The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-05-07
SENATOR NELSON'S SUCCESSOR

The death of Senator Nelson
nearly two years before the end OF
his term creates a situation which.
while not unprecedented, is UNI
usual. The law imposes upon the
Governor the duty of temporarily
filling the vacancy by appointment.
until it can be regularly filled AZ
the next general election in Novem-
Der. 1924.
But Governor Prcns is himself
the man who should be appointed,
since he is the man who, so far as
can now be determined. will b"
terminated for the place by the
dominant party Of the State. He Is
the man whom Senator Nelson
most desired to see as his own
successor. He is the strong man
of the Republican Party in Mime
sofa. He has twice been elected
Governor, the last time in the face
of IA wide movement of revolt that
carried down to defeat other lead
crs like Senator Kellogg. If an
election could be held next week.
there isn't much doubt that j. A.
O. Preus would be chosen Senator.
Then there is the situation at
Washington. BY death and defeat
Minnesota has lost her command
ing position in the Senate. She
needs TO send to Washington as
the junior Senator next December
Il strong. forceful man. That, OF
course. is Governor Preus.
We're the Governor to make
merely stop-gap appointment.
were he to use the appointment
merely to confer a temporary hon
or on some one who would not be a
candidate for election in 1924, he
would delay by two years the work
Of regaining for Minnesota her
high place in the Senate and tn"
councils of the Nation.
The delicate political balance of
the new Senate is an important
consideration, too. The forces OF
conservatism, such conservatism as
Minnesota really believes in, need
reinforcement 50 as TO close up the
breach left by Senator Nelson's
death.
What, then, stands in the way?
PE ely personal considerations -
the natural hesitancy of Governor
Preus to bring about his own adj
varcement by resignation and by
delegation of the duty of appoint
mCnl to his successor, Lieutenant
Governor Collins. This hesitancy
does the Governor credit, but in
the face of the growing and wide
sentiment throughout the State. it
should not stand in the way OF the
only proper solution.
Especially is this case, since Mr..
Collins has demonstrated his en-
tire fitness to serve we'll as Cover
nor, and since he enjoys wide pop
ulHr esteem and affection, which
have in way acclaimed him for
election in 1924.
Moreover. with the adjournment
Of the Legislature the most i'm
portant part of the work for which
Governor PreuS was elected has
been done and there will be no
Othe: regular session during the
remainder Of the term. And if Mr..
Collins were to succeed to the
Governorship in this manner, he
would really have no option but to
pursue the course laid out for him
by the circumstances of the case.
If there are political risks in
vOlVed in this course OF action for
ei.nec Governor Preus or Lieuten-
ant Governor Collins. they should
be taken, because the logic of the
situation demands that the Cover
nor should step into the shoes Of
his dead mentor and friend.
We verify believe that such de-
cisiOn will be generally approved
by the people OF Minnesota.-M Min
nedrOlis Journal.