The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-14
viii not be dictated to by Town

will not be dictated to by Town
Iey." ......
That sentiment has spread all
through the state, according to the
verdict Of this man, and he has had
an opportunity Of getting in very
close touch with the trend Of af-
FGaiFs.
Another element that the Indepen-
dents cite as auguring well for their
candidates Is the fact that there are,
on the firing line actively supporting
Steen and the Independent ticket,
large groups OF men who were active
supporters Of Frazier and the league
ticket two years ago. They now are
absolutely against Frazier and the
Townley picked ticket. The fact
that Frazier had a. margin Of only
4, 100 votes in the 1915 election has
spurred his opponents on to make a
hot battle, and they feel confident
they are going to win.
This year, all opposition. Is CEN
tered on single set OF candidates.
Two years ago the opposition was
split between three candidates,
while the league was absolutely
united. ...
Two years ago the N. P. Johnson
faction in the Society Of Equity, the
e. 0. Nelson OF Hatton element in
Trail county, the Theo. Nelson fol-
lowing in Dunn and other western
counties, the Farmers Union officers
in the southwestern district; the
Tiegen-H Hill supporters in Bottineau
county, the Everson men in Grggs
and adjoining counties, and numer-
GUS other groups of greater or, lesser
strength throughout the state, were
lined up solidly for the league cand1-
dotes, 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 re-
instated.
Small Number Participate.
In the First congressional district,
where John Baer was elected to con-
gress in a special election partici-
pated in by about two thirds of all
the voters Of the district, Baer re-
ceived approximately half the votes
cast, or one-third OF all the votes in
the district. This time it is con-
fldently anticipated 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 seven other names on the
ballot when he was originally elect
ed, must gather a. great deal Of ad-
ditional strength to be successful in
capturing the Republican nonina-
ton. Baer, a Democrat, under the
rule ordered by Townley, filed as a,
Republican candidate.
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 Democratic
votes, estimated at from 1000 to
5000 Of the $4,000 that he polled last
year. is a further handicap that Baer
must overcome to win against H. G..
Wick, Of Cavalier, now backed by
all elements that are opposed to the
Townley program.
Fargo Vote On Congress.
Much has been made Of the fact
that Baer, in 1917, had g. plurality OF
the votes cast in Fargo. His vote
was 667 in Fargo, only about HOO
out Of the city's actual vote Of about
$500 or 1000 being cast, Baers
total vote then was about a sixth or
a seventh part Of the citys actual
voting strength.
lBaer's endorsement by the league
Convention in Fargo last year, and
his subsequent election, done at the
instance of Townley, divorced from
the league the support of a. great
many members who felt that their