The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-06-20
Says Governor Sought
Pledge to Support League
Before Commission
FARMER REFUSES TO
SUBMIT TO DICTATION
No Time to Drag Institu-
tions Into Politics, Says
Churchs Ferry Man

Bernt Anderson, Churchs Ferry
isn't member OF the" state board oi
| control today because he refused tc
| pledge to Governor Lynn Frazier his
support of the 'Nonpartisan league
program and the administration"
That is the statement of Mr.. Ander-
| son, made in Fargo late Tuesday
afternoon, when here en- route from
Bismarck to his home, after holding a
conference with the governor, during
which Mr.. Anderson says the execu-
tive laid down the only proviso upon
| which he would issue a commission as
| member of the board of control, to
which post the governor appointed
the Ramsey county farmer last win
ter. The appointment was confirmed
by the state senate.
Lays Down Requirement..
"Mr Frazier informed me, in the
conference had with him in Bismarck
Monday, that he would not issue a
commission to me unless I pledged
myself to support the Nonpartisan
league program and the administra-
tion," said Mr.. Anderson.
II could not submit to such dicta-
tion, and so informed the executive.
In my career as public official ]
have never been called upon to pledge
in advance what action / might take
upon matters that came up, and GER
tainly l could not consent to do so at
this time.
'If, in order to receive the commits
sion for the seat on the board Of con-
troll, / am compelled to absolutely
surrender myself certainly am not
interested in serving.
Removal From Politics Sought.
IN reviewing the history Of the
legislation by which the board Of con-
troll is created, and the establishment
Of present machinery incident to the
management Of the various penal and
charitable institutions, one finds the
main object was the removal OF the
institutions from politics, and am
unwilling to be a party to any deal
that contemplates the restoration OF
old timewconditions, by which the in
stitutions were made subject to the
passing. whims of this or that poll
tcal faction, as 1t might control the
state government.
"One Of the principal issues raised in
my conference with Governor Frazier
related to the management of the
state prison at Bismarck, and the
executive indicated a desire to have
Warden Frank Talcott ousted from
that position. 1t is a matter of law
that cause for such removal must be
established, and told Mr. Frazier
that, if a member of the board, would
not commit myself to the removal OF
Mr.. Talcott, except for cause.
Requires Competent Board.
& In the management of North Da-
kota's chain of institutions for the
states charges-the insane, the feeble
minded, the blind, as well as the wrong
doors in the penitentiary and the re-
form school, it requires the careful
attention of a competent board, and
in my opinion, the interests of the
state could not be well served by board
members who are committed to a
policy of letting somebody on the
outside, unacquainted with the details
of the gigantic business, unfamiliar
with the needs Of the various institu-
tions, dictate their actions.
i would gladly serve as a member
of the board of control, and / believe
would do so with credit to myself
and to the advantage OF the state, but
certainly never could consent to
serve under the conditions that Gov
ernor Frazier sought to exact from
me-.
Governor Suggested Removal.
The appointment of Mr.. Anderson
to the board of control was made by
Governor Frazier during the last
session of the legislature. He was
nominated for the post held by r. S.
Lewis, Fargo, who announced to the
state senate that he would resign the
position effective June 1S. On that
showing, the senate confirmed Mr.
appointment, and the only
steps remaining to complete the ap-
pointment are the issuance by the
governor of the commission, and Mr..
Anderson's qualification Hereunder.
Mr.. Frazier, in nominating Mr.. An
derson, accompanied the nomination
with a statement to the eff bet that Mr..
Lewis had not been legally appointed
to the board, and that therefore a.
vacancy existed. That issue was not
passed upon by the state senate. It
involves somewhat the same issues
that were raised in connection with
the board of regents. in which matter
the regents right to retain their Off
ces was upheld by the supreme court
OF the state.
Mr.. Anderson is pioneer farmer of
county, and served several
terms in the state legislature.