Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-11
Northwestern NeUs

AOW dlo dO0OAOlSiy o6oAAtoS
and the Townley picked ticket. The
fact that Frazier had a margin of
only $500 votes in the 1916 election
has spurred his opponents on to
make q hot battle and they feel con-
fident they are going to win.
This year. ali opposition to the
Nonpartisan league is centered on a
ago the opposition was split between
three candidates. while the league
was absolutely united.
Many Factions Helped League.
Two years ago, the NJ. d. johnson
faction in the Society of Equity; the
f. o. Nelson of Hatton element. in
Traill county: the Theo. Nelson fol-
lowing in Dunn and other western
counties; the Farmers union officers
in the southwestern district; the Tie
gen supporters in Bottineau county;
the Everson man in Griggs and ad-
joining counties. and numerous 9TH
er groups of greater or lesser strength
throughout the state, were lined up
solidly for the league candidates.
This year they not only are opposed
to the league ticket. but they are out
with their coats of, working hard.
and determined that the Townley
system shall not be reinstated.
In the First congressional district,
where John Baer was elected to con-
gress in a special election participate
ed in by about two-thirds of all the
voters Of the district, Baer received
approximately half the votes cast, or
one-third of all the votes in the dis
trict. This time it is confidently an
ticipated that there. will be a full
voting strength at the polls. That
means that Baer, opposed only by one
candidate this time. whereas there
were even other names on the ballot
when he was originally elected, must
gather a great deal of additional
ing the Republican nomination. Baer,
a Democrat. under the rule ordered
by Townley, filed as a Republican
candidate.
No Democrats for Baer.
The fact that Baer Is in the Re-
publican primaries will take from
him that Democratic support that
went to him in the special election.
for the Bloom faction isn't likely to
swing into the Republican column
to help him. This lack Of Demo-
cratic votes. estimated at from 1000
to 5000 of the $1,000 that he polled
Baer must overcome to win against
H. G. Wick of Cavalier. now backed
by all elements that arc opposed to
the Townley program.
Baers endorsement by the league
convention i'll Fargo last year, and
his subsequent election. done at the
instance of Townley, divorced from
many members who felt that their
interests were not being properly
represented.
The Nonpartisan league, presumed
to be a farmers organization, was
placed in the position Of electing to
congress. the first opportunity it had
not a farmer, but a man who had
absolutely no interests Of any kind
whatsoever in the district he wa.
resident of the district only a few
months, and his stay vas but tenn.
porary. Baer, in his present cam.
patgn. has been resorting to the car.
toon work on the platform to re.
turn him to congress, while his op.
pqpnent. Mr.. Wick, had discussed is.
sues that today are Of paramount
position with reference to them.
With the support that John Steer
is gaining throughout the state, ant
the strength that Wick is d%evelopinf
in the First district, the whole Indie,
pendent ticket is being benefited.
That the Nonpartisan leaders rec.
ognize the seriousness Of the situation
ana are determined TO make thu
greatest possible efforts to head of
the DETECTION hat is very evidentl,
, under way. is quite evident from tn.
intensity Of the campaign they ar,
making: They lave a cor Of speak,
ers in the state now, and Immediate,
following the Minnesota election, it h
expected that the whole swarm of or
. ganizers who have been engaged, i,
: Minnesota will be transported int.
. North Dakota. It will be in the ma
ture Of an attempt to stampede tn,
North Dakota vote. :"
The Independents are we'll prepar
. ed to resist that stampede effort. al
= are confident that their front viii
hold unbroken against the waves tina
] will be thrown against it in dens
formation.