The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-05-16
(Official City. State and County Newspaper
Mr.. Shafer Changes Front

George F. Shafer, Independent Republican
candidate for governor, has enunciated the
policy under which he will seek election as gov
ernor in June It indicates a remarkable change
of front so far as the state industries are con-
cerned.
At the Independent convention in Devils
Lake two years ago the I. V. A. faction in state
politics went specifically on record as pledging
themselves to the policy of disseminating the
mill and elevator as soon as possible.
In speech on the convention floor Mr..
Shafer cited its heavy losses. He declared it
constituted continuing hazard and menace to
the state" Shafer voiced the sentiment in
ringing speech preceding adoption OF the report
of the, resolutions committee.
Today he is definitely on record in a recent
speech in Grand Forks as accepting the state
mill and elevator a going institution, de-
serving of the best possible management that
can be had.
Two years ago at the Devils Lake convention
and in other speeches, Mr.. Shafer called the
Bank of North Dakota political monstrosity
He declared it was without place in the state
government" He was roundy applauded.
Today his position on this issue is modified
to the extent that he opposes the creation of
system of branch county banks of the Bank of
North Dakota financed by public funds to en-
gage in the field of commercial banking.
So, happily, is Mr.. Shafer reconciled to an in
stitution that two years ago he called political
monstrosity.
Time and ambition are most melowing in
fluences.
Yet consistency still is, presumably. jewel.
Probably Mr.. Shafer has committed no grave
political error. Certainly he is entitled to his
opinions and it still is true that a wise man
changes his mind but fool never. Clearly Mr..
Shafer has changed his mind.
The Tribune is not attempting to roll the
3D. %ho Of <ho tool
charnel house of the past. The facts are plain.
The issue in this campaign is clearly the
ambition of the "outs" to serve about the flesh
pots in the vantage points now occupied by the
''ins" Motivated by ambition Mr.. Shafer has
skillfully trimmed his sails to the vagrant
breeze. They are filling rapidly.
Meantime his friends have weighed anchor
make the mare CO.
Mr.. Shafer sacrificed his ambition to be the
Independent Republican candidate for the Uni
ted States senate when his friends sounded the
recall in the interests of Mr.. Nestos, another
gentleman of much ambition, made to order for
trading purpose in the campaign now being
conducted in North Dakota by the political
s'outs' to hand the horns of goathood to the
political "ins."
Yet the situation is not without it's hopeful
aspects. It offers some opportunities for re-
construction. No candidate in this campaign
can longer declare that state socialism is an
issue. If it is an ISSUE all factions are recon.
ciled to it. If there remain holdouts who still
must kiss and make up they are far out in the
woods.
What happy family we have become The
lion and the lamb, politically, are lain down to
Gether in our own North Dakota. Both the
"ins'' and the "outs' beckon to the people. Tit
'4ins' are the more consistent. They go int
this campaign with that distinct advantage.
Meantime the status of the mill and elevator
| Is unchanged. Without doubt here also tim
will prove mellowing influence.
Politics is great game. Personal ambition
| Is fearful and wonderful thing.