The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-03-31
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newspaper and also tho local news OF
spontaneous origin published herein.
All rights Of republication Of all other
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Foreign Representatives
SMALL SPENCER, BREWER
(Incorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
Politics Must Be Served
Those familiar with the devious
ways Of politics are not surprised at
the outcome OF the Capitol Commis-
sion custer proceedings. In such
cases the Governor is complainant,
Judge, jury and executioner. Any
state official accused and tried un-
der such kangaroo proceeding has
less chance than an Armenian in a
Turkish court. The cards are stack
ed in advance. It Is sheer folly to
battle such . losing contest and the
fact that the commissioners were able
to force exoneration by the governor
In exchange for their designations is
evidence enough Of the weakness Of
the case against them.
Legal delays could have postponed
q final determination of the case un-
til after the building is finished and
no expense money Is provided for the
accused while the state treasury pays
the costs of prosecution.
But there Is the great jury of the
North Dakota electorate. They will
weigh the facts and watch how mat
tiers connected with the construction
Of the $4,000, 900 project proceed.
The party in power desires what
patronage or spot1s are attendant on
such public work. Politics must be
served and there was never an admin
istration 50 politically minded as the
one now In power. BY administra-
ton Of course, is meant the power
in the governors office. The refer
ence does not apply to other elective
state officials, with whom Gov. Lam
ger, for the most part. is at logger
heads.
Every taxpayer in the state wants
the most for the money to be expend-
ed in the new building. While the
legislative hearing disclosed some
trifling Irregularities, no graft was
barred.
It remains to be seen whether the
new capitol commission, which is the
present board of administration, can
function as well as the old. Ordin-
arily it IS an expensive proceeding to
swap bosses at this stage Of the Job.
The Tribune is willing to give the new
board the benefit Of every doubt, but
il the bars are let down SO the state
gets an inferior building at increased
cost, those responsible will doubtless
hear from the people Of the state.
Most Of the major contracts have
been consummated. The building is so
far advanced that drastic changes at
this time will mean great loss to the
state. It Is to be hoped that political
repeisals or private interests are not
to be served at the expense Of this
structure. which should be pride to
the people Of North Dakota. If poll
teal manipulation is to enter into the
picture, and there are rumblings Of
just such . turn in affairs, that is to
be deplored and should be most
vehemently opposed by all honest
citizens.
Service generally on state commits
sions, such as the one which was In
controversy, is thankless task. It is
usually . matter Of being damned
Whatever Is done.
Those attacking George Bangs and
Fred Conklin never believed that eth
er one acted dishonesty in any mat
tefs connected with the building pro-
Jet. They were in the way Of the
political steam-roller. II left in con-
troll, these men would not play poll
tics with Gov. LANCER.
The object was to get rid of them
n whatever manner. The fact that
the governor made IN obvious shift
from his former position demonstrates
how avid this desire was. They had
to be sacrificed on the altar Of poll
tical SPOTS system which operates
everywhere, all the time, where such
public work Is involved.
There = no need Of bemoauiug the
Mtuatiou. The same tactics obtain il
every state department under Gov.
hangers control Ability, efficiency and
long service have meant nothing In his
ruthless drive to dismiss every state
smploys who VIII not play his game
6 polttia4
H has found many Of the Old ]. v.
= faction, especially IN The state
highway department, heard q admin.
iGtratson, and othsr .ofsicss Who have
Gpoksd tn suppliant knse and sold
fhsir Independence loe . much-nssd-
= neal tieIEsk That, too, + A oper-
atton ta,at geee q = every state. and
ufile Haany tears are shsd b. those
wAO ars oustsd, nothing can be done
aeout y. Il y our great game q