The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-02-15
POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY

The United States of America
with its prosperity, its freedom, il;
progression, it's unlimited oppor-
tunties for the most humble, and
its protection to it's citizenry. has
been made so through its form Of
government - the most wonderful
and practical in the history Of the
World.
And that Government, through
practically all our national exist
ence, has been by a Political
Party.
Through the socaiied party form
of government we have developed 4
great Nation. because our Govern
ment has been, for most Of the
time, in control of one or the other
Of two great political parties. At
no time have the leaders OF these
parties differed on the great
fundamentals of constitutional
government, but have divided only
on ways and means Of administering
government under the .Constitu-
ton. Through the convention sys-
TEN the greatest men in our his
tory have been called to public Of
flee, and men Of large business and
professional affairs have been
drafted to the, ..Country's service.
Such men have accepted the re-
sponsibilities of office BECAUSE Of
the feeling that they were called to
service and that back of them was
great political party whose prin
ciples were to be upheld in the add
ministration of their particular Of
fees. The party also felt a sense
OF responsibility to the people for
the men it selected and for this
reason the best brains of the Coun-
try were available for public
office.
But later came the political
dreamer who attracted to his no.
tons the acknowledgment and
political demagogue who saw
way to worm into office through
the very attractive and higH-
sounding theory of direct prim-
aries Many of the states are
passing through these primary ex-
periences with disastrous results,
and it is proposed by the Legisla
ture of North Dakota to still fur
Their extend this hypocritical prim-
airy to the extent of practically
abolishing political parties in
North Dakota and substituting at
least temporarily, government by
factions.
Senate Bill No. 233. passed by
the North Dakota Senate last week,
will bring about just such a condi-
ton in North Dakota, and The
Forum sincerely hopes that it will
meet defeat in the House.
When the Nonpartisan League
was in its full strength in North
Dakota, The Forum fought it Wig
orously, for many "strong-arm"
methods proposed and carried into
effect that were designed solely to
give them longer lease of official
power in the State. 1t is just as
pronounced in it's opposition to
any measure proposed by the In
dependents that is not advanced
fer the sole purpose of bringing
about the greatest good to the
greatest number of all our citizens.
Senate Bill, No. 233 is "strong-
arm" measure TO The Forum it
looks like an attempt to simply
control another election, by the
force of power, instead of provid-
ing permanent and sensible law
on which elections in this State
may be simplified and conducted
in the best interests of all the peo-
pie.
Instead of still further compli-
eating the election machinery let
us rather find way to return to
the ancient landmarks of our Con-
stitutiOnal Government, when men
OF brains and ability will feel it an
homer to be drafted to service, with
the backing of strong Political
Party. A mere temporary
on the Nonpartisan
League is not a sufficient excuse
for the enacting Of Senate Bill 233
into law. 1t is thugs like this that
will perpetuate the League-or
raise up something worse.
Rather government lily Political
PARTIES than government by Fac
tions.-Fargo Forum.
l. D.