Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-03-01
BISMARCK CORRESPONDENCE
Two Sides to Every Question. The
Side That Townlcy Doesn't
Publish. f,

Last year number of the newspa-
,ers | throughout The state were
threatened with boycott because
hey questioned the sincerity of the
,onpal tisan Lea cue bosses. A few Of
shc papers did suffer financially be-
ause business thut lcgitimately be-
ongea 10 them was withheld at the
1chest OF the Townlcy lieutcnants.
he present session of the Legislature
las. howcver,vindicated the stand talk
n by the anti-Townley papers The
resent session Of the lgislaturc has
,how,: up the demagogucry and hy-
pocracy of the men in control of the
League. The newspapers have never
questioned the sincerity of the rank
and file Of the League members. They
have always conceded that the farmerA
joined the movement in good faith.
but that they were being mis-led by
bunch Of rowdics and agitators. Every
day furnishes new evidence to SUBJ
stantiate the claim Of the anti-Townley
editors. There is no question about
the League bosses being opposed to
cry Legislative proposition that they
pretended to stand for during the last
campaign. The senate is being por
trayed by the Townlcy papers as be
ing gang controlled, while the House
g being lauded for standing by the
farmers. And yet, what is the condi-
ton in the legislature today? We find
the Senate, that is anti-Townley, ready
and willing to carry out the provisions
Of the League program regarding ter
ninal elevators, state.owned grist mill
for experimental purposes, state hail
insurance, rural credits, and other
measures. Senate Bill II by Kirkeide
provided for the loaning of the school
funds on farm lands at the rate Of five
per cent interest, payable annually,
loans to run. twenty-five years, but
with ths privilege Of paying four pei
cent Of the principal at any interest
due date. Here was q bill that would
give the farmer cheap money and easy
payments, and, at the same time, at
so.dtely safeguard the states large
school fund. The senate looked upor
it as one of the most meritoriout
measures proposed in the present ses
sion and it met with but little opposi
ton. But what happened to the bill
when it was transmitted to the house
Now, one would naturally think that
this bill would pass the house with al
almost Unanimous vote, as the Leagu,
has over seventy-fvc Of the hundret
and thirteen members. But it nevel
reached the point Of being placed OF
final passage. II was sent to tn
bone yard by the secret caucus il
which non-membcrs dictate. And tn
Townleyitcs in the House meekly sub
miteu. Farmers throughout the stat
will not only he disappointed but the,
will be amazed at the action Of tn
House in this case. But If they hav
studied the Townley methods the
should not be surprised. The onl
reason for the Townley opposition wa
that the bill was safe and sane. ]
would materially benefit the farme
who farms. But its provisions mad
it possible to get cash from this vas
school fund OH farm lands only an
not on Townley's fat. Under the prt
visions Of the bill there would be n
Z chance for the League bosses to gra
\ the state school fund and use it in pr
noting get-rich-quick schemes. The,
4 is no question about the cause of Il
n bills defeat In the house. Men wi
J helped kill IL are not very cautious
their remarks about It. The rur
credits bill shared the same fate.
: was "a constitutional amendment
4 rather provision for onc---that VI
passed two years ago and was up I