The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-10
WOULD FACE THE FACTS
Bismarck, N. OAK,
March 6. 1882.

1ditor. Tribune:
It Is with no small amount Of In
tereSt that have watched, during
the past weeks, the increased and all
absorbing fight for, or in opposition
to, the removal Of the State Capital
from this fair city. Those people who
favor the removal Of the State Cap
ital and the entire state government
to another city, namely jamestown,
could not have selected better time
or opportunity to impress their action
for the desire Of q further construc-
ton Of state building in that city up
on the voting public Of the state Of
North Dakota. However, available
statistics and the truthful presenta-
ton of known facts must necessarily
settle the issue. It cannot be salts
factorily settled by dishonesty, foolish
jealousy or prejudice.
The arguments, from the standpoint
Of strength alone, as voiced by the
renovalists have been weak funda-
mentally and do not, consequently,
carry enough weight to cause grave
concern in the minds Of the average
voter. On the other hand. there Is
much to be said in favor Of the reten-
ton OF the state government at Bis
marck!
In the first place, It should not be
up to the present generation to undo
the work which was performed by
those early pioneers who were far
sighted enough to plan the seat Of
government of this state with view
toward advancing civilization and the
geographical center Of the land. Ex-
tersive expenditure has been made
for public buildings in this city which
were planned to be used in conjunc-
ton with state affairs. Their aban-
donment would be a distinct loss in
money value to the state. Let us, for
the moment, suppose that the nation
nj capital were to burn. Would that
be sufficient cause to have the Amer.
lean people remove the Capital to an
other city, supposedly Omaha? Why
not? What would happen? The ex-
penditure would be too great! The
loss Of the public buildings already
erected for capital purposes would
necessarily be entailed. Exactly the
same situation prevails in smaller
scale in this state. Further, Bismarck
already possesses q powerful radio
station, q governmental press, numer-
GUS business houses to supply the re-
quirements for governmental offices,
good rail and highway service, eff
cient hotel accommodations and,
through the expediency Of these, Is
we'll suited to be called the Capital
City. In addition, 1t is evident that
many Bismarck people and Bismarck
concerns will, If the capital IS re-
moved, suffer personal and business
losses while the removal agitators
have nothing to lose in view Of future
gain. The facilities to supply the new
capitol, II it is built upon the old site,
are infinitely greater here than they
can ever be in Jamestown. Lastly, 1t
is very well known fact that the re-
moval propaganda is essentially being
sponsored by certain clique of in
dividuals who, for some unaccountable
reason, are not satisfied to let well
enough alone. They are found IN
every city and organization-those
who would not be satisfied under any
circumstances! In Jamestown, itself,
there are many people who, like our
selves. do not favor the removal OF
the capital from our midst. To them
We extend congratulations!
In any event, the intelligent vote Of
our people will decide the issue next
week. We are not to be deferred from
our lawful conclusion; we must not
cast our vote guided by prejudice; we
must learn to help each other by help
ing ourselves! II we go to the polls
on March 18th and vote intelligently,
in strict accordance with our own
opinions, we will have once again ex-
ercised OUR greatest American heritage
by doing a vast amount of good!
Very respectfully yours,
A. LEO SEVERN.