Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-01-18
Those hardy pioneers that had the

Those hardy pioneers that had the
framing of our state constitution
buiided better than they knew when
they provided that only half of the
state senate should be elected at each
election In Bismarck today it is the
holdovers chiefly that are acting as
brake on the aspirations of a. C.
Townley and his political machine.
And but few of those hold-ovcr sena-
tors can be termed in any way poll
ticians. They are simply substan-
tial citizens of North Dakota. That
they are almost unit in their atti-
tude on many of the matters before
them is the best evidence that their
actions are honest, despite the terrif-
ic fight that has been made by the
Townley organs to convince the people
of North Dakota otherwise
The hold-over senators know that
they are facing political suicide III
opposing any of Townley's schemes If
that gentleman is able to maintain
his present hold on the farmers of
North Dakota. Nearly all Of them
prefer oblivion to surrendcrng to
those forces that seek to control them.
In days gone by these men who fill the
hold-ovcr positions have been found
representing various factions OF the
republican party. Each has had his
own idea as to those things best for
the people of the state. In the face
of this present political thunder
storm. they are united
1t is not necessary to look far to Sc
cure some light on the conditions that
exist in Bismarck today If every
League senator and representative
vii! calmly stop and consider his own
present views, he may discover tn" Sc
cret of much of the present unrest.
First and foremost, let him ask him
self at just what date he first dis
covered that he was for an cEtensirc
plan of state ownership Let him de-
tcrmine whether he arrived at his
present conclusion himself as The re-
suit Of years of experience. or did he
do so following q persuasive talk of
some league organizer who was ar
~, e., l,1l ~ -.
there was in it for him? If he is hon
est and sincere, he will have to admit
that most Of the present league pro-
gram was provided him by that
league rather than an outgrowth of his
own convictions And perhaps, fair
sized number of those legislators will
admit to themselves, at least that the
hope of political honor had something
to do with making them so subservient
to the league and its dictators
How will these league opponents
explain the articles appearing in their
official league publication during the
heat of the campaign last summer
that It was rot 9 part Of the program
to tamper with the state constitution,
when it is now being claimed that of
course the constitution must be over
thrown to permit the league plans to
go through? How can they submit
to rank attempt to overthrow tbs
provisions of the state constitution
which they swore to uphold when they
took their seats? In other words
with the constitution specific as to The
manner in which amendments shall b,
made, how can these men countenanc,
the present plan of eliminating The
necessary procedure for amendment!
by seeking to amend in fact and "re
wise" in theory?
Only recently league member pro
claimed on the floor of the senate tina
the banks and business interests hat
been robbing the farmers for years
we lIt lIalii vi iiiS oLttt
ments But, were they true, woul,
his argument not be the strongest il
the world why care should be ta!ci
in making revolutionary changes? Il
other words, if the banks and bushes
interests for years have been capabl
of robbing the farmers, isn't it barrel,
possible that smooth political free
hooters of the ilk of Townley nigh
be able to rob them as efficiently b.
misleading them with plausible plan
and programs?
The editor of the Record took occa
sion to listen to the reading of tn
new constitution when it was given it
first reading in the house. The actu
al changes are comparatively few, bu
three of those changes are absolutel
revolutionary in character. The mos
dangerous change, to our mind, is tn
procedure for future amendments.
adopted, the new constitution woui
provide for amendments at any ger
eral or special election. Instead c
being the anchor of the state by whic
government would remain normal u,