Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-25
PERFECTLY REGULAR

af Wllll0tn ASmko, CHAIRMAN OF the Republican state
10 quoted in a Fargo paper a. follows:
This Grand Forks convention was called by UNI
authorized persons. The state chairman is the only
person who has a right to issue q call for such a con-
vention, and I, as state chairman, had no part in the
proceedings. On the other hand, our executive COM
mittee meeting held here today represents the au-
thorised machinery of the party. and Mr.. Baer there
fore is the only regular party candidate.
MI. Lemke is mistaken in supposing that the state
chairman is the only person who has a right to issue
calls and institute proceedings on behalf Of the party of
which he is a member. If he will use his memory he
will recall that something less than a year ago, at the
same time when he was made chairman Of the Repub-
lcan committee. there was trouble among the Democrats
In connection with the organization Of their committee.
He will remember that some time after the Bismarck
meeting the supreme court was asked to declare the Of
flee Of chairman Of the Democratic committee vacant for
various and sundry reasons, and that the court declined to
take action. He will remember that the court held ju-
dicdal interference to be unnecessary for the reason that
at any time a majority Of the members could call a meet
ing, depose the old chairman and elect a new one.
In other words. the supreme court of the state is
on record In support Of the doctrine that the state CHAIR
man is not the boss. but very much the servant of the
party: that the management is vested in the members of
the committee. and not in the chairman alone: that a ma
jority Of the members may take action without consult
ing the chairman at all. and may even kick the chair
man out whenever they may become tired Of his beha-
v1or.
In tho present case, the call for a district convention
was issued by IA out Of the Is members Of the committee
residing in the First district. Every step in the arrange
msnts for the convention was taken carefully, so that am
pie opportunity might DC gwen I o mSLlUeT6 10 ScASS'
their representatives intelligently. Precinct caucusea
we're held. and the delegates elected at these met in coun-
u conventions, whore they elected delegates to the dis
trict convention. Every Republican in the district had an
opportunity to express himself with his vote. As a result
Of the convention held under these conditions. o. B
Burtness was nominated for congress.
Contrast this with tho manner in which Mr.. Bae1
was nouninated. Tho Ffr1t congressional district. as such
was ignored entirely. A group Of men who had not beer
elected or appointed for that purpose were summoned tc
a meeting. They came from all parts Of the state. and
q large majority Of them are not residents Of this dis.
trict- These men chose as tho congressional candidate
to be voted. for by tho electors Of the First district a mar
who has but recently moved into tho district. a man who
has been and Ii . Democrat, and who. prior to the time
when his name was sprung BY his Sponsors, was so utter
ballot for this position it is improbable that he would have
" unknown to the people of the district; that In a populal
received q single vote. Yet the farmers Of the distric
arc told that this IL the man for whom they must vote
and In order to strengthen the case Mr.. Lemke has sum
moned the executive committee Of the Republican party
again going outsade tho district for q majority Of thu
members, to endorse the candidacy Of Mr.. Baer. and t.
declare this Democrat tho Republican candidate for con
grosA
Mr.. Burtne1 va nominated BY a body Of mon rep
resentahve Of the Republican voters Of the district, and
the proceedings were open and above-board- Mr.. Bae
wss chosen secretly, Wa endorsed twice By persons wh'
live Outside Of tho district. and who have no business t.
NEEDLE In it, af1aia