The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-03-20
It's Up to the Democrats
(Willistou Herald)

The two factions Of the Nonpartisan
League have nominated their state
tickets. Governor LANCER files a
claim to the states Republican or
eanization. The anti-Langerites make
no such claim. They are quite con-
tent to b classed as progressives,
using the tsrm broadly. The fact Is
they have nominated . strong ticket
and subscribed to q broad set Of prin-
ciples which will have popular appeal
In North Dakota.
The further fact . that their strong
ticket and their platform Of principles
II Z direct challenge to the states
Democrats TO put up ct the Minot
convention . stronger ticket and
enunciate issues with greater clarity
and less Of platitudes.
What VIII the states Democrats do?
What can they do7
These are the two great questions
before their leadership at this time.
The first thing they can do Is to
keep clear Of the present spectacular
state political row and all its phases.
When the neighbors are hanging out
soiled linen fresh from the wash 1t is
not good breeding to hang over the
backyard fence.
The Democrats win do well to At
tend strictly TO their own business. II
their organization Is worthy the name
it bears 1t owes to the people Of the
state at this time constructive think
ing and action on North Dakota
problems.
Why do we have crop failures In
western North Dakota? What can
We do about 1t? There is one issue.
The answer Is soil survey and land
classification which will amount TO an
inventory Of our fundamental re-
sources.
Why Is our government 50 costly?
The answer is because It Is SO compli-
Gated. simplification Of government
down to the lowest political subdi-
vision i another issue. We have had
studies to this end. Nothing much
has come from them. The Democrats
should pledge themselves to action.
What have our state industries cost
us? Are they worth while? The an.
swer Is they have cost us plenty and
will continue to while they are polite
ally administered. The state mill
should be turned over to the Farmers
Union. the largest and most successful
cooperative in the state. Meantime,
for the present, the state should steer
clear Of new industries which can only
become political foothall6
How can the taxation system be re-.
vised to spread the taxation burden
more equally7 There Is another issue.
That opens up . most interesting field
for action and study.
Would It not be well to elect legis-
latures. and al public officers In the
subdivisions Of the county and state
for four years. instead Of two. limit
membership In the legislature, abolish
ct least one house and require the
legislature to meet In regular session
only once in four years. II special
action were required. . special session
could always b called.
What = the truth about our MARKET
Ing system? what, u anything. can
Ne do about IT.
What = the prospect for developing
cur Ignite coal measures? What Will
: large section Of this state Do, II
rainfall continues to decrease and
ground water levels to recede7 How
much duplication y there In our edu-
catiOn9l tnStitutieus7 How can It BE-
eliminated, tho educational needs Of
the state fully met and the bill b
kept ct . reasonable figuyef
How can NJ end the Tacketeesing
which has crspt Into the administrs-
tive phase ef gt9te oovsrnment7
Tho fight In the ranks e the
League Is to the death. There 4 no
disco4ntiug that fast.
Meantime the path = chaTtsd for
the states Democrats. Tia new deal
Of the Roosevelt administration points
the WAY for North Dakota Democrats
70 give North Dakota Z new deal, .
clean deal. Z campaign free from par
9onalities, that will rouse the con-
stTuctive thought q The people and
turn It to Intelligent solution Of their
peoblems.