The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-03-30

consistency when they print two edi-
torials in adjoining columns, one edi-
torial championing the continuance of
the state ownership program, which
has proven itself to be failure, and
the other bemoaning the fact that the
farmer is obliged to pay ALL of the
taxes, which have been so unreason-
ably increased by that same program.
! There is peculiar feature of the
late nonpartisan league convention at
Fargo-so many of the endorses
are undecided whether to accept the
endorsement or not. This condition
is somewhat of an indication Of the
strength of the league at this time.
Judge M. J. Englert appreciates their
evidence of trust but does not want
the endorsement. Obert A. Olson has
stated that the endorsement given his
name was a pleasant surprise but
that he is not prepared to state
! whether he will be a candidate or
mot. Chief Justice r. H. Grace of
the supreme court has declined to say
whether he will accept the endorse
ment or not. Miss Amidon has stat
ed most emphatically that she is not
candidate and will not accept the
endorsement. A few of the "bitter-
enders" have signified their intention
of accepting the endorsement but
that is to be expected. A few short
months ago when the nonpartisan
league was at the zenith of its pow
err and condescended to endorse any
candidate, that candidate was SO high
lily elated that a refusal was unheard
lof. Of course no man wishes to en-
ter a political fight when there is a
very strong possibility of defeat. The
losing side is not popular side. This
may account for the temerity of the
endorsed candidates in accepting the
endorsement The majority of the
candidates who are undecided wleth-
err to accept or not are men VINO
have spent some time in the polit;-
cal ring of the state. They have
never been accused of keeping their
ear to the ground' and the sounds
they have heard during the past few
months have evidently convinced
them that league endorsement is
not opportune at this time. When
an endorsement by political party
will insure the election of a canti-
date that endorsement is eagerly
sought. When the same endorsement
may he detrimental to a persons can
didacy it is handled with gloves. The
manner in which astute politicians
look at endorsements by political par
ties is a good barometer OF the
strength of that party.
The non-partisan convention, in
naming Lynn J. Frazier as their can
didate for the senate, spoke of him
as the strongest man they could put
on the ticket. They based their &C
ton on the fact that he had offended
no faction and would be the one can
didate upon whom all factions could
unite. This, in our opinion, is one of
the strongest condemnations the for
mer governor could receive. There is
an old saying, proven by past exper-
fence, that the man who is a friend
of everyone and has no enemies is
not good man to place confidence
in. We do not all think alike and a
man who has opinions Of his own,
and expresses those opinions, is GER
tain to make a certain percentage If
the people who know him angry. If
an employee performs certain acts
under orders received from his super
ior and those acts later prove detri-
mental to the public the employee is
not, us a rule, blamed by the public.
The blame is laid at the door of the
superior. Frazier, during his term
Of office, was in the position Of the
employee, in the minds of the voters
of the state. He made mistakes and
a greet many of them but he has
never ro:nivcd much of the blame for
those mistakes. The majority of the
electu-;>>. have felt that he was
merely (. too-willing tool of the lea
que leaders and was following out
their orders. He has not been cred
tied with the power to see matters;
in their true light and it has been
the concensus of opinion that his
more strenuous thinking has been
done for him in St. Paul. While this
condition might absolve him from di-
rect blame it is not very high rec
ommendation for candidate for u.
S. senator. We now have senator
whom, rumor has it, owes his elec~