The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-12
Full Text of CauStic Reply Ninnesotas Governor
Sent To The Leaders OF The Nonbdrtisan League

lions Of our fellow citizens on Euro
pean battle fields.
Not Rich Mans War.
I'VE all agree that war profiteers
should be dealt with as drastically
as 1t is possible to deal with them.
But 1t cannot be said that this Is a
rich mans war for those who have
gained most from it would have
made great profits IL the United
States had not entered it.
Il hold no brief for any class, but
to make the farmers or laboring men
believe their sons are Disseminated
against in this war, as implied In
your statement Of principle, is trea-
sonable conduct, for the rich mans
sons are conscripted proportionately
to a greater extent than the sons-of
the farmers and laborers.
Five Per Cent Called.
This is apparent because Of the
exemption of those needed to support
their dependents and the exemption
allowed because of agricultural and
industrial pursuits. Up to this date
about 5 per cent of the male popula-
ton of our country has been called
and 80 per cent OF the war taxation
has come from business profits and
incomes, falling mostly on those best
able to pay 1t.
IF any one. for money reasons,
would strive to continue this war or
make unreasonable profits through
the carrying on OF the same, such
an individual is as much of traitor
to his country, but no more of a
traitor. than he who would use this
time to divide our forces through the
creation of class hatreds and fac
tional discomfort.
Attack "sia Business.
Your leaders are continually at
lacking what you .term-Big Bust
ness. Personally / am as strongly
opposed as anyone to what is known
as government by big business.
would be equally opposed to a gov
eminent by any particular industrial
class. The public official who would
allow himself to be controlled by the
self-appointed guardians of some GER
tain element of society would there
by render himslf UNIT to hold public
office.
IF /, as governor Of this state,
would permit myself to be put in a
position where could be con- PEELED
to cater to any particular set of men
or where ] could not be fair to or
ganized or unorganized labor, to
farmers organizations or any other
organizations, to big business or to
little business, I would be unworthy
Of the confidence OF the voters Of our
commonwealth who can freely or
secretly exercise their rights of fran
chise without the payments of SIS
to INSCRIPTIONS vschemers for the
privilege of voting or being told how
to vote.
Invitation Insinesrs.
Knowing as do the political am
billions of your organization and the
false charges that some Of its lead
ers and agents have made through
your official newspapers against hon
est and patriotic public officials, !
cannot believe that back of the in
vitation you have sent me is any sin
certify of purpose. -.-.
The failure on the part of any one.
to turn over the state government
to those of your officers who have
assumed the organization OF the all
legged Nonpartisan league, and the
control of the millions of dollars col
lected from its members, undoubt-
eddy will create opposition, but /
know that such men, pretending 10
be friends of some particular class.
and deceiving some we'll intentioned
people, canont long continue their
policy Of deception. for the patriotic
farmers in the country and the loyaI
laboring men in the city know that
their true friends are among those
who strive for the maintenance of
law, order and justice, and especially
in this. the most serious hour OF ON.
history, for that unity of the Ameri-
can people essential-eto the success
ful termination of the war; e"