Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-26
WHAT'LL you HAVE? MINES BAER

A ~niggardly man who preferred to drink at the OK.
pense Of his acquaintance without himself standing treat
brought himself on one occasion to the point Of buying
drinks for the crowd. Marching up to the bar, no called
out: "Whatll you all have? Mines beer" The others
could not do otherwise than follow suit and order the
cheaper drink.
William Lemke. who Ia not q member Of the Republic.
an state committee. but who was elected to the chair
nanship thereof. varies the formula a little, and says to
the precinct committeeman of the First district "Whatll
you have? Mines Basr."
On June 20 Mr.. Lemke addressed to each Of the Re-
publican precinct committeeman in the First congression-
al district a circular Of which the following is a copy:
Dear Sir: The Republican executive committee
decide that q referendum vote be taken Of the Re-
publican precinct committeeman Of the First con-
gressional district. to decide who the Republicans
want ~ their candidate for congressman in the First
district. This action was taken, because a few dis
gruntled politicians are attempting to usurp the pow
or ana authority belonging to the Republican party
and send some one to congress who will not interfere
with the grain and food gamblers. This they are At
tempting to do through the old corrupt caucus sys-
tenn and political manipulation.
your executive committee feel that in this crisis
all parties should unite solidiy behind some man who
will represent the people ana not entrenched wealth.
and for this reason We ecomme to you John NJ.
Baer as the man who will serve the best interests Of
this nation. If you agree with US, kindly mark an x
after Mr.. Baers name: If not, mark in some other
name and mark an x after it"
A letter addressed by F. o. Thorson to the precinct
committeeman. and which is published in another col
umn. covers the Ground very completely. The facts there
in stated cannot be disputed. It may be we'll. in addition,
for the voters Of the district. and especially for those
who are Republican,. to devote a little thought to the
methods used by MI. Lemks In seeking from the precinct
committeeman Of the district an endorsement of Mr.
Baer, the Dsmocrattc~soctalis from Beach. whom Mr.
Lemke now seeks to foist upon the voters Of the district
As the Republican candidate for congress.
Mr.. Lsmke 10 chairman Of the Republican state COM
mittee. Neither he nor the. members Of the executive
committee are competent to direct the Judgment Of the
voters Of the party. Presumably the voters know what
they want. and they are able to speak out and make their
wishes known. In order to obtain an expression from the
committeeman Mr.. Lsmke addresses to them the remark
able document above quoted. He asks their opinion, TAX
ing care to explain fully just what their opinion should
be. The committeeman will therefore vote for Mr.. Baef
on pain Of having himself CHASED as a bad citizen, IN
league with the corrupt interests that are trying to ruin
the country.
Just contrast this With the method Of calling and
holding the Republican convention. whore not merely
every committeeman but every votsr Of the party had op-
portunity to sxprsss himself fully and directly, without
being subjected TO pressure from any direction, Think
this over. aud do not fail to read Mr.. Thorson,s connu-
nication to the committeeman.