The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-25

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All rights Of republication Of all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Judgment Day Nears
North Dakota tests the intelligence,
responsibility and heart Of its cleo
torate next Wednesday in primary
election Is important as any in the
history Of the state. Although the
situation Is clouded by an unusually
large number Of candidates, the is
sues stand forth clear and well-de-
fined.
BY their ballots the citizens Of this
etate will blazon forth to the nation
their stand on public corruption and
graft In office. Within the state 1t
will decide the question whether the
electorate prefers truth and honor to
deceit and political chicanery.
Tho campaign, as such, has been
short and sharp. It did not really
get under way until the close Of the
federal court trial in which william
LANCER and his associates were con-
victed Of conspiracy against the gov
eminent. Despite that conviction,
LANCER has continued to appeal for
votes, his friends stating that he Is
taking his case to the court of pub
lie opinion" This Is being done In
the hope that 1t will be swayed by
false statements to accord him an ac-
quittal where the men selected to try
the evidence voted him guilty.
His is the ancient appeal Of the
demagogue and this fact puts the in
telligence Of the voters to the test.
The chief argument Of LANCER in
this campaign is that he has saved"
the homes of many farmers and bust
ness men. The claim is not borne
out by the facts. To be sure, his
moratorium on foreclosures has help
ed to keep some people in homes who
otherwise might have been dispos-
sessed. But the number has been
few and the state government has
taken no constructive steps to re-
lieve the situation which precipi-
tated the crisis.
In this field the federal govern
rnent has been active-and has lacked
the cooperation Of the state admin
istration in many important ways.
With the informed public, Langer's
protestations about the moratorium
are patiently hollow. He vetoed the
moratorium bill passed by the legis-
lature although its operation doubt
less would have been fairer than the
situation created by proclamation,
where discretion was assumed solely
by the states chief executive. AS
result, we have had secret fittings of
the moratorium on numerous occa-
sions and no cessation Of foreclosures
by the Bank Of North Dakota and
the state school land board, Of which
LANCER controls the policies in large
measure. As . practical matter, the
moratorium has no place In this elec-
ton, all OF the candidates for office
having declared themselves in favor
of protecting every citizen in the
right to enjoyment Of hts home, be it
In the city or on the farm, until such
time as these extraordinary measures
may be abandoned by reason Of I'M
proved conditions.
There are any number Of corollary
issues In the campaign, in addition to
that Of simple honesty, but the latter
is the one on which we will be judged
by the outside world and by future
generations. Twelve North Dakotans
were put to the test in the federal
court trial. Their stand, after re-
viewing all Of the evidence, was clear.
Now the rest Of US have opportunity
to likewise 60 on record.
Although chief interest centers In
the Republican gubernatorial nomi-
nation, it should not be overlooked
that there are other important Of
fees to be filled. FOR most Of them
the ballot lists persons Of wide expert
ence and unquestioned integrity. offic-
ials whom the state has tested and
found capable. Opposed to them are
political syoophants and arrogant de-
magogues whose sole claim to public
consideration Is their endorsement Of
public greed and corruption IN office.
The issue Is too clear 10 be disregard
Cd, despite the specious promises and
un1uthful statements made BY candi-
dates who ase the creatures Of . cor
r1pt machine.
THIS uewspaper has confidence n
the integrity Of the people Of North
Dakota. Il makes no pretense Of
telling IT, readers how to vote. Il
aslEs only that thsy estimate the situ-
alton clea1iy n the Light OF the best
information available and that thsy
"a ~. The salvation 81 the state
HI 4 q outposuing TO the polls O.
We6na16ay Tint to Judgment Of 81
To possls my hsve opportunity 70
srEs1s Hss6.
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