The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-30
(Officjal City, State and County
Newspaper)
Foreign Representatives
SMALL. SPENCER, BREWER
(Incorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
A Sound Attitude

Those who have been wondering
about the legislative program OF thu
Nonpartisan League need have nj
worry if that organization accepts a!
its guide the views expressed Thurs.
DAY by John Nystul. chairman Of it.
executive committee and its politica
chieftain.
Declaration that the legislature
would function In the interests of the
people alone is old stuff. It has been
heard before, although not from
Nystul, and is recognized Is q stan
dard expression In such circumstances
Other parts Of the statement, how.
ever. give rise to belief that Nystul
really means what he says and that
he will bend his efforts to carrying
out the pledge.
For instance there appears in his
statement the declaration: 1.-THE peo-
pie care little about politicians but
are very much concerned about con-
structive and honest state govern
ment." Examining that phrase, one
can read much into It. II he does
SO, he may easily end his cogitations
with the conviction that Nystul reads
the public mind much more accurate
ly than do some who have received
political honor.
There is always the tendency on
the part of those who have been fav-
ored by the public franchise to be-
lieve that it was their own winsome
forceful or appealing personality
which resulted in victory. Nystul
recognizes the essential error in that
theory. He knows that people cast
their votes, not with the idea of help
ing someone else, but of helping
themselves if they can. He realizes,
apparently, that these are times of
trial for the political group Of which
he is the titular head, that the favor
of last November easily may be turn
ed into distrust if the interests of the
whole people are not conserved and
promoted.
His reference to the fact that the
people will not tolerate "subterfugc
and alibis' marks Nystul as a man of
more than ordinary political acumen.
These have been the stock in trade
Of many politicians in the past and
will be relied upon by many in the
future. 1t may be that Nystul recog-
nizes what many politicians overlook.
the fact that such actions inevitably
lead to defeat, even though they may
postpone the fatal day. Alibi and
subterfuge are not craftsmanship
and conditions in North Dakota cry
loudly for that essential in the pub
lie affairs of this state.
1.-The farmer has nothing but cal
loused hands to show for his effort.
The laborer and small business man
sees taxes steadily increasing" indi-
Gates clear recognition of the problems
at hand. It signifies a willingness to
do something about them. 1t takes
cognizance of the people whose inter-
ests are all-important and who, after
all, cast the votes.
There should be no time for DO
litical revenge or the building up of
personal political machines" Nystul
asserts, and thereby proves the men,
tai breadth which is necessary to DO
litical success. He, apparently. be-
lieves that attempts at political re-
prtSal have worse effect upon the
perpetrator than upon those whom
they seek to injure. His estimate of
the public mind seems to recognize
the fact that any attempt to promote
personal glory or to pay off" enemies
will detract attention from the Job
- hano. that OF putting the state
government on basis which the
people can afford and Of taking con.
structive steps which will cure the
ills now besetting us.
A public which has had a surfeit
Of promises in the past will look with
hope upon this session and upon this
new man. It will wish him well In
Ne kind Of program which he out
lines. It viii give him support in his
efforts. It win condemn any who do
not take the attitude which he so
scundly processes.
II Not An indication