The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-04-01
Danger in a Stampede

It is always impolite to look q gift horse in the mouth
but everyone has the constitutional right to look at the
horse to determine if it really Is a gift.
A case in point is the recent statement Of John w
Carr, lieutenant governor Of the state and jamestown
most prominent citizen, urging abandonment Of the CAPT
tai removal effort by his home city.
The Tribune, along with the rest Of Bismarck, ap-
plauded the statement in so far as 1t deserved applause.
It did not. however. toss its editorial hat wildly in the air
or heap upon the head OF the lieutenant governor UNI
restrained iaudations. It doubted the ACCESSIBILITY Of do
ing so in view Of the situation which Bismarck faces and
must continue to face unless sanity Is restored to the
Jamestown capital removal proponents.
1t has been obvious from the first that it was to Bis
marcks advantage to keep the capital removal question
out OF partisan politics. When an attempt was made to
make a partisan issue of the matter In the legislature,
this newspaper discouraged the idea. The first effort
was made by L. L. Twichell, house majority leader and
dictator Of one of North Dakotas political factions. It
failed.
The next attempt. primarily designed as r%etribution for
the Twichell effort. was made by Twicheus political OPP
ponents. It also failed. II the legislature did nothing
else, it demonstrated that it sought fair play and a square
deal on the question.
In view of his three months Of silence, Mr.. Cars
statement at this time may fairly be interpreted as one
designed to protect his own interests In the event that
he again becomes a candidate for a state office. In ef-
feet, it was merely recognition by Mr.. Carr and his friends
of the essential unpopularity OF the Jamestown attempt
to steal the capital
His political friends In Bismarck have seized upon the
Carr statement as an opportunity to make Mr.. Carr
appear as a potential savior for Bismarck in its hour OF
trouble. That he can fully meet the requirements for a
Messiah In this case seems doubtful, in view OF the ap-
parent and continued unwillingness Of the capital re-
moval proponents to withdraw the petitions now on file
with the secretary Of state.
After all, that is the essential thing. Until they are
Withdrawn, the matter still is an issue. And until they
are Withdrawn 1t seems inadvtsable for Bismarck to per-
init anyone. regardless Of party or faction. to attempt to
make political capital Of this situation. For that rea-
son, it seems wise to withhold applause until definite
and tangible results have been achieved. When that
fortuitous event comes to pass, applause will be In order
and all who have had a hand In 1t will be entitled to
their share.
Analysis Of the record dscloses some items which Bis
marck residents should consider before giving enthusiast
tic endorsement to any political ofticeholder. or faction.
on the strength of his attitude toward the capital re-
moval question alone. When Mr.. Carr, on January %,
made a statement to the jamestown capital removal
committee in q telegram sent from Bismarck, he be-
gan a personal record on the question which should be
considered by Bismarck folk As they read his most recent
declaration.
~--- ILL.,