The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-05
The DAILY. mSSOULlAN
eSrAellsHED 1879
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY s, 1918.
TRIALS OF THE DIsLOYAL.

northwest have suffered, some
what, in the view Of the public, be-
cause OF the blatant, boastful so
cialist leaders of the Non-Partisan
league. Townley included, who
have tried to fool the people INTO
believing that the movement IN
clnded the entire farming popu-
lation from st. Paul to Seattle.
There are many thousands OF
loyal farmers who not only have
no sympathy with Townley and
his lieutenants, but are sternly
resisting the movement. Very
many of them are members OF The
Equity, which, as we have said,
is an entirely worthy organiza-
ton founded for excellent pur-
poses, and, in most instances,
managed with great intelligence
and satisfaction to the members.
We have especially in mind the
success Of the Equity association
of the seven counties of western
Montana, the members of which
have no use for Townley and his
political adventnrers.
We call the attention OF those
farmers who have been half per-
ssuaded TO join the organization
over which Townley presides, to
two bits of news recently pub
lished, Of which the first is as
follows:
Mortified. Mimi, Jan. a1.--
Sheriff Charles Livingston Of Fari-
bault arrived here today and issued
orders to N. S. Randall, National
Nom Partisan league organizer not
to hold q meeting of that organiza-
ton scheduled for that place for
this afternoon.
Acting on protests from farmers
in all sections surrounding North
field, the city council passed reso-
lutions yesterday declaring that the
Non Partisan league meeting could
not be held here. All farmers in
this section and the presidents of
the farmers clubs in this neighbour
hood were communicated with and
all declared IN favor Of keeping the
Nom Partisan league out of this
territory.
Mayor A. O. Netland was add
vlsed by one farmers club that
should the city and county authori-
ties be unable to prevent the meet
ing, an organization was being per-
fected among the farmers which
would.
Sheriff Livingston announced he
would remain In Northfield until
the organizers left. and would use
force if necessary. to prevent the
scheduled meeting.
Refusal to permit these dis,
loyal, Socialistic, Non-Parlisar
league agitators to speak has beer
rather common in Minnesota
Townley, himself, has been pre-
vented OH several occasions from
speaking. The significant phas,
of this news item is that the farm
ers around Mortified are Thu
ones most active in barring thes'
agitators from propaganda IL
their neighborhood.
Another item on the same da,
from Minnesota reads:
Glencoe, Mimi, Jan. 31.-The
order of Sheriff Frank Klaus of
Mcleod county that the Non Par
tisan league meeting called here at
p. m. yesterday could not be held,
was carried out without any dis
turbance. Leon Durocher and c. j.
Townley, brother of G. A. Town
ley, president of the league, were
here for the meeting
The announcement of Sheriff
Klaus that the session could not be
held, came after the receipt of II
telegram from Governor Burnquist,
which advised the sheriff that
should there be any possibility of
disloyal utterances, or the result of
the meeting be such rs to promote
disloyalty, il could not be held. I'M
mediately Sheriff klaus announced
that the meeting was off.
Since Townley has been pro
claiming from the housctops hi
loyalty to the flag, following hi
seditious and dlsloyal utterancc
last June for which he was cite
by the Minnesota State Council o
Defense, is it not pertinent to in
quire why he does not attempt l.
convert his own brother TO tn
cause of patriotism?
We hope that the patriotic Gill
Zeps of Montana, as we'll as tn
farmers to whom these agitator
are appealing, will think abou
these recent occurrences and hes
ltate before throwing their for
tunes with a buccancer Of sclfisl
politics, like Mr. Townley.