Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-12
REsTIvENESS in THE LEAGUE

! When the Nonparttsan league was organized It was
evident to a large number Of peop1athat the character of
its management was such as to make 1t a menace to the
welfare of the state If it should ever become the dom,-
nant force in the state, and that the conditions under
which it was controlled were such as to become exceed
ingly unsatisfactory to the members themselves as soon
as the character of that control became we'll understood
~byNthem- Effogs have been made in various quarters to
point out the true conditions, and, as is inevitable in all
such cases, and was unavoidable in this, criticism OF. that
which was unsouhd and sistster in the management was
twisted by the management into the appearance of criti-
cisn Of the rank and file Of the league membership and
reflections on the capacity and good faith Of the men,
bers. The natural4result was to bring into closer union
those members who had faith in the management of their
association in defense against what they believed to be
unjust criticism Of individuals whose interest in the sub
ject was wholly selfish.
All of that was foreseen. 1t could not have been
avoided. 1t is one Of the unavoidable features attendant
on a discussion Of mistaken plans and policies in which
many people are interested. But while the efforts which
have been made to set forth the facts with reference to
the management of the league have. been misinterpreted
by many people, and have been directly falsified by the
director Of the league himself, they have had their influ-
ence, nevertheless, and have caused many people to
think seriously who had been disposed to take the glib
assurances given them at their face value.
1t was certain, also. that in process of time, the spirit
W w. SAOAA0NS t"AsSSeAA AAS AS0RASA L6CAls
There have been many dictators, but nsman can be a
dictator long. It is a matter OF common knowledge that
many Of the private members Of the league resent the as
sumption Of autocratic powers by one man. That feeling
is quite general, but 1t >has not crystalized Itself into ac-
ton. Now, as a separate feature, come the expressions
of dissatisfaction from league organizers who have wear
led Of the steel glove and the rod Of iron and demand
something different in the form Of government.
With the motives which actuate the organizers Of this
particular rebellion we who are outside the league, and
have commented from the standpoint Of citizens and not
of members. need have little concern. League papers are
just now busy denouncing the organizers Of this revolt as
crooks and traitors. So be 1t. But It must be reinem-
bered that these men, who are now charged with every
thing infamouA. were but ~yssterday the trusted li1uten.
ants Of A. G. Townley. They ran his errands. carried his
appeared with him onl public platforms, ana wore part
and parcel Of his managerial organization. They have
not changed greatly in aiweek OF q month. And IL these
men who are now denounced by the Townley press are
as the Townley>prrss describes. they were the same sort
|of men q few weeks 81 months asc when they were do
ing the work assigned to them by the bass and giving the
farmers Of the stats instruction ii political wisdom ana
economic ~noFality.
~ u for ths smnsnnbers 81 the league themselves to
place their own estimate ON these men and their motives
ION MrsTownley md his motives, and to reconcile as best
they may what II being told them now WITH what hey
verystold 4 1ewsweeks - sak
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ycu hssr rim, 4 III opt5 AEain. Il you dont hear him, 10
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