The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-30

SMALL. SPENCER & LEvIN0e
Uncorporated)
Formerly G. Logan Payne Co.
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
Mr.. Carr's Statement
Few developments Of recent weeks hold more interest
for Bismarck residents that the statement issued Sat-
urday by Lieutenant Governor John w. Carr with refer
erce to the proposal Of some residents of jamestown,
his home city, to take the state capital to that place.
Bismarck persons who have made it their business to
keep track Of the capital removal movement as best they
could, have known for many weeks that there was in
ternal dissension in jamestown as the result of the capt
tai removal effort.
jamestown men who were inclined at the beginning
to think the idea unwise and impractical have been con-
WINGED that their original reactions were sound. Because
a more or less irresponsible group had inflalned the
community. however. they felt 1t prudent to keep their
mouths shut. At least in conversation with the world
outside of the Stutsman county seat.
It remained, then, for MI. Carr to take the lid off this
situation, which many persons knew existed, and dis
close to the public gaze the internal strife which the
Jamestown movement has cngendered in his home COM
munity.
Mr.. Cars reaction to the proposal was no secret in
Bismarck. He was unfriendly to it and thought 1t un-
wise from the first. making q declaration to that effect
in a speech at Mandan during the recent legislative ses-
sion. For reasons Of policy, however, he, along with other
jamestown residents Of similar viewpoint, maintained q
discreet silence.
Because Mr.. Carr is expected to run for political Of
flee again, it was to be expected that he would wait
until 1t was clear which way the cat would jump before
announcing his position to the people of the state gen.
orally.
Viewed from that angle, MI. Cars statement was
made in~political self-defense. H could hardly expect
to get elected to any state office il he were forced to
carry the burden Of the obvious unfairness OF the James,
town proposal.
While Bismarck residents will welcome the statement
and give it their applause, therefore. it is hardly to be
assumed that they will see in it q wholly disinterested
declaration Of principle. It was too long delayed for that
and must, in the light Of the conditions which Mr.. Carr
cites in his statement, be listed as q document. dictated
at least in part, by expediency.
As to the accuracy Of MI. Cars predictions Of the
effect Of the movement upon the business people Of
jamestown, there can be no question. The old principle
of who takes up the sword shall perish by the sword"
holds true when applied to communities as well as TO
individuals. A city which attempts sabotage and IN
fairness usually can expect like treatment from citizens
elsewhere who resent such an attitude.
Bismarck is grateful to M. Carr for taking the lid
off the capital removal question as 1t exists In James
town and exposing it to public view. even though the
wholly uninitiated.
FOuUC6lly IL 6uOu1Q pIOVC III oAG AotAACA eAA0AA
otherwise, to the lieutenant governor. It Will lose him
few friends in jamestown and stutsman county, even
though 1t may fan into vigorous flame the enmity OF the
ardent ~partisans Of the capital removal proposal.
In Bismarck and elsewhere throughout the state it
will make him friends, for. regardless Of the motives
which caused publication Of his views at this time, it was
Q sound and clear statement Of the truth. The facts
which he rected As debating q change in policy. on the
part of the capital removal enthusiasts lose nothing of
.~~ o~S ~aeeo~ohIooaec ononcn &hov o1paodv hod HAY,
cited by Bismarck men. The truth, in cases such as
this, always bears repeating.
The plea that an entire city be not indicted because
Of the actions of some Of its citizens also is we'll taken.
As this newspaper previously has pointed out. and the
people of Bismarck and North Dakota have fully real
lied, a project so iniquitously conceived could hardly
win major. support In any city Of reasonable minds.
Despite the flamboyant claims and untrue statements
which have originated from the headquarters Of James
towns Logical Capital City association, It has seemed
obvious all along that they could not represent the
views Of a majority Of Jamestowns inhabitants unless
those inhabitants had gone completely insane.
Bismarcks sanity in the face of the unfair effort to
do this city harm has been an ameliorating influence
and the men representing this citys interests are to be
congratulated for keeping their feet on the ground.
Bigotry Is never . cure for btgotry. Intolerance does
nothing toward developing tolerance. Recognition OF this
principle, 1t may be assumed, has endeared Bismarck to
Tic Q6Opl6 u y 8t8tS - q IN AAAo VNJ . VAV~N
has won friends to It's cause. whereas. had q ~belligerent
posture been assumed, we might today have the spec
tacle Of q united jamestown opposing . harassed and
fearful Bimarck, fighting for m essential factor to its
continued prosperity.
hut welcome as MI. Cars statement i, 1t Is only the
start Of q long, hard climb which Jamestown must make
toward reestahushins Itself in the esteem Of North Da-
kota people. There Is only ono way In which the matter
can definitely be dropped and that Is for the capital re-
-~-a >A,,nn~H~s 4 wfklndraw THAR rAtif0n asking that
he matter Officiating the capital ill over again be sub
'uitted to N election.
II III = done. jamestown win deserve the thanks and
applause q the sntire state. Just - It has brought
dosm upou itself condemnation for it. actions 70 date.
1tnuasck, ~ ars sure. Win Be among the fi1st 70 help
- ~ erase Tie record which the original movement
s..,~hA MA helnR. The fact that Bismarck refused -
firht ftrs Wien IRE. choosing instead TO sdopt : policy
VI r1rtraa1od 16ssfva&ion, 100 asength T. To prob
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