The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-11-22
0NPART|SANS CO.
ING STRONG IN
SOUTH DAKOTA
Believed That They Will Roll Up
10000 Votes at Spring Election
Coy. NOrbeck Will Not be
Endorsed

The Nonpartisan league is doing its
people Of South Dakota early in 1918.
The league is combing the state for
members and before primary day next
May it expects to have votes enough
to exercise political control. In any
event, someone is bound to be sur
prised-the politicians, if the league
realizes on it's prediction; the league,
if it fails to put it's program through.
The league has already done an i'm
mense amount of work in South Da-
kota. 1t has used the soft pedal in
all operations, and the politicians and
people generally are not well advised
as to the extent Of it's success. Old
time party leaders either profess un-
concern as to what the league is up to,
or frankly admit that they know
nothing at all concerning the progress
made by the organization.
Work Started a Year Ago
Nonpartisan organizers began work
in the northeastern part Of South Da-
kota more than a year ago and have
been at it steadily since The plan
was to begin on the eastern border
been maintained until the organizers
have reached line west Of Mitchell
and are fast approaching the Missouri
river. The Missouri will be crossed
the coming winter and the campaign
will lead from there direct to the
Black Hills. The propaganda is prim-
arily for farmers, but as mining peo-
pie predominate in the Black Hills,
they, and not the scattering farmers
there will be solicited. Thus a COM
prehensive battle campaign is being
worked out with the whole state as a
field for operations. Later, there
will be second drive over much of the
territory swept by the first invasion.
Results to this time seem to JUS
tify the claims and predictions made
occasionally by the Nonpartisan lead
ers. Fifty to sixty organizers, it is
asserted, have enrolled something
more than $4,000 members. By May
of 1918 the prediction is made by
league spokesmen that the enrolment
will be between 10000 and $4,000,
and nearer the latter figure than the
first. All league members are voters
and compact body of 10000 men
can Just about swing things in South
Dakota.
Norbeck Not in Favor
Governor Peter Norbeck is popu-
lar man in South Dakota, but he is
not at all popular with the men be-
hind the league who will make it GER
tain that he is not indorsed for re-
election. The governor has solidi-
fed the factions Of the republican
party, but many Of his acts have dis
pleased Nonpartisan leaders and there
is good reason to believe that his
downfall has been decreed by Mr..
Townley. The national president de-
sires first Of all a farmer candidate
for governor. He took Frazier from
farm in North Dakota and made him
governor. He hopes and expects to
find second Frazier in South Dakota.
Charles Boreson of Dawson county
fills the Townley specifications for
governor pretty we'll and no one need
be surprised if political lightning
strikes him. He is one of the most
prominent farmer members OF the
league in the Sunshine state. He is
state senator and is experienced IN
legislation and state affairs. He prob
ably would not shine on the platform,
but he has many other qualities which
make him logical candidate from the
standpoint of the league slatemakers'
He is in the prime of life and has the
means and ability to make thorough
going campaign. Everybody respects
Senator Boreson, and if the league
backs him for governor he will speedi-
ly become factor that must be taken
into consideration.