The nonpartisan leader. [volume], January 06, 1916, Image 10

About The nonpartisan leader. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1915-1921

Image provided by: State Historical Society of North Dakota

                
TEN
Sign the Petition
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Political manipulations in the early days placed the capital of the
State of North Dakota at Bismarck. The people of the state have never
had an opportunity to voice their sentiments as to where they preferred
to have the seat of government, which we believe is manifestly unfair,
as the people and not the politicians -pyay the taxes for the carrying on
of the government's business. While in the early days Bismarck was as
accessible as any point in the state, conditions have changed. The cen
tral part of the state has developed to a greater degree than any other
portion of our great commonwealth, until now over eighty percent of the
population and eighty per cent of the assessed valuation is nearer to this
ppint than to the present capital city.
Is it not. a fair proposition to let the people have a voice in the lo
cation of the state capital? It is their money that is spen,t by our law
makers when they convene every second year to make our laws. The
density of the population determines the number of our senators and our
representatives. Therefore three-fdurths. of our lawmaking body will al
ways come from the eastern,, the northern and the central part of the
state. The natural formation of the country will keep it in this condi
tion for all time. The saving .in -mileage each year the legislature meets
will be thousands of dollars to the taxpayers. Many people have busi
ness at the seat of government outside of the time when the legislature
meets. Should not the capital .be located where they can reach it
at the least possible expense? The people are the ones to "pay the
freight" in every instance.
This is not a selfish move on the part of New Rockford and the cen
tral part of the state. The primary object of the movement was for the
benefit of the entire tax paying population of the state. New Rockford,
was selected only because it was the most, accessible point of the many
good cities in'the central part of the, state, with railway facilities unex
celled by any city in the state. This, was the primary, object sought by
the many people who have found it most inconvenient to visit the state
capital at its present location.
The slogan today is "Let the People Rule." The people of the central
part of North Dakota feel that the question of where the state capital
should be located for all time to come should be put up to the people of
the state not leave it in the hands of the politicians.
If you feel that the people should, settle this question for all time to
come, sign the petition below, have it certified before any officer qualified
to attest signatures and send it to the Capital Removal Association at
New Rockford, and the people will have a chance to pass on the question
at the next general election.
.{SEAL] ..
THE NONPARTISAN LEADER
Instructions for Signing Petition
Tear out petition along double line.
Sign petition with indelible pencil or ink.
Sign petition before notary jjublic or other officials.
Send in petition soon as possible.
If you can't get you neighbors to sign send it in yourself.
Mail to Capital Removal Association, New Rockford, N. D.
Watch these pages for additional Argument and Facts next week.
proval or rejection, and if approved by, a majority of all the legal votes amendment shall again be submitted to the people at the next general elec
cast at such -general election, such amendment shall be referred to the tion for their approval or rejection as at die previous general election, in
next Legislative Assembly -for ajyjroval or rejection, but failing to receive accordance with the provisions of said Section 202 of the Constitution of
approval by such Legislative- Assembly to which it has been referred, such the State of North Dakota as amended.
SIGNED:
Subscribed and sworn to before me this. day of 191
NAME DATE ADDRESS COUNTY
Geo. S. Loftus]
Endorses
Capital Removal
Mr. Frank E. Black, Secretary,
Capital Removal Association of North Dakota,
New Rockford, North Dakota.
Dear Sir:
As I stated, in my speech at New Rockford on August 4th, I believe
that everyone interested in the farmers' terminal marketing movement
should work for the submission to the people of the question of removing
the capital from Bismarck to New Rockford. This i3 a question of such
importance to the people of North Dakota that they should be given an
opportunity to vote on it.
The farmers of North Dakota seek legislation, to aid them in their
efforts for an op,-in market for their grain, a market free from the control
of the combine. Bismarck is a gang-controlled city. Legislation and the
administration of state affairs there are subject to the influence of the.
McKenzie-Little gang which is working constantly for those interests
oppio:ed to the farmers. It would be a big help to the farmers' cause
if the making and administrating of the laws could be taken out of
Bismarck and done in a city like New Rockford friendly to the farmers'
movement where the farmer's influence will be much greater and. that
of the McKenzie-Little gang much less.
In the interests of farmers' cause, I unhesitatingly urge every
farmer and all others interested in the farmers' movement to do thtfir
best toward having this proposition submitted to ths people. After all
these years in which legislation in the interests of the people has been
handicapped by the influence of the local gang at Bismarck, it is only
fair and equitable that the farmers of the state have an opportunity of
voting on this question. The Equity has faith in the desire of the peo
ple to vote for what is right and, just.
I suggest that the farmers circulate petition! asking that this im
portant question be submitted, incorporating in those petitions the well
know principle that we believe in giving the people an opportunity to
vote on legislation which will benefit the whole state. Get as many of
your neighbors to sign as possible. Let us see where the people of the
state stand on this importanat question..
December 28, 1915. GEORGE S. LOFTUS.
Notary Public, County, N. Dak.
My commission expires
Sy':-
Very truly yours,