The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-09-21
The State Situation
(The Fargo Norum)

When Acting Gov. Ole H. Olson
announced last week that he would
not be candidate for office this fall
and further announced that he would
support the Democratic candidate
Mr.. Thomas H. Noodle, he took q
step which did much to clarity the
political picture.
Undoubtedly, many Of Geverno,
Olson's friends were disappointed al
his decision. It is natural they should
be. In the few, brief weeks he hal
occupied the executive chair, he has
unquestionably built for himself q
wide, personal following. He has en-
deared himself to many to whom his
name was perhaps quite unfamiliar
before.
But the governor, wisely enough
feels the graveyards are full Of third
parties. Too. he feels, again wisely
that the issue this fall is not an issue
as between Democrat and Republican
hut that the voters at the November
election must choose between the sort
o. government they had under the
administration Of the deposed William
LANCER and the sort he himself might
give them.
In short. "Langerism" becomes the
issue Of the fall election. True enough,
LANCER himself Is not . candidate, the
choice Of his wife rs the Republican
candidate following his disqualified
ton and his subsequent retirement
before the party's state central COM
mittee which he controlled.
Mrs. Lydia LANCER as governor can
only mean 4 perpetuation Of LANCER
ism. She has made 1t quite clear,
both before and after her choice as
. candidate, that she would subscribe
to and fulfill the policies Of her hus-
band. Her election would mean
there is no other Interpretation pos
Ahle-another reign Of the sort from
which the state Just now 3 attempt
Ing to recover.
Since that 18th day Of July when
Mr.. Olson walked into the executive
office and took up the duties Of gov.
ernor, there has been q changed at.
mosphere In Bismarck, an atmosphere
which spread In short order to the
rest Of the state. A definite peace has
settled on the commonwealth. For
the first time In many months North
Dakota knows from day to day Just
about what to expect.
It knows. for ono thing, just where
to find its governor. Aside from q
few trips Of q day or two to some city
within the state on official business
Acting Governor Olson has not left
his executive office. Instead Of ha-
ranguing the multitudes OF Iowa and
Oklahoma or melting some Of the
states own citizenry to riot. he has
remained at home, performing his
allotted tasks with what he calls
Horse sense, anyway"
Instead Of provoking and gliding al
the national administration. Mr.. o..
SON has set about on definite pro.
gram Of friendly cooperation. He
feels, properly, that any other course
would be and Is ridiculous.
It Is difficult to see how Mr.. LANCE,
can. in the face Of figures made avail.
able last week, continue his assault
on the federal government, an Is.
sault which most certainly woule
mean no good to the state were b.
still in office.
The record shows that North Da.
kota has been the recipient Of som,
$50, 0oo. 1000 In federal funds as com
pared to tax return to the fedora
government last year Of about $4,000,
600.
There 10 no question about tn,
states right to this aid. That poin
does not enter into the picture. A
an integral part Of the Union, a.
commonwealth which has In the pas
and will again contribute heavily {,
the welfare Of the nation as q whole
1t finds itself Just now in need Q
some assists nee. Cheerfully an,
promptly that assistance has bee
Forthcoming. Undoubtedly It come
70 " even more cheerfully aimee Nj
Olson came In and Mr.. LANCER wen
out.