The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-05
THE CASE OF MR.. BRINTON.

Let us try to view the Brinton case, fol-
lowing close upon the Horst and Randall
cases with calmness and as far as possible
without emotion.
Here is a brief summary Of the facts Of
the three cases.
Mr.. Horst was arrested on a charge Of
disloyal talk, but the grand jury failed to
indict him. While he was under arrest
and before the grand jury met, the Non
partisan league organs advertised him as
a special attraction and Governor Fraz-
ier's name appeared on the same list of
speakers,
Governor Frazier not only refused to
take steps to prevent Mr.. Horst speaking,
but declined to disavow the linking Of his
name with Mr.. Horst IS.
The Randall incident was more despic-
able. He had been convicted and SEN
fenced, and while his appeal was pending
he went out on the stump, and his name
twas linked as speaker with Governor
Frazier's. At the last minute he was with
drawn, the excuse being that he was too
busy with his appeal. Think Of it!
Now appears Mr. Brinton on the scene.
for trying to obstruct the operation Of the
military forces Of the United States, He
is advertised in half page and full page
displays in the league papers as a speaker,
and special emphasis is laid on the fact
that he has been arrested and indicted.
He is speaking for the leagues store
scheme, and the money to pay for these
advertisements comes from the "educa-
tional fund" Of the Consumers United
Stores. That is how the money contrib
uted by loyal farmers is being expended.
The Fargo War Organization has put
the situation up to Governor Frazier, who
is a candidate for reelection on the league
ticket, and has asked him to prevent the
appearance of Mr.. Brinton on the public
platform while he is under Indictment.
Those are the facts stated as unemotion.
ally as it is possible to present them.
No sensible man can doubt that Mr.
Brinton is appearing as speaker with the
full approval Of Governor Frazier. With
the primary day but three weeks away the
head Of the ticket should have something
to say about, league activities in North
Dakota, no matter how much of mere
fgurehead he may be. The governor of
North Dakota, therefore, on the eve of
election, is giving his tac1t approval to the
appearance of man, indicted for disloy-
atty, as a speaker for the same party he
represents and this at a time when the
greatest battle of the war is in progress
and while German submarines are seeking
American transports outside Of New York
| harbor.
Forget all the other charges ever
brought against the league leaders or Gov
ernor Frazier. Wipe the slate clean, if
you want to, and Judge him on that Incl
dent alone. The man who would
vote for him after such a damnable
and outrageous fouting Of the opinions of
loyal and decent citizens, should be
ashamed to look returned soldier in the
face.
The man who wouldn't jerk off his
coat and roll up his sleeves and VOW to
give such a candidate the everlasting lick
ing he deserves at the coming primaries,
hasn't the red blood of a rabbit.
And yet eight hundred of the cleanest
most loyal and most useful citizens of
Fargo have to accept the insults of any in
solent little puppy who happens to be
writing pieces for Mr.. TownIey's news
papers, because they have the temerity to
protest against such an outrage on public
decency.
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