The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07
Made Great Fight
To Retain, Capital

else. Others wanted to emphasize
the advantages Of Bismarck q Z cap
ital site rs compared to jamestown,
while others were inclined to put the
most emphasis on the moral phases
OF the issue.
Another point for discussion wa
whether the jamestown arguments
should be directly attacked and
whether that city's Disadvantages q
q capital location should be stressed.
The final decision was to inform
the electorate on Ill the various
phases and the argument was made
all inclusive, although 1t was agreed
that little stress would be laid upon
JamestownS civic disabilities.
The finance committee found little
difficulty in raising . substantial fund
from Bismarck business houses and
individuals. These regarded the cam
paign as sort Of insurance against
the devastating effects Of removal.
All Reports Favorable
As various citizens reported the
temper Of the voters in various parts
OF the state 1t was even suggested
that no campaign would be neces-
sary. Information from all sections
was to the effect that the voters
were solidly against the removal pro-
posal. So unanimous were these re-
ports that 1t did not seem Bismarck
could lose. The Capital City, how
ever, was in the position Of q man
with q thousand-to-one bet who had
to remember the thousandth chance
and it was decided to spare no eff
fort. Another consideration was that
the people of the state might miSin-
terpret an apparent indifference on
the part Of Bismarck residents.
Some question was raised As to
whether the voters understood how to
mark their ballots to support Bis
marck's position and the later stages
Of the campaign were devoted to edu-
eating them on this point.
With every man, woman and child
In the city aroused. . campaign was
begun to have local citizens write let.
tiers to their friends and relatives
elsewhere in the state asking them to
support this city in the election. Spe-
cial stationery was furnished for this
purpose, the letterheads containing .
brief summary Of Bismarck's argu-
ment.
This personal appeal. which made
active workers for Bismarck In nearly
every community, was supplemented
late in the campaign by flying squad.
rons Of local businessmen who visited
every section Of the state. distributing
literature and ascertaing the temper
Of the voters.
Advertisements. In newspapers and
by radio, carried the story and this
city's cause was further encouraged BY
the support accorded 1t in the news
papers Of the state. Everywhere edi-
tors challenged the justice OF the re.
n1oval idea, asserting that 1t was
morally wrong to launch such .
movement, even though 1t was per.
Missile under the law. Practically
nc newspapers supported Jamestowns
stand.
jamestown Becomes Divided
Bismarck's efforts were further
supplemented by a division In the
ranks which occurred in jamestown.
There the matter became involved in
local politics. The upshot was state
ment condemning the removal idea
which was issued by many OF
that city's business. professional and
church leaders.
The result was to divide the city
and feeling between removal propo-
nents and opponents there was Is
strained a. between the removalists
and Bismarck residents. The cham.