The Ward County independent., 1922-11-23
J. F., I. O'COnnor Blames McCumber
and Religious Fight for Defeat

and Religious Fight for Defeat
Another political battle is history.
The Independents have won the great
est victory since the fight commenced
against the Nonpartisan League in
North Dakota. The overwhelming
endorsement of Governor Nestos, the
election of an Independent Industrial
Commission, control of the Senate
and of the House should make every
good citizen rejoice. Our state is
again on firm foundation; the as
sault upon constitutional government
has been repulsed. Our credit in the
Nation is re-esta blished.
The returns Indicate that | will be
defeated for the Senatorship. 1t was
far more important to save the state
, than to win /; seat in the Senate. If
one considers private gain and per-
sonal comfort, this defeat should be
welcomed as blessing. 1t was not
my wish to engage in this contest as
preferred the practice of the law
but yielded to the earnest appeal Of
my friends and believed that we could
keep the independent forces together
and present a united front against the
NAL administration Of the League.
Two factors turned the scales in
favor Of Ex-Governor Frazier; the
influence of Senator Porter J. Nc
Cumber and the intense religious
fight. There should be no hard feel
ings against Senator McCumber who
directed his appointees in North Da
kota to give what assistance they
could to the Nonpartisan League.
Senator McCumber has been out of
touch with the affairs in North Da-
kota, matters have been misrcpre-
sented to him and with his eyes
watching the setting sun of life, the
bitterness in his heart ovcrcamc his
better Judgment :-.
1t was discOuraginG to return to
my city after spending seven weeks
fighting for sound Constitutional Gov
rrnu"ut for the protection Of the
homes and property rights Of our
people to find that a religious issue
had been injected into the campaign
which WAS considered more important
than Constitutional Government or
the prosperity and happiness Of the
people of the stat" Of North Dakota.
The people of the state should not
misunderstood the situation in Grand
Forks city. Among my most loyal
/ Z.
women Of Grand Forks representing
the plot against me, they refused to
rctaIiate by voting against the Indc-
pendent ticket as the result conclus-
done otherwise Governor Ncstos
would not have carried the city of
Grand Forks. The ward containing
the largest number OF people of nay
faith gave my opponent the largest
majority. They were lead to believe
that my opponent could better serve
their economic interest and he rc
c2ivcd their support. Those Of my
faith refuse to permit religious en-
sidrrations to influence their voting
while others insisted that this Issue
was paramount.
have no regrets but a heart burst
ing with gratitude for the good men
and women who have made 50 many
*1criticcs during the past six years in
the great fight for Constitutional
Government. am not discouraged.
Ny services are at the disposal Of the
people of my state; and ! would start
again and contribute my mite to the
cause OF good government and for the
happiness Of al! the people irr"sprct-
i've Of race or creed.
With unbroken faith in the God Of
all creeds and in Christ who thought
love and not hatred forge ctting the de
feat of yesterday, remembering the
obligations to the noble men ard
women with whom l have fought for
six years and with deep gratitude to
the powerful! assistance Of the lnde
pendent Press, the executive of our
state and the other Republican lead
ers, turn to the tasks Of today with
the hope that l shall hold the respect
and confidence of the more than 10000
people who believed in the principles
of Government l represent.
J. +. T. O'CONNOR.