Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-02
Why the Republicans Will Hold a
Nominating Contention!

4VOSBkGBeS4IISkk
Only Legal Method Under the Laws
Ignores Salient Points and is Or
Has No Force in Law.
L. L. Twichell, secretary Of the Re-
publican state central COMMITTEES for
the First congressional district. has
issued a statement explaining the plan
of action adopted by the Republicans
in the nomination of q candidate for
congress to succeed the late H. T. Hell
gesen, and justifies the procedure az
being within the provisions of the
state laws.
Mr.. Twichell does not concede that
the attorney general. when he gave
the governor an opinion which does
away with party designation in the
special. election to be held July 10.
when a new congressman will be
selected, has given a correct inter-
probation Of the laws.
The statement by Mr.. Twichell 10
given out Al an explanation to the
Republicans Of the First district, that
they may be thoroughly informed as
to the status of h convention, and
the steps SO far taken by the Rspub-
lican committee. The statement fol-
lows:
hangers Opinion just an "Opinion'
and Not Law.
To the Republicans Of the First Con-
gressional District:
The opinion given by Attorney Gen.
eral LANCER respecting the method Of
making nominations of candidates for
the Office Of congressman from the
First congressional district, wherein
he holds that the petition method Is
the only manner in which candidates
may be nominated. If a true interpre-
tation of the law precludes there being
a Republican candidate for such Office.
Such opinion Is, however, not in ac-
cord with that of a score or more at
equal legal ability with the attorney
general, and his opinion has therefore
in no manner affected the program Of
the Republicans of such district, pro-
viding for the holding Of conventions
in the several counties Of the district
to elect delegates to the congressional
convention called for June 20. at Grand
Forks.
Such convention will be held and q
Republican nominee named, and such
party nominee will, in the opinion Of
the many attorneys consulted BY the
Republican state central committee OF
the First congressional district, be
legally entitled to appear upon the
ballot to be voted July 10, az the Re-
publican candidate for congress.
Competent Attorneys Are Agreed.
The question as to the proper meth
cd Of nominating a Republican candi-
date for congress was thoroughly In
Vestigated by competent attorneys be-
fore the call for the Grand Forks
nominating convention was made. two
meetings being held at which the
opinions Of numerous attorneys were
submitted. all holding that such NOM
ination could only be made by a con-
vention called for that purpose.
At tho first Of these meetings, there
being present nearly all of the mem-
ber1 Of the Republican state central
committee from the districts included
in the First congressional district. the
chairmen Of the Republican county
central committee Of several Of the
counties comprising the First district,
the Republican national committee
man for North Dakota, and numerous
other Republicans interested in the
selection Of a Republican to succeed
Mr.. Helgesen in congress. 1t was
agreed hat the convention method
was the proper and the only legal
manner in which a Republican candi-
date could be selected whose name
would be entitled to go upon the ballot
under the Republican designation.
This meeting unanimously recom-
mended to the members of the state
central committee Of the Republican
party representing the legislative dis
sional district, it having been deter
mihed that such members as a body
were the proper authority to call the
same, that a Republican congressional
convention be called for the purpose
Of nominating q Republican candidate
for congress-. Subsequently h mem-
bers Of the Republican state Central
committee residing in the First cons
gressional district mot upon call, and
a majority being present. such con-
vention was called by the unAnimous
vote of the committee; seventeen Of
the nineteen members of the Republi-
can state central committee residing
in the district Joined in the call, though
part Of them were socalled etalWarts,
part socalled Progressive Republicans
and part elected by the Nonpartisap
league.
An AIl-Republican Cou10en0a.
1t has been erroneously stated that
the call for the Republican con1res-
sional convention was mAde by the
Republican national committeeman
for North Dakota; thtsis incorrect. thu
call being made by the msmbers q tbs
state central committee residing N the
congressional district. only = mem-
effort to discredit the convention - b
held, It has been repeatedly nugge9ted
that the "old gang % behind the held-
ing thereof. The political a0ll1Adpn OF
the men named a. oflcers Of the con
gressional 4commfttee should ~ ample