The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-01
(Official City, State and County
NeWSpaper)
Foreign Representatives
SMALL SPENCER, BREWER
Uncorporated)
NEW YORK BOSTON
Our Kaleidoscope Politics

OUR h6lClUO0NVPAN OASASo
Economic unrest has upset political
alienments in North Dakota. Party
and factional lines have broken asun-
der. Thousands of voters are off the
reservation and the old stale political
shibboleths will not win them back.
1t is difficult to distinguish the men
of Jephthah from the Ephraimites.
The bitter class struggle has gradu-
ally ameliorated.
The farmers and the business men
in North Dakota have long since bur-
led the hatchet. They are both in the
same economic boat and they realize
their interests are identical and that
nothing can be gained by feeding the
devastating fires Of political dissen-
sion and strife.
In Bismarck recently, the break
down of the Nonpartisan League, as a
militant, fire-eating organization, was
evident. In fact the handful Of dele
gates gathered in a smoke-filled room,
represented no great burning cause
nor an aroused electorate. 1t was
hardly representative caucus. Po-
litical hate, SO rampant few years
ago, has grown milder in the last eight
years. Political leaders who thrive
upon the clash OF classes and grow fat
in arraying one against the other are
now straining for a paramount
issue
Just what issues the I. v. A. organ
ization can resurrect at Valley City is
matter of speculation. The people
of North Dakota, generally speaking
realize that there can and will be nc
extension of the So-called industrial
program whoever wins. Neither is
there any threat of the state involv-
ing itself in branch banking in such
perilous times as these. Many who
have identified themselves with the
League in past campaigns are opposed
to branch banking and will resist any
efforts of the hot-heads to plunge the
state into any such foolish expert
ment.
In fact the great demand for tax re-
duction comes most militantly from
the rural sections where the Nonparti-
san League draws its heaviest votes.
Townships dominated by men of
League affiliations have taken great
er strides toward tax reduction and
relief OF the public debt burden than
have the organized towns and cities,
supposedly of I. v. A. inclination.
That is on record and should be an
swer enough to the political faction
which for years has been using the
red menace to garner votes and cam
paign funds. Such danger Is out
Of the picture and to throw fresh fuel
on this fire is to do the state an in
jury.
Farmers and businessmen alike are
tired OF the contention which has
torn the state apart. They are look
ing for and demanding q constructive
program which will make for better
economic conditions in this state and
the political party or the individual
candidate who seeks to climb into Of
flee by lambasting tactics may find
that such . campaign is not popular
X X X
If the farmers and business men
have buried the Ratchet. and The
Tribune from its study of the situa-
ton believes that they have, it is time
the politicians followed suit.
It should be possible to have cam
paign confined to real. rather than
imaginary, issues. Voters should
pierce through the sophistry of spe-
cious aud unfair political tactics. It il
not newspapers function to tell any
one how to cast his ballot, but it Is
The Tribune's hope to clarity the is
sues and give oil sides Of the state
and national campaign as they de-
velop.
The I. v. A. faction can well tone
down its style Of campaign. And 1t
win be just as futile for the League
= 80 up ana Gown the state lambast-
ing capital and appealing to class
consciousness. The farmers and bust
ueae men are fed up on the old style
|of beating about the political bush
1hey want more than political heal
and the party bell wethers will find
that voters dander does not rise as
easily Is Of yore. It is just as well tc
retire some Of the bulls who have been
|snfnStinR the china these many cam