The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-21

Mitchell, S. D., Oct. 1s.-MitchelI
just now is the political capital Of
South Dakota. Here are conferred
the activities of the republican party
and the Townley Nonpartisan
league. which are graphing for con-
troll of the state. w. II. King. for
mer editor and a seasoned manager
of political campaigns. is at the head
of the republican organization. Mr..
King and the leaders Of the party
over the state. while not discounting
the resourcefulness of the opposi-
ton. predict a republican victory.
There is no doubt at all Of the
reelection of Governor Peter Nor
beck and Senator Thomas Ster-
ling" Mr.. King says. The Townley
league Is losing ground in many
Sarts of the state, Our friends are
confident we will control the legis-
Iature. G. A. Christopherson win be
elected to congress in the first dis
trict over Robert DowdelI, the demo
cratic league candidate. Royal
Johnson. now with the American
Expeditionary Forces in France,
will carry the second district by the
largest majority he has ever had. In
the third, we are hopeful OF electing
Harry Atwater over Harry Candy,
the incumbent, and Thomas Ayers.
the Townley candidate.
We have not made the mistake
of holding the Townley movement
lightly. we know ii has almost un-
limited means at its disposal and
that its paid organizers and speak
ers headed by TownIey have comb
ed the state. They are not making
converts; the most they are doing is
to stiffen the backbones of their
original adherents. OF course we
have a real fight, but we are salts
fed with the situation as Ii appears
today. The Liberty Loan drive and
the quarantine established in many
centers because OF the inuenzia cpl
demic have interfered with our
speaking campaign. Many meetings,
especially in the Black Hills. have
had 20 be cancelled. but in the final
days we are to have the help of
Senator'S A. B. Cummins and w. s..
Kenyon of Iowa and IT. b. Kellogg OF
Minnesota. Congressman +. f. Ellis
worth of Minnesota and James w.
Good Of Iowa viii aso address sew
eral meetings"
Monpartisans Desperate
The Townley campaign which is
being conducted from headquarters
in Mitchell. is directly In the hands
of o. S. Evans. Mr.. Evans has sur
rounded himself with a large force
of clerks and workers and is recog-
nized as shrewd and aggressive
leader. The Townleyites are max
ing desperate efforts TO carry the
state. They especially desire the
election of Mark p. Bates, their
candidate for governor. and a work
ing majority of the legislators who
will be sent TO Pierre. Townley has
thrown himself into the campaign
with all the aggressiveness for
which he has become celebrated He
already has canyagsed northeastern
and interior parts Of the state and
this week began tour that will
take him from Clay county to the
central west districts in the Black
Hills. Figures submitted ais to the
membership Of the league I'm South
Dakota differ greatly. League lead
ers sometimes claim a membership
of from 5000 to 10000 members;
their opponents say they really have
no more than half OF this number
and that OBJECTIONS are numerous
and constant.
The republicans have adopted the
slogan, Keep known patriots on the
tob--our country needs them" Sup
port is asked for enrbeck and Ster~
ling on account Of their war records.
So far Governor Norbech has borne
the brunt Of the enemy attack and ii
is said he has canVassed the state
as no other candidate ever has done.
Sterling, however, VIII make an ex-