The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-11-21
AN EMPTY VICTORY.


Official returns are coming in slowly, but enough
is known to indicate that the farmers OF North
Dakota have repudated socialism with the assist
ance of the vote in the cities.
Townley and his St. Paul junta Of red gard So
ciasts will not be able to overturn CONSTITUTIONAL
government in this state if available returns are
Indicative of final results.
In practically every county reported not enough
votes were cast on the amendments to secure
majority of all persons voting at the eection'
Many people turned in blank ballots which were
as potent as votes against socialism, others sp1l.
their ticket picking out an amendment mere ana
there which also has had a decided tenoehcS 70
decrease the vote on'tho vital amendments; the
lifting of the debt limit and the letting down OF
the bars to unlimited and unrestricted issuance Oh
bonds.
The election of Frazier was never seriously
Questioned Admirers of the clean cut campaign
conducted b. S. j. Doyle hoped that some upheaVal
against the present spineless admin s'ra'lon
might give North Dakota real governor.
But with the amendments defeated, tie league
officials must keep within the present constltu-
tional limits which give sufficient guarantees that
land will not be con1lscated and all kinds OF social
istic experiments INDUCED in
Without the passage of the drastic amendments,
the election of the league ticket is an empty VIC
tory; a success without the desired spolls; pos
session of the offices without accesstothe peoples
school fund.
Ill The red flag is stiH At half mast in North Da-
tkota and if the farmev within the next two years
clean house, there Is little Danger of it gaining
further ascendancv here.
There is evidence 90 1ywhere in the vote,
that the farmers are thinking more seriously OF
the dire consequences which would result IN tol-
lowing the socialistc vagaries of Townley, Lemke,
sLeSeler and the single tax advocate, Walter 1.
Mills.
4 The defeat of nearly all the constitutional
amendments can be credited largely to the excel
lent work of Mr. Doyle sn,l the 'joint campaign
committee. 4~
Mr.. Doyle's personal candidacy everywhere was
subordinated to the larger and more important
economic issues upon whose defeat so much de-
pended Mr. Doyle's clean cut analysis OF the
issues turned many farmers from the destructive
leadership of Towncy.
Frazier's candidacy had a ,'rong sentimental
appeal for the farmers Of the state. He is the
first simon pure farmer governor. Many Of them
felt that if he were properly shackled by defeat
of the Townley amendments, they would &C.
cord him the usual courtesy Of a second term.
Circumscribed by a debt limit and other const
tutional restrictions, Mr.. Frazier cannot follow al
of Townley's leads. North Dakota farmers re-
fused " to sill' his hand and he must rely on the
same old trumps.
The returns reflect defeat for Townley, LIE
Seuer, Mills and Lemke. Governor Frazier car
take what pleasure he may from the persona
tribute his vote implies. If the farmers preferred
to place bouquet in his hands rather than tw'
edge sword, it is another indication that the NORTH
Dakota farmers are still sane on economic issues
and do not care to join Mr.. Townley in his social
istic JOY ride.
An empty victory.
A bas Townleyism.
A bas socialism.
Spa was an appropriate place for Bill finally t.
+Lo of dof