The Montana nonpartisan. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1918-192?, 1918-12-14

IOWnley Reelected.
The big feature Of the c0nven-
ton was the unanimous re-elec-
ton of Mr.. Townley, and an ova-
ton seldom equalled in League
gatherings. The election Of q
president of the Nonpartisan
league is in the hands of dele
gates Of the League from each
state who are members Of the
former state committees of the
League. This is the procedure
for the election provided for in
the articles of association, but
President Townley, following his
selection for another term, an
nounced that he would not accept
it without vote of approval from
the membership of the League.
1t has, therefore, been ar
ranged to hold referendum of
the League membership. Every
member of the League will be
provided with a ballot on which
he can indicate whether or not
he approves Of the action of the
delegates in re-appointing MIR.
Townley.
If a majority of the members
of the League approve of Mr..
TOwnley's reelection, he will ac-
cept, but in the event that a ma
jority of the members do not want
to retain him as leader of the
organization, the national COM
mittee will appoint some other
man to the position, as prOvid-
ed for in the articles of ass0cia-
tion.
The action of Mr.. Townley in re-
questing this referendum of the
League membership came as a sur
prise. The delegates from the Is
states before assembling in st. Paul
had no doubt whatever, but that he
was the unanimous choice of the
League membership for re-election
and they rendered him the honor with
out discussion and amid enthusiastic
applause.
However, due to the intense fight
made on Mr.. Townley personally by
enemies of the League and to the
charges of League enemies and the
hired newspapers that Mr.. Townley
has been a dictator, he decided that
before he would continue as leader
of the organization he would have a
vote Of confidence of the membership
Arrangements for the referendum
among League members will be made
at once and the rules announced at an
early date. The referendum will be
conducted under rules made by the ma
tional committee, and it will count
the ballots and announce the result
rNb pI,,,, ,.,i11 1n
safeguarded so that every member OF
the League can express his individual
preference in the matter fairly ant
effectively. Each member will be
given an opportunity to vote for o,
against the action of the delegates ir
rc-electing Mr.. Townley.
Under the original articles of as,
sociation of the Nonpartisan league
put in effect two years ago when the
League first commenced to organize
in states outside of North Dakota
Mr. Townely's term as chairman u
the national executive committee and
therefore. as president of the League
expires January ], 1919. Under the
articles Of association as permanently
provided for by the delegates last
WYNN az Aol. eAui, A1I' Io"iIISy IlAs
been elected to another term as mem
Der of the national executive commit
tee and as president Of the League
but this election can not become per
n1anent without the approval of the
league membership under the refer
cndum hitherto mentioned.
GREAT TRIUMPH
FOR DEMOCRACY
North Dakota is 'slush-fund'
proof. Election returns available a!
the hour of going to press revea
that fact, and Judgment probably vii
be more emphatic in the ratio as the
returns near completion.
The people of North Dakota OF
election day intimated in terms thai
can not be mistaken, that they do not
propose to turn backward The in
creased progressive vote in all The
cities from which returns We're avail
able shows that the reactionaries have
lost ground in their strongholds.
H. :, ~,