The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-12-09

When the Socialists who dominate
the Nonpartisan league and control
the official actions of practically all
members OF the present state admin
istration decided that they would
have to override what they have de-
fined to be the constitutional require
ment that an Initiated amendment
must have majority Of all votes
cast in the general election, In order
TO put such amendments into ! the
constitution and carry into effect
their program of state ownership of
varied industries, they had a long
way to go, particularly in view of the
election declarations by Presi
dent Townley. by Chairman William
Lemke Of the Republican state CEN
tral> committee and member of the
league executive committee, and by
Socialist newspapers they own.
A study of the prediction cam
paign literature is particularly en-
tightening at this time. in view of the
St. Paul inspired opinion produced
by the attorney general after it had
been held in allegiance several days
in the vain hope that it would not be
necessary to resort to its use, the
league Socialists having hoped, even
up to the last moment. that by some
magic the figures would reveal ac-
tuat hdJoAAIASS 1OL IiSh e1AShu
nents.
1t might be said in passing
that the opinion addressed by
Mr. LANCER to the governor, an
nounced at Bismarck late Sat-
urday afternoon. was originally
expounded by the league leaders,
Messrs Lemke, LeSeuer and
Manahan, at st. Paul about three ],
subsequently, discussed the point
with several of the officials of the
Nonpartisan league in Fargo.
The provision, contained in Section
202 of the state constitution, govern
ing in the case of initiated amend
ments to the constitution reading
that "a majority of all the legal votes
cast at such general election" are
necessary to adopt an amendment,
is the one that the attorney general
has construed as not requiring
majority of all votes cast in the cleo
ton, but merely a majority of the
votes cast upon each individual
amendment.
MIR. TownIey's Views
The words OF President Townley,
himself, addressed to the Nonparti-
SASSSAS3At
are at complete variance with the
position now taken by his servants
in this state.
In letter published in the North
Dakota Leader, addressed to league
members, issue of Oct. rs, over his
own signature, Mr.. Townley said:
$50 the first thing you do, if
you want any state elevators.
flour mills and banks. is to vote
- AAv NV
ments. It's a hard fight BE-
CAUSE MORE THAN HALF
OF ALL THE VOTES CAST
FOR GOVERNOR MUST VOTE
YES ON THE AMENDMENTS.
That is, il $4,000 vote for Frazier.
and $4,000 vote for Doyle, and
10000 vote yes on the amend
ments and 10000 vote no on the
amendments, the amendments
would not pass. All those who
voted for Frazier or Doyle but
mepts will be counted no. or
against the amendments. That
Would make the vote on the
amendments 10000 yes and Co.
900 mo- though only 10000 voted
no and the amendments would
not pass and the league program
couldn't be carried out. So you
must vote yes on the amend
ments or you will be. counted
against them All YOU have to
do to vote against the amend
ments Is to stay at home"
Further along in the same letter.
as final caution to the members,
Mr.. Townley says
"lf you vote mo- or If you fail.
10 vote at all, you are counted.
against the amendments"
Mr.. Townley, under date OF Oct.
%, in personal letter written on
the National Nonpartisan league let
terhead, and circulated by the Nom
partisan league through the Repub-