The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-24
The Tribune editor has written to
silent Reader" as follows:
Falkirk. N. D.


Your letter, signed Silent Reader,
has been received by us and will be
published in our Peoples Forum
column. We could hope that your
FEELING toward our city were different
on this particular question but 1t Is
The Tribune's policy to print knocks
as we'll as boosts.
TO readers of The Tribune your
name will remain an inviolable Sc
cret but, since I have q personal and
direct interest in this capital removal
question, am taking the liberty Of
writing you this letter.
It does not seem to me that oppo-
sition to the expression of another
citizen is of sufficient importance to
warrant you in casting your vote
against Bismarck at the coming elec-
ton. If Mr.. Wetzel were a candidate
It might be ample reason for voting
against him, but he Is not. This is
an issue which Is presented on its
merits and without regard to person
aiities. In view Of this fact, person.
alitieS should be Of minor conSidera-
ton.
In voting on the capital removal
issue, one question and one alone
should determine the individual in
casting his vote. It Is this: els
Jamestown, all things considered,
better place for the capital than Bis
marck?'
II your honest reaction to this
question is affirmative it is your duty
to vote for the change. II. however,
you feel that the interests Of the peo-
pie of the state will be best served
by keeping the capital at Bismarck,
you are dishonest with yourself II you
vote for jamestown.
You say you are casting your first
vote. assume you are proud Of the
fact that you are an American citi-
zen and of the heritage which has
been given you. If you are, you tar
nish that pride by voting against
your own best judgment because Of
pique or prejudice.
Were you not young man, would
not take the liberty of thus address,
ing you, but the future Of our coun-
try depends upon you and the mill
lions Of other Americans Of your age.
Among the most important obliga-
tons Of citizenship Is that Of voting
your best Judgment on matters pre-
sented to you for consideration as an
elector. Except that Of bearing arms
for his country in time Of need, there
can be no greater obligation imposed
upon an American citizen.
I am not going to expatiate upon
the reasons why Bismarck should
remain the capital. Doubtless you are
familiar with them a. well as with
Jamestown's claims. I am, however.
going to point out one fact which I
hope you will consider in making
your decision as to how you will vote.
This Is the fact that Bismarck has
made no. sighting references to
either Jamestown or to the state hos
pital for the insane in this CAM
paign. Some individuals may and
have done so, but the organization in
charge Of Bismarck's campaign has
avoided such tactics for two reasons.
The first Is that sighting references
to the fact that the insane asylum Is
located at Jamestown cannot affect
the main issue. The second Is the
one which you stress. There Is no
good reason to stress the condition
of those unfortunate persons who are
mentally Ill. They deserve our SYM
pathy and certainly their plight Is
not one to be made light Of.
I hope this letter will merit q reply
from you. II 1t does, and II you give
permission for us to do 50, we shall