The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-03-09
The Gins" Versus the 'AOuts"

The "Ins" Versus the 'Outs"
Two states have been proposed for the voters
of North Dakota next June. Also there are
two platforms to be considered. There is
distinction between the two platforms, but not
material difference.
On the one hand, the Nonpartisan League
recommends an expansion of state industrial
ism, which Of course cannot be had without
legislative enactment, SO some OF the planks
which sound extreme can be dismissed without
serious consideration. Voters in both League
and l. v. A. camps are not seriously contenl-
plating an enlargement of the so-called state
industrial program, but both factions have en-
dorsed the system as it now exists; the League
because it's membership honestly believes IN
such economics, the l. v. A. because there is
not the courage in that organization to come
out boldly and wipe the slate Of state owner
ship which it privately condemns.
So then the issues are not closely Joined. It
Is to be the usual campaign between the "Ins"
and the "Outs," struggle to control patron
age, to administer the flesh pots. The Mill at
Grand Forks will continue in any event to
grind No. Hard; the State Bank at Bismarck
will operate as usual; state employees will sit
up nights trying to pick winner and the
farmers, if they are wise, will do as Will Rogers
said they were doing in 1owa-"Having given
up hope of farm relief, they are using fer
tilizer."
North Dakota voters are going to be enter
tanned by the same kind Of political argument
heard from the hastings since the recall cleo
tion It behooves them to select the man best
fitted for the office, regardless Of the faction
to which he belongs.
The Tribune hopes to print statement from
every leading candidate on the state and ma
tional ticket before the next primary day
dawns, together with short resume Of the
candidates political record. This is to be done
without partisanism or rancor. No good can
be achieved by attempting to picture North Da-
kota as sort of bolshevistic retreat. The /.
v. A. will do the state and it's business men a
distinct injury by waving the red flag. The
time to correct matters was at the special ses-
sion, dominated by the Twichell faction. None
of the Independents proposed constructive
measure to relieve the taxpayers of the evil
they rant about in conventions and on the hust-
ings and then promptly forget in the legisla-
tive halls where constructive work can be done.
North Dakota voters are not going to be
fooled or cajoled by the Twichell brand Of po-
litical sophistry. The slate damned through at
jamestown must go before the voters on its
merits; certainly the platform which begs the
issue, as usual, is not going to impress the
voters-they know whoever wins, things are
going to move pretty much as they have since
the recall-they know, too, that the legislature
| must face the real issue before many moons.
There are excellent men nominated on both
tickets, and the Jamestown convention reflects
decisively that the two dominant factions are
going to continue the industrial program and
the voters should not be confused on the issues
there is no outstanding issue except to select
men best fitted for the jobs. There need be
no great beating Of the political tom-toms.
Townley's bait-can is not completely empty,
judging from the jamestown platform.