The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1916-03-09

THE
be reckoned with if the right me
were behind the organization. Politi-
cal parties, candidates and ~aspirants
for offices were duped and scared out
of their boots, and the newspapers de-
cided either to await further develop
ments or as they meekly joined the
band wagon to bask in the sunshine of
popularity surrounding the new move
ment.
From the progressive point of view
there was at first no real a to
look upon this movement with dis
pleasure. The only thing about it
which might have been viewed with
suspicion was the secretive cethod
employed by the paid agents of the
organization. But that could, of
course, be explained in various ways,
and the majority of the people were
inclined to let it go at that. It is
safe to say that the Non-Partisan lea
que up till the present time has enjoy
ed the active and moral support of
progressive people all over the state,
regardless Of political parties and fac
tional leanings.
Lately, however, there have faoated
to the surface several. things which
tend to show that evaery thing is not
as it should be within the league.
There is reason to believe that the
leaders, whoever they may be, do not
intend to act in good faith toward the
members. Their manner of proceed
ing too often taste Of gang politics.
and they do not come out in the open,
not even as far as their own members
are concerned. Secretiveness in poll
tics is just what the American people
have fought all these years-that and
bossism. If we shall leave to a few
men to manage our political affairs
then it makes no difference in the LONE
if the bosses are named Tom, Dick, o,
Harry.
Out in full view and broad day light
must be brought every great issue
if it really shall be of benefit to thu
people. It must be debated from ev
cry point and weighed on the scales o.
common sense and public opinion ant
pass if it shall come up to the expect
ed standard. That is not always al
easy road to the goal, but a course
that cannot come out vistorious thr,
such paths is scarcely deserving OF vic,
tory. This has been proven So many
times.
When Normanden now warns the
electors of Nszth Dakota not to follow
the Non-Fartisan league blindly and
meekly sanction everything its leader,
may see fit to decide upon it is vel
aware Of the responsibility it shout
ders. It also knows it's stand. in, thi.
matter will create surprises and ever
disappointrnents in many quarters
but it has always been the principle 0!
this newspaper to tell the truth, sucl
as it sees it, regardless Of the conse
quences. The policies of Normandcl
have never been dictated from person
al or pecuniary gain. The Norman
den has always been a spokesman 70!
equity, cooperation and the interest
of farmers in general. A twenty-nin'
years. record along these lines canno
easily be explained away.
The information which the Norman
den possesses regarding the Non-Far
tisan league is of such a nature tina
it would be nothing less than Journal
istic deception to keep still. Those o
the readers of this paper who ar
members of the league-and there ar
many of them-are respectfully re
quested to read this with as unpreju
diced a mind as is possible under tn
circumstances, and this done, they will
have to ask themselves the question i
it vas thus they expected the organ
alton to act when they Joined it an
paid in their moneys.
The Hidden Program of the League
Whatever may be said of the officia
program of this "non-partisan" leagu
land there is much that is good in i
THE dangerous part is in the "hid
den" program, a program which is no
published in the Official organ Of tn
organization, and which is not spoke
of openly outside of a small circle o
the initiated. Some of thtse Aplanks
may be summed up as follows:
Complete control of the executiv
administrative and legislative affair
of the state.
Election of a governor who is will
ing to obey orders from the Command
ing Generals of the league.
Election of men Of the same calibr
H.