The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-15
TOWNLEY AND
GILBERT MUST
STAND TRIAL


Fairmont, Mimi, March 15.-Judge
c. NJ. Tint, sitting at the trial of A.
| c. Townley, president Of the Nation
al Nonpartisan league, and Joseph
Gilbert, state secretary Of that or
Ranization, charged with con-
| spiracy TO obstruct the selectlve
| draft, overruled the demurrer asked
| by the attorneys for the defendants
and certified the case to the state
supreme. court at. the opening OF
court this morning.
Judge Tint yesterday heard the
arguments on the demurrer and
made known his decision overruling
! the request OF the attorneys for the
defense.
Arguments on the demurrer con-
sumed practically all Of yesterdays
court session. Arthur lie Sueur at
torney and executive secretary Of the
league. spoke for three hours in sup
port Of the demurrer and County
Atty. A. r. Allen, an hour and half
"Rssk With Treason"
Answering assertions of lie Sueur
that the league. its officers and liteFa-
ture are thoroughly loyal, the countI
attorney declared that the resolutions
adopted by the organization at the
La Toilette meeting in st. Paul last
fall "reek with treason. and that 10
argue that they are patriotic
"stultifies the good Judgment Of the
court.
Mr.. Allen. objected to a request Of
the league attorneys 10 the court that
in the event that the demurrer is
overruled to certify the case to the
supreme court without letting it go
TO the jury. He called this a plan to
delay a decision until next fall or
later while the doctrines are further
spread throughout the state.
President ToWnley issued the fol-
lowing personal statement yesterday
in reply to the recent criticism Of
Governor Burnquist on the league,
and its acts:
TownIsy's Statement.
Statements made by Governor
Burnquist in reply TO an invitation
OF the Nonpartisan league TO. address
its convention to be held in St. Paul
this month must be disappointing 10
thousands Of his friends and to the
farmers and organized labor Of the
state. Governor Burnquist has lower
ed the dignity OF his Office by stoop-
ing to the tactics Of the ordinary
politician. His letter to the Nom
partisan league is a slap in the face
and direct insult to over 100, 900
organized farmers and their friends
in Minnesota and $4,000 members OF
organized labor in the cities OF the
state.
such an attack and such an atti-
tude would be much more becoming
on the part Of a car or king than
from the chief executive Of the state
OF Minnesota. who was elected by the
people.
Charges OF disIoyaltv hurled at
the organized farmers and workers Of
this state are too ridiculous to de-
mand denial. Their subscriptions to
the Liberty Loan, the Red Cross and
other war relief agencies are we'll
known. The farmers, short-handed,
as they are. are now preparing to
work harder than ever and raise
greater crops to feed the United
States and its allies and support their
own sons who have gone over
there. -...sr...--
"A large part OF Governor Burn
uuists letter dealt with matters |
familiar to North Dakota farmers |
who have asserted their voice in the /
Of that state. Attacks |
by politicians are an old story TO the |
farmers, who are becoming acquatnt-
ed with attacks in this state also.
The invitation to Governor Burn
quist to address the league conven-
tion was sent in the interests OF
harmony. While the NOnpartisan 1
league may differ politically with
Governor Burnquist. the differences
are only political. and the governor
was invited with the idea Of prosecu-
ton Of the war, which is our chief
now. / regret that the gov
srnor utterly refuses to cooperate.