The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-20
Why Waste Taxpayers Money!
(Mandan Pioneer)

NMdIlOdN FlOllceI)
Business men, professional men and
citizens generally in Bismarck are
devoting their time to pointing out
the hundred and one reasons why the
voters of North Dakota should regis
ter mighty avalanche of ballots
against the proposal to move the cap
ital to Jamestown. On the face of
things one micht say that Bismarck
ers are unduly alarmed over the
threat but they are taking no
chances.
1t is impossible that the vote In
March for capital removal will be as
large as 1t was several years ago when
New Rockford had aspirations to be-
come the seat of government, though
lot of propaganda as to the money
saving to the state to locate the CAPT.
tai nearer the center Of population
has been spread. Voters sometimes
do strange things and for reasons
known only to themselves.
Outside Of jamestown it is not clear
that the removal question has gained
any momentum. AS the time for
election draws near. the supporters
OF capital removal in that city are
making lot of noise. whistling to
keep up courage, as it were.
Possibly there may be some voters
IN the central and eastern part Of
the state who may be impressed with
this talk Of economy in transporta-
ton. But what about the cost Of
shifting the seat Of government, the
millions that will be a waste, not only
to the state but to the individual
property owners in Bismarck? What
about that most important matter,
the water supply, and again the fuel
supply? The most valuable asset
North Dakota possesses is the Mis-
souri, river, with its unfailing supply
OF water. Counties in the central
and north-central part Of the state
are moving heaven and earth to di-
vert some of this water to their dry
river and creek beds. jamestown is
not the least interested in this di-
version project. They overlooked in
Guiding moving the Missouri in their
constitutional amendment.
People in the eastern half Of the
state who might have personal rea-
sons for wishing the state capital
nearer their homes should ponder
well the cost in these days when every
effort is being turned to keep down
the tax bill.
One very important section of the
state. the West Slope, may be counted
on to register strong against capita
removal. and 1t might be well for the
Bismarck committee to devote atten.
ton to this section in order to gel
out the full vote, for at least 80 pei
cent Of the Slope vote can be counted
on to retain the seat of government
at Bismarck, majority that will
more than wipe out the entire oppo.
sition vote in the rest of the state.
The capitol commission, now tina,
it has agreed on a splendid plan fol
the new capitol. should not be ham.
| pered by any further pickering
as to where the state house is to bt
located. The majority against re.
noval should be 40 overwhelming a.
to discourage any further attempts
BY ambitious cities to shift not onl!
the capitol but other state institu'
TONS
| It is regrettable that a movement
was not inAugurated some months
ago to repeal the initiative and ref
erendum which 90 long as these law
remain on the statute books stand q
q menace to the stability of our stat
institutions.