The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-21
Member of Audit Bureau Of
Circulation
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper)



No Time for RepriSals
There is a sentiment in all po-
litical factions for cooperation in the
administration of state affairs and
the elimination of strife and political
reprisals. This generally speaking is
the attitude Of the executive COM
mittee of the Nonpartisan League.
Recently some very prominent men,
bers of the Independent Voters As
ISOLATION have expressed the same
conviction.
Unfortunately there is a clique of
die-hards who enjoy swinging the
political axe. The urge to get even''
is greater with some than the desire
to do good for the state. Destruc-
tive rather than constructive policies
intrigue them.
Members of the legislature can do
much to quiet things down and Sc
cure team work between all factions
for the good of the state. They
should resent efforts of some leaders
now active in organizing both
branches for a political bear hunt.
Such activities should be discouraged
by those level-headed legislators who
have served for several terms and
know that the game of law-making
Is one of give and take.
There are many grave questions
confronting the next legislature be-
fore which some of the animosities
which have been magnified to pro-
portions of great issues seem petty
and trivial indeed. These animosi-
ties can well be ignored for the
graver problems of state.
The members of the Nonpartisan
executive committee are working for
harmony Of action. There are Ger
tain policies which they desire ef-
fected but they know that nothing
can be done if the legislature is or
gained along narrow partisan lines
and If contention and resentment
become the order of the day. It is
not necessary to mention names. The
leaders who would revive old hatreds
and ancient slogans are we'll known.
They have uttered imprecations of
revenge and reprisal. All their activ-
tiles have been against some one
rather than for something.
Several special reports have been
carefully prepared for the study of
this legislature. There are only 60
days in the session and it is going
to take all that time under full
steam to digest these recommends
tons and draw up laws putting the
best OF them into effect.
II waste in administration is to
be eliminated, the whole structure OF
the states political divisions must be
changed radically. There are toe
many taxing units and too many
agencies disbursing public funds
wastefully and In duplicate effort.
Many consultations and coordina-
tions Of state departments have been
suggested. These demand careful
study and non-political considera.
ton.
Here then are the merest outline.
Of the picture. Naturally the mer
to steer the next session along con-
6tructive lines are those leaders who
last August fought manfully to pre-
vent the initiation Of Is vicious
measures which would have placed
complete political power in the hands
Of one man. II those measures had
gone through, the ground work
would have been laid for ruthless
utilization Of every state agency tt
build up machine to foster the DO.
litical ambitions Of one man. Other
state officials would have been mer>
puppets and pawns under hts thumb
The executive committee Tough
that tendency and in this they wer'
upheld by every state nominee bu
one, Is well 6 the people OF the state
who applauded. Their Judgment VOL
great victory against an attemp
to bring to North Dakota the Fascis
tactics which characterize Z Hitle
In Germany and q Mussolini Il
Italy. II these measures had gon,
on the ballot North Dakota NIGH
have been in. the grip Of . uttll
coteris Of political high-binders com
pared to whieh any combination thi
state has had befofs would look TX
bog scout troop
I The sa,ne regard for public service
4 actuating the executive commit
~ ii II scrutiny Of applicants ia
Clfice. It's members, who are &C
bnaotah1e 70 the rank and file OF the