The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-01-14
Buxton, N. Oak.
Jan. IL, 1881
To the Editor of The Tribune
and the Voters of North Dakota

To the Editor of The Tribune
and the Voters of North Dakota.
Since the jamestown meeting when
the Progressive Republican party
was organized, several OF the news
papers Of the state have taken &C.
casion to question the sincerity of
purpose of the men who necessarily
must be charged with sponsoring this
meeting. In view of what transpired
there and the fact that I was honored
with the presidency of the party, I
feel it incumbent on me to correct
some of the misleading statements
which have appeared in the press.
In answer to those who "a see no
good in an effort to unite the progress
sives of the different factions in the
Republican party, I would like to say
they are either not thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with actual conditions in the state
politically or else they feel their
present entrenched positions threat
ened. To those who have not fam
iliarized themselves with the present
political situation, I want to say at
the outset that there Is no room in
North Dakota for two Republican
parties. I do not believe there Is any
need of qualifying this statement. To
those who see in the Progressive Re-
publican party a threat I can only
say that every voter in this state is
invited to join our ranks. We have
no axe to grind. We serve no political
interests. We have One provision,
however-we have nc place for a po-
litical boss or dictator. 'Townleyism
and Twitchellism are equally out Of
place and will not be tolerated. Past
experience has taught us, L believe,
that the interest of all can best be
served under this rule.
I think it is agreed that a majority
of the members of the Nonpartisan
League, as well as a majority OF the
I. v. A. would welcome an opportun-
ity to meet on common ground, poll
tically and for a common purpose. ]
believe the rank and file of both fac
tons are Sincere in their desire to
accomplish something worthwhile for
their state, but factionalism, division
of strength, lack Of faith, and sus-
picion as to the motives of the OPP
position make it impossible for either
faction, to accomplish their purpose.
It is because of this unfortunate
situation that some of those who
fought the battles of the so-called
Insurgents about 20 years ago against
McKenzieism and professional po-
liticians realized the need of a reSur-
rection of that same progressive par
ty, and now extend an invitation to
all fair-minded voters in North Da-
kota, irrespective of previous political
utilization, to join with them in a
true progressive party, embracing
such principles as have proven
worthy of support in years gone by.
Our platform is liberal in its terms
-advisedly SO. We are living in a
comparatively new state. There is
much to be done and, to a large
degree, we must depend on ourselves.
"Jackasses" are considered poor risks
in the industrial east. Is it not about
time that we make an attempt to
prove that We should not all be
classed in that category?
The old guard Republicans accuse
us of being out-an-out Leaguers.
The radical Leaguers accuse us
of attempting to disrupt the league.
To this I want to say, we have
nothing to conceal. Our aims and
purposes are an open book to all.
We pay no special political advisers
and receive no CAMPAIGN funds from
special interests. Our faith in the
people of this state for fair play war
rants our belief in the success of our
undertaking. We are not looking
for adherents among the old guard,
neither do we stake the success of this
party on men who still see in Town
ley the redeemer of mankind. While
the executive board has the respon-
sibility of organizing the state, it has
no power to select candidates for any
office. This must and can only by
done at properly called conventions