The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-01-20
A Day Dream and It's Moral
Minneapolis Tribune)

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A resolution has just been in
troduced in the North Dakota state
senate proposing that 80 states rebel
against the domination Of the "fi-
nancial east and withdraw from the
union.
The nine states which would be
left to shift for themselves are Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont, Massa-
chusettS. New York, Pennsylvania,
Connecticut. Rhode Island and New
Jersey. It is charged in the resolu-
ton that these states have so manip-
ulated congress and congressional.
legislation that "they have become
rich at the expense of the rest Of
the union"
Nennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode
Island ond New Jersey. 1t is charged
in the resolution that these states
have so manipulated congress and
congressional legislation that they
have become rich at the expense Of
the rest OF the union"
Like many proposals Of a similar
nature that have preceded It, this
| one can only be set down as an ex-
cursion into the realm Of political
fantasy. It Is much too grotesque to
invite the serious consideration Of
any save theorists and day dreamers.
The obvious answer to those who
maintain that nine eastern states
control congress is that the other 80
do not have to withdraw from the
union to put an end to such minor
ity domination. We will concede. for
the moment, that these nine states
do have stranglehold on most leg
islation, and that through effective
organization they are able to DOM
mate congress. After that concession
is made, it is but short step in logic
to the conclusion that the 80 DOM
mated states are making extremely
poor use of the distinct numerical
advantage they enjoy in both houses
OF congress, and especially in the
senate.
In the upper house, the so-called
financial east" boasts 18 senators to
Is for the states which are being
trampled under foot. In the lower
house, the nine states can lay claim
to 122 representatives, as opposed to
3l3 for the other 80. The constitu-
ton allots to Nevada, with its pop
ulation Of 9l,o58, exactly the same
number Of seniors 1t gives to New
York state, the financial nerve center
Of the country. with its population Of
i2.5sS0 Any ten middle western
states, Il they stand solidly together
in the senate, can outvote the H.
nancial east IN the senate six days In
the week.
It Is fairly plain. then, that what.
ever measure Of dominance the Il.
naiciaI east, with it, nine states, has
exercised over the remaining 80 states
must have been due to organization,
cooperative effort and the ability to
translate . solidarity Of interests In.
to action. The North Dakota resolu-
ton. then, while It offers no practical
solution of anything. does seem to
conceal moral which may be Of
soyne interest 10 the middle west. The
moral is that II the middle west will
work together in congress, II it will
sink it, petty differences in the
larger considerations Of its common
welfare, II 1t Win make the most Of
IL advantage Ia the senate and
present . fairly solid front in the
lower house, It can exert in coneress
more powerful influence than It
has ever had. Failing that, It can
hardly complain because the finan.
cial east Is smart enough to make it,
votes effective. much less deny that
secession Is 70 much silly talk that
overlooks the opportunities that are
At hand.