The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-06-12
Bismarck and Politics

need only take stock Of its relation to the present state
political campaign to realize that fact.
With a state election less than two weeks away, Bis
marck goes about its normal business and at least 10
other topics Of conversation can attract more interest.
It did not use to be so and the answer Is worth seek
Ing.
True. both political groups complain that there is some
political apathy and that 1t Is general throughout the
state: But apathy would not account for the change ap-
-parent.in Bisunarcka relation to politics.
Probably the real answer lies In the returns of the re.
cent census. Bismarck has grown in the last 10 years.
The business and commercial interests now strike the
dominating note in the ctty's consciousness. The polit-
deal interest has passed from the first rank and has be-
come secondary. It is q good thing for the city. e
For It IS the business men and the professional men
who. In the long run. are the spark plug in the motor
which win carry Bismarck to greater heights. both of
population and Importance. Their primary interest LES
IN building up the. town. They have Investments here
and they have . natural. desire to protect and enhance
those Investments. The things which build Bismarck
build business and the things which build business build
Bismarck.
1t Is improbable that Bismarck ever will lose its place
- the center Of the states political system. In every
state the capital city is most interested in politics and
It is inevitable. The political complexion of the party
"a power determines the source Of the bread and butter
OF many persons on the state pay roll. Their interest is
keen aud they are justified in demonstrating It.
But granted clean and reasonably efficient government.
business men are more Interested in other things. There
are atslefst = dozen factors which contribute more to
the prosperity Of q city and . business than the outcome
Ola political campaign. The time has passed when the
political stand OF . business man plays any great part
anhas success or failure. His patronage comes from per-
sons who like his goods or his service. Few customers
inquire about his political beliefs and 20 merchant would
cnauense the political beliefs Of a customer. A dollar
Y g dollar and anyone who possesses one is welcome to
spend It with whon1soever he pleases.
There no gainsayng the Importance Of the state
pay rolls 70 Bismarck. They contribute q large part to
the stability and prosperity Of the city. But business
men know that. whatever political group may be "tn," the
pay rolls WIN be just about the same. The business in
terest IN. Bismarck q elsewhere, no longer feels deeplv
about the political outcome.
Bismarck probably was the last city in the state to
adopt this attitude. That is because Of the fact, that
political feeling probably was more intense here. But
that political feeling is passing.
It is : good thing.
Everyone is entitled to vote and should vote his ner-
sonal convictiopk That Is the way Of tree and dem
ocratic government and without free and democratic
government bush1ess would be In hard straits indeed.
But most Of bismarck win content itself with voting.
And that also, u . good thing.
The answer lies In one major fact.
Bismarck has become : real city.