Predictions that North Dakota would enter the Union as a Republican state were borne out 100 years ago.
A 1989 column in the Herald explained how it worked:
“Despite a provision in the enabling act to assure the majority party of at least a third of the delegates to a constitutional convention, more than two-thirds chosen were Republicans.
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“The enabling act provided that only two members of each party could appear on the ballot, with three delegates to be chosen. In some districts -- including the western part of Grand Forks County and all of Nelson -- the provision was sidestepped.
“The district was divided into three sub-districts. In each, two Republicans were on the ballot, but each name was on the ballot in only two-thirds of the area. The Republican majority was enough for three Republicans to be elected -- even though two Democrats ran throughout the district.
“The 20th district, dominated by the city of Grand Forks, followed the direction of the enabling act. It picked Billy Budge and Richard Bennett and Democrat Alex Griggs in the May 14 election.
“The 21st district, western Grand Forks and Nelson counties, named Martin Johnson of Lakota, T.W. Bean of Michigan City and Martin V. Linwell of Northwood. All were lawyers and Republicans.
“The constitutional convention was set to open in Bismarck on July 4, 1889.”
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Although most readers would have little knowledge of the statehood delegates, others have a handle on more recent history.
Following is a trivia contest presented by the Herald 25 years ago. Hang on to the quiz until next week, when the correct answers will surface.
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1. What was the unofficial name by which members of the former fighter-interceptor squadron at Grand Forks Air Force Base described themselves?
2. Who was the only resident of Grand Forks to be elected governor of North Dakota while living here?
3. Who was the first woman elected to the Grand Forks City Council?
4. What name was given to the first B-52 bomber stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base?
5. Two brothers served as mayor of Grand Forks. Who were they?
6. What was the relationship between Alexander Griggs and George Walsh, the founder of Grand Forks and president of its village board, respectively?
7. Thomas Whelan of St. Thomas was the first North Dakotan ever named as an ambassador of the United States. What former resident of Grand Forks later held the rank of ambassador?
8. Who was the last resident of Grand Forks to run as a major party nominee for governor of North Dakota?
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9. Who was the first person honored by the Greater Grand Forks Sertoma Club with its Service to Mankind Award?
10. The States Theater and Ballroom was the entertainment center of Greater Grand Forks in the 1930s and 1940s. What was the name of the later movie theater that also was on DeMers Avenue in East Grand Forks?
11. What president of UND also served as head of North Dakota Agricultural College?
12. What were the call letters of Grand Forks’ first commercial radio station? The city’s first television station?
13. What graduate of UND prior to 1989 was the winner of a Pulitzer Prize?
14. Who was the first graduate of UND to be elected governor of North Dakota?
15. Who was Grand Forks’ last city manager?
