The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-09-30
Mr.. Seymour Steps Out
WaShington Starr

washington SC0T) [
The first essay Of George W. Norris, irty-one-year-o
grocer Of Broken Bow, Neb, into the field Of national
politics, has created all the stir that he could have hoped
for. Indeed, there are evidences that the manifestations of
the case have become embarrassing to Mr.. Norris and
the persons connected with his short-lived candidacy in
the Republican nomination against Senator George W..
Norris.
Victor Seymour, who has recently been assistant to
Vice Chairman Steiwer of the Republican senatorial
campaign committee in the Denver headquarters, yester-
day announced his resignation. Mr.. Seymour, whom no
one about Republican national headquarters appears to
know. according to the testimony given before the Nye
slush fund committee in its inquiry into the Republican
Grocer Norris filing for the senatorial race.
The Republican high command quite naturally does
obvious trick to embarrass the party's senatorial candi-
date in Nebraska this year. There are plenty Of Repub-
ltcan leaders in high places who have no use for sena-
tor Norris, who abandoned the party ticket in 1925. and
gave his support to Alfred E. Smith and who has con-
sstenty fought the Hoover administration in@he senate
during the last two years. They may believe that sena-
tor Norris should not have sought, under the circum-
stances, the Republican nomination to succeed himself.
But they have no desire to see the party organization
affair. or to see it accused Of attempting by q trick to
accomplish what it could not otherwise accomplish
the elimination Of Senator Norris as a Republican can
didate to succeed himself.
So far the senatorial committee inquiry has placed the
responsibility for inducing Grocer Norris to get into the
race against his widely known namesake upon Victor
Seymour. Who, II any one, was back Of MI. Seymour,
has not yet been developed. It is clear from the testi-
mony given before the Nye committee, however, that Mr..
seymour 0aO COQSlueIaDle financial packing IN .Cn0S I'M
~dertaking. The matter should be cleared up. II the
witnesses appearing before the senate committee are to
be believed. the utmost care was taken to cover up" the
tracks Of those who were putting forward Grocer Norris
as an opponent Of the senator.
Mr.. Seymour, when he appeared before the senate COM
mittee some time ago. denied that he had anything to
do with Grocer Norris candidacy for the senatorial
nomination. More recently, however. other witnesses, In
Guiding Paul johnson. attorney for the grocer. and 3
reported former secretary Of Seymour, have testified
that MI. Seymour had q great deal to do with the at
fair and had supplied Norris with funds to carry out
the program.
The whole business has taken on q farcical, II rather
sordid, aspect. Much is forgiven In political battles. But
tr1ckery In politics leaves a bad impression. The only
reason that Grocer Norris was persuaded to file for the
senatorial nomination was in order to make It impossible
to count the ballots for either one Of the Norrises and
to force Senator Norris to run as an Independent. APP
parently those who were backing the plot were anxious
to have no publicity in the matter. They were willing
to do In an underhand manner what they were not WILL
ing to do openly.
Mr.. Seymour has now resigned his connection with
the Republican senatorial campaign committee "foF the
good Of the party" as he says. MI. Seymour insists that
he has done nothing wrong" Doubtless. however, TIL
senatorial committee will feel somewhat relieved at the
course Mr.. Seymour has taken.