The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-20

by L. A. Knoke Of Willow City, who
ran for state office on the Socialist
ticket at the last election, and L. L.
Stair of Bottineau. They produced
q series of questions pertaining to
the aims of the new party and were
answered by M. Tiegen of Kramer,
one of the organizers Of the new
party. Mr.. Tiegen is one OF the
states most prominent farmers and
was one of the men who first Joined
the Nonpartisan league. His desire
to do his own thinking soon brought
him before Townley's attention and
Tiegen's insistent demand that the
farmers have a voice in the execu-
tive work of the league placed him
in bad graces with the head Of the
league. Mr.. Tiegen has been identi-
fed with the Equity since its organi-
cation and the differences between
him and Townley widened greatly
when NJ. p. Johnson, president OF
the Equity, gave out statement
criticizing the action Of Governor
measure for a terminal elevator
passed at the last session. They
met at an impromptu meeting OF the
Nonparttsan league leaders held in
fargo after the annual convention Of
the Equity society last spring: 1t
was at this meeting that Mr.. Town
ley opened fire on Tiegen and john
son, and is reported as declaring he
would not be dictated to by any
white haired Norwegian or long
faced Swede."
The convention at Omemee had to
be adjourned 20 permit many Of the
farmers in attendance to make train
connections for their homes. Plans
were made before adjournment, hows
ever, for a meeting early in January
when Nonparttsan representatives
win be invited to debate with mem
bers OF the new league on the plat
form OF the two organizations.
The platform Of the North Dakota
Farmers league as announced to the
meeting by Mr.. Tiegen follows:
believing that the North Dakota
farmers should organize and that
the organization should be under the
absolute control OF the North Dakota
farmers and for the purpose OF de-
feating certain vicious measures that
have been agitated during the past
eighteen months and for the purpose
Of furthering certain measures that
we believe would be beneficial both
from q social and economic stand
point, we hereby organize ourselves
as the North Dakota Farmers league
and submit to the voters the follow
ing platform and program:
I'VE are unalterably opposed to
the passage Of any such measure as
that known i'm the late legislative
assembly as House Bill No. A. We
believe that Article / in Section "a
OF the declaration OF rights in that
measure absolutely paves the way
for unsafe and detrimental enter
prises.
We are opposed to the section in
House Bill No. A which makes it
possible to bring about the unlimited
bonding Of the state and its political
subdivisions; removing the safe
guards that have served as protec-
ton in regard to bonding questions
since North Dakota was admitted as
a state, would. In our Judgment, place
our homes in jeopardy.
We view with distrust and are
firm in our opposition to that section
Of House Bill No. "A which would
make II possible to curtail our poii-
Meal privileges by taking from ms the
right to elect state. county and town
ship officers. This ID. un- American
and in direct conflict with the spirit
Of democracy that has ever been
held dear to American hearts.
we favor the enactment OF laws
that viii enable the farmers of North
Dakota TO enter upon enlarged fields