The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-01-13
A New Political Party Is Old Stuff
(Hettinger County Her:

NdetClnger county herald
A prosecuting gentleman once told us:
my church is a new one. 1t hasn't a large member
ship as yet, but il is the kind Of church that everyone
can join"
We were reminded of this man again this week when
the Herald received an invitation to join in the move
ment to start a new political organization, the PRO
gressive Republican Party of North Dakota"
The new organization offers as an inducement that
all progreSSiveS in the state will consider that they have
a special invitation to attend. This includes all pro-
gressiyes whether they are Nonpartisans, I. v. AS or
Democrats"
Evidently it is the kind of a political party anyone
may join-if he or she wishes.
The name OF the new organization is intriguing. All
of us wish to be thought progressive, truly progressive
and most Of us consider ourselves Republicans, whether
Of the Hoover variety, Independent, Nonpartisan, stand
pat or wishy- washy.
Of us have an ambition to be a political boss; a nice.
modest political boss, noted for sagacity, fairness and
ability to manage men and affairs of state, but with q
good big stick with which to enforce discipline. If nee
eSsary.
Certainly, let us have another political party in North
Dakota. We have skipped a season or two without start
ing one. The time calls for strong men," with heads
above the crowds" with strong voices and sun-kissed
noses; new leaders and some grand new cause to fight fr.
build a new political party. After we get it all nicely
built a few smart politicians will take it over. They
will use the machine to put over pet projects.
Real politicians are men who have the time to work
at the job the year around. through election years and
Oft years. Political leaders do not get that way by
accident They have political ability. They have the
A0AAAANAN ~ AA0Ay AANAANo AANy AAOAA VA0 SSAAAAASASS
by shooting square with their friends and straight at
their enemies. They set themselves up as targets for
little men to shoot at. They learn to keep level in victory
and to turn personal defeats to their own advantage.
They are smart. We admire them. Every state needs
them. We need them to cuss. We need political bosses
to tie on the blame Of everything that goes wrong In
a big stupidly-voting commonwealth.
The time is ripe for the building of a new political
organization, SO hearty everyone says. It just happens
that nearly everyone Is wrong. What is really needed
is to do away with a few surplus political parties In
North Dakota. Leave two. That's enough. Call one the
Republican party and the other the Democratic. Lei
each of these .wo parties stand for something and let
each individual stand for his party.
We don't need a new party. We do need new LIE
parties, the Nonpartisan League, the I. v. A., the
Farmer-Labor, the Communists. Then make the old
parties stand for something. II the Republican party
will not progress fast enough, all may 60 Democratic
TN unity there Is strength Splitting any party into
many little sideshows displays weakness
Mr. Harry N. Tucker, chairman Of the executive com
nittee, Steele. NJ D., asked this paper to express ar
opinion, and we will reply to his request as follows:
New parties are q pest. But don't let anything VI
say stop you. Go right ahead and organize. Thousand
Of North Dakotans will follow your lead for = time. i
you are big enough, YOU and your friends may cash IL
on the idea. It costs you money; the personal advertising
may be worth something. The Democrats may Give YOU
q political appointment II you make enough noise. WI
will not attempt to tell you that you are making Z
mistake, but Townley could tell you that people do moi
invest their money in new political parties as thcJ
used to. To be sure you are wrong-but then 60 ahead
We forgive you al except that you are not original.