The Bismarck tribune., 1934-09-13

newspaper and also the local news ol
spontaneous origin published herein
All rights Of republication Of all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Mass Meeting
Under present plans Of North Da-
kota Democrats, the state campaign
will not open until Sept. %, when
Postmaster General Farley will visit
US, but in Bismarck it will get under
way tonight.
The calling of a mass meeting in
order that members Of all groups
opposed to the recent racketeering in
state affairs may express their views
and enlist in the fight for good gov
ernment indicates the foundation for
the Democratic campaign, for in this
situation it IS either case Of support
the Democrats or vote for the rack
eteers. There is no other choice. Be-
cause of this fact good many peo-
pie who heretofore have stuck to the
Republican party will mark their first
Democratic ballots this fall.
The purpose Of the mass meeting,
as is frankly expressed in the call for
it, is to unite the entire citizenry in
the fight against graft, corruption
and the kind Of government we had
for Is months. The manner in which
the people Of Bismarck and Burleigh
county respond will give pretty fair
indication Of the probable outcome
Of the election In this area. II few
come and there is no interest, the
Democratic campaign will be merely
q beating Of the atmosphere. Il there
Is q large turnout 1t will be proof that
the people are interested, and an In
terested electorate IS very hard to
fool.
The meeting, presumably, Is not
Intended as q political rally as the
word is commonly used. There will
be little, II any, attempt at political
evangelization. Instead, it will be
assumed that all who come have .
working knowledge Of the facts and
want merely to determine what shall
be done about them.
This Is the opportunity for which
many Republicans, or erstwhile Re-
publicans, have been waiting. It In
vites them to enlist In the cause Of
good government under the Demo-
cratic banner without making q per-
manent affiliation with the Demo-
cratic party. It asks them to lay
aside such political differences as
may exist between the two estab-
Nshed parties In this state and make
common cause Of the one thing every
decent political organization should
stand for. That is the principle of
common honesty.
In addition to considering how the
Democratic candidates for state Of
flee may best be assisted. the meeting
will discuss what can be done to pre-
vent the supreme court from falling
into political hands.
The majority Of the court has ac-
quilted itself well during these recent
trying months. Its members have
demonstrated their courage and their
lealty to the oath which they took
upon entering office. They have in
terpreted the law fairly when it was
. test Of their manhood to do so.
There could be no better recommen-
dation for any candidate.
Opposed to them are candidates
Who might properly, and without In
suit. be called political galley slaves.
beholden to one man for their en-
dorsement and nomination, they will
owe 1t to him II they are elected.
Personal interest might properly be
expected to outweigh the public In
terest wherever they might clash.
North Dakota wants no rubber
stamp supreme court. It wants .
court with courage enough to inter-
pret fairly and squarely the laws
which the people have laid down for
their own guidance and that Of pub
lie officers.
Because the incumbent members Of
the supreme court have refused to
take an active part in politics. 1t be-
comes necessary to give them aid and
support II the last bulwark Of our
liberties i not to be swept away.
Their opponents. creatures Of . po-
litical machine. will have the support
Of that machine. A counter move
ment must be instigated in behalf Of
the judges who are being attacked.
In Burleigh county this will be done
ct the mass meeting Thursday night.
MI C-NlA Y0-A