Breaking the Machine
The period of tutelage for a territory to become a state was usually short – a matter of a few years only. Dakota Territory's statehood was delayed for 28 years, largely due to the opposition of out of state interests. Thus, the fight for statehood set in the North Dakota character both the pattern of revolt against economic colonialism and a deep mistrust of out-of-state interference in local affairs.
In the 1880s, local political figure Alexander McKenzie was the Boss Tweed of North Dakota politics. McKenzie was the political agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad, ensuring that every political decision from the location of the state capital to appointment of state Supreme Court justices favored the railroad.
After North Dakota finally achieved its long delayed statehood, the state struggled to balance the state's budget. Between 1890 and 1901, North Dakota farmers had only four good crop years. And the railroads, which owned nearly one fourth of all land in the state, were not paying their tax obligations.
Chafing under the economic control of out of state interests, the North Dakota Farmers Alliance tried to achieve some independence but the McKenzie machine prevented them from making any real reforms.
At the turn of the century, a great reform movement swept the United States. Reformers sought to make democracy work more effectively – breaking the power of political bosses, curbing trusts and monopolies, and curing social problems through legislation. The support of North Dakota voters for national Progressive candidates Teddy Roosevelt and Robert LaFollette signaled the turn of the tide.
In 1906, with Alexander McKenzie embroiled in scandal, North Dakota reformers believed the time had come when they could finally break the power of the McKenzie machine and take true control of the economic destiny of the State. It took four years, but in 1910 progressive candidates began to win key races. "Honest John" Burke defeated McKenzie's handpicked candidate for governor. And for the first time, progressives had control of both the House and the Senate.
The 1911 Legislature passed a sweeping agenda of Progressive reforms setting the stage for the political prairie fire known as the Non-Partisan League.
Photographs from the collection of Institute of Regional Studies, North Dakota State University and the State Historical Society of North Dakota