The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-07-20

raid on the pocketbook of the farmer
and of course designed to fatten the
pocketbook of those who are fortunate
enough of getting the job of "pluck
ing" the farmer, and with a bountifu
crop in sight the astute Townley sees
mighty good browsing in this state
even under the adverse political con.
ditions. Another scheme to be thresh.
ed out is the placing in the field OF
a third ticket this fall. The leaguers
are not satisfied with losing the in
dustrial commission and they want
another try at that through the third
ticket. Then drive is to be made
for the legislature. They must have
that to put through their program of
state socialism. And by the way don't
you think we have had enough of
that? 1t is common talk that in this
district third candidate is to be put
in the field for the legislature to run
on stickers in the fall, and that man
will no doubt be Mr.. Johnson, of
Wimbledon. Summing it all up the
Bismarck meeting next Saturday is
going to be one of vast Importance to
all concerned because a desperate eff
fort is going to be made to regain
control of the state administration by
the league forces and the independ-
ents will need to present a united
front to the enemy at the fall election.
A large majority of the people of the
state have had enough Of the nonpar-
tisan league management as is evil
denced by the vote in June. Mr.. Mes
tos had fine majority as did most of
the state ticket, and putting the re-
publican vote together with the vote
of the democrats, the majority for the
continuation Of the independent adj
ministration as against the nonparti-
san clique is big enough to suit any,
body. North Dakota will not go back
to state socialism and loss of credit,
but we simply want to show that the
Townley forces are not sleeping at
the switch.
The people of North Dakota no
sooner get through with an election
primary election, if you please than
the disgruntled ones Immediately set
about trying to work up sentiment !
to put third tirket in the field. 1t |
is mighty poor way to do, we think.
For months the people are worked up
to high pitch over this primary cleo
ton, then finally 80 to the polls in
a free Tor all to nominate candidates,
the voters register their choice: but
the losers Ia no. seem to want to
bow to the will Of the majority, but
go out getting disappointed ones to-
gether and finally get third ticket in
the field. The whole primary system
is lot of bunk. Years ago when this
sy stem was first advocated we broke
our fool neck almost ''hol]ering" for
This law which is a piece of expensive
machinery with very little good at
,ached to it. 1t seemed to offer a
for all the political ills the .
flesh was supposed to be heir to, to
10 away with boss control and packed :
according to the high .
deals of the trainers of the primary =
aw, and what have we got for it all ,
"a lemon, that's all. We are COM r
oelled to have two elections year. ,
Zach one OF which costs the tax payers .
If the state at least quarter If a
million of dollars in election expense, :
hen after it is all over instead of let !
ing the high men at the polls be the -,
Winners another election is necessary e
n the fall and the candidates have to y
un the gamut of public approval once !,
more at another big expense and wor- .
y to all concerned. We might Just
IS we'll get it done with at .,ne elec-
ion. Between the primary election
md the general election in the fall the
yed in the wool politicians that lost !
ut in the primary election keep "
hings stirred up by advocating more v
ickets with the hope that some polit- v
cal Moses will come along and lead t
he disgruntled ones out of the slough In
defeat onto the upper strata of po- "
tical success and land them in fat "a
obs with salary which Il
what they mostly desire. 1t is no n
esire on the part of most of these h
'sers to serve the people with ability tt
nd fidelity, but rather a mercenary
lterest for what the job pays. I'm W
Ell the present primary law of this tt
tate a bunch of long haired theorists n
an come in from all the corners of O.
1e earth and with oily tongue and u
'ctful manipulation can convince III,
ven many sensible folks to join in fc
Re procession to the political land w