The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-10-04

Maddox Maintains Neutral
Attitude Toward Hoover
and Smith
BY BYRON PRICE

northwestern states no longer speal
Of the anti-Hoover farm movements
~ . myth. They realize that
through Wisconsin, Minnesota and
the Dakotas they must turn In ant
fight, and they are doing It.
North Dakota il one Of the state,
+ which both parties are claiming Just
now with much earnestness. But or
both sides these claims are coupled
with . reminder that much work re.
mains to be done before election day
and there are leaders among the
Republicans and Democrats alike
who say quite candidly. when they
speak privately, that II the election
were held today it might very well
turn out . horse race.
Thus has tradition become dis.
turbed In state which four wears
ago stood BY Coolidge in the face Of
the La Toilette crusade and gave
Davis only $4,000 votes out Of q TO-
tai Of nearly 100000.
Borah Follows Smith
Governor Smith recently has
traversed the state, and his western
filings 1T the Republican farm poli.
cies were broadcast over the north
west. On his trail have come q
swarm Of Republican spellbinders,
including Senators Brookhart and
Borah, preaching Hoover.
The outstanding state leaders Of
the farm organizations. are. In turn.
redoubling their pleas that Hoover
be defeated.
Although North Dakota was not
the hardest hit by the period Of dis
tress in the farm states, her farm.
ers and business men nevertheless
have passed through some trying
times.
Since November /, 1920. there
have been 307 permanent failures
among the North Dakota state
banks. Land values have decreased.
and present wheat prices do not helm
the Republican campaign.
Most OF the other issues have been
crowded into the shadow. Prohibi-
ton is talked about, but with no
great show Of confidence on either
side. The state is rather normally
dry, yet . large percentage Of its
country population is German and
wet. >
Just three months ago, q proposal
to repeal the state prohibition
amendment was lost, 96,837 to
1886.
The religious issue has had little
public prominence.
Politics Complicated
The difficulties Of both parties.
from an organization standpoint.
are increased by the complicated
plight Of local politics. The real
lines OF political division within the
state run cross-wise of the old par
" lines. The names Republican and
democrat are preserved on the bal
lot. but the prime distinctions are
rather between the Nonpartisan
League on one side, and the "Inde-
pendents" on the other.
State and national politics do not
mix, and state politics is held para
mount by most candidates.
This situation has produced IN
1873 30 queer . political phenome-
non as Frazier Maddox head
quarters" managing campaign for
the reelection Of Senator Frazier. :
Nonpartisan Lacquer, running on
the Republican ticket, and Governor
Maddox, Nonpartisan Lacquer.
seeking the governorship on the
Democratic ticket.
Frazier and his colleague, Senator
Nye, have said they are for hoover.
although the Nonpartisan wing al
the Republican state COMMITTEES re-
fused to endorse him. Maddox
was q guest on Governor Smiths
train when he crossed the state. and
says he stands with the farm orran-
lzations who are opposing Hoover.
Maddock's Republican opponent.
George =. Shafer, is expected to
support Hoover but to say little
Is Typical Farmer
Governor addock il farmer.
who looks upon himself as a typicai
member Of the farm organizations
IN revolt against the Republican
nominee. He was elected lieuten-
ant governor two years ago on the
Republican ticket. Last June he
was chairman Of the Lowden.
pledged North Dakota delegation to
Enc KANSAS City convention.
a little more than . month ago;
when word Of the death Of Governor
Sorne reached him on his farm, 10
c.m 9 s oown rom 2 wheat binder
up his new duties ct the old red
Drl ss,s SAT- e S capitol: j.
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OSt1Uu VA tu1B 0ocClO0 or thD Colln.