Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-20
THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 20, 1918.

THURSDAY vEN1NG JUNE 20, 1918.
FARMERS INTERESTS INTACT
When the voters Of Minnesota repudiated Lindbergh,
and in doing so r%epudiated Townley and Townleyism.
they recorded no feeling Of antagonism toward the agri-
cultural interests Of the state, for the reputation was
effected largely by the votes OF the farmers themselves
One of the mischievous things in The Townley asi-
tation here and elsewhere has been the attempt to make
the farmers Of the states where the Townley movement
was in progress carry the load of disloyalty, anarchy
and unsound financial and commercial conception which
were cardinal features Of the Townley program. The
Socialist asitators who have been canvassing the farm
es for the past three years have represented to the
farmers that the Nonpartisan league movement was in
good faith intended to- enable the farmers to obtain the
redress Of grievances. On that basis they have gath
cred together a large following. But when the oppor-
tunity has come to these agitators to act, Is it did when
the North Dakota legislature was in session, there has
been given a demonstration Of tho real purpose to vic
timize the farmers rather than to benefit them, to make
Of them. the catspaws with which chestnuts were to be
raked from the fire for the benefit of the hungry agi-
tators who were ravenous for a square meal. And at
different times and in many places. these leaders have
given expression Of sentiments 20 contrary to the public
interest, 30 full Of sediious thought, that several Of
them have actually been convicted in the courts Of the
n n OLu6IB T now UnOeT. Indictment ana 0Wa1InS
trial.
The farmers have had to bear. the brunt of all this.
Townley and his aides have persdstently sought to create
the impression that the things for which they have been
censured were actually committed by the farmers. and
that criticism aimed 1t the leaders and agitators. was
directed against the farmers. When the charge has been
made that Townley was disloyal, Townley has shouted
from tho housetopA, 1.-The farmers are not disloyal!"
The result Of all this has been a good deal of confusion
In the minds Of outside observers. some of whom have
been inclined to accept Townley's statements at their
face value and place him and his farmer members in the
same category, and in the minds Of a good many of the
farmers themselves. who had heard themselves grouped
with Townley 50 long and so often that in some cases
they, themselves, appeared to believe that there might
BE- something in It -.
Minnesota has given it, answer, and that answer
- clear and unmistakeable. The people Of that state.
farmers and others alike, insist first Of all that the odium
Of disloyalty shall not attach to their state through any
act Of theirs in endorsing disloyal men. They insist, fur
ther. that the reputation Of the state as a state in which
law u respected and the orderly processes Of govern
ment are followed shall be maintained, and that there
shah DO no impairment Of its reputation as a state COM
mitted to sound economic policies and the maintenance
Of its credit IN. IN honorable manner. They have ac-
eomplshed these objects by their action at the primary
election on Last Monday.
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to impede the progress Of any movement that is for the
interest Of the farmers or any other residents Of the
state. The organisation Of farmers for the promotion
Of their business interests will proceed. Steps will be
taken for the enactment Of legislation dealing in an ef-
fectivs way with the various problems which arc pre-
sented in the DEVELOPMENT Of the life Of the state. Cues
tons Of production. Of marketing, Of the proper distri-
button Of taxation, and Of all the other matters affecting
the interests Of the people will reestvs attention. And
the right solution Of all the problems presented, instead
.ses being hindersd. - actually aided by the removal from
the situation Of the complication caused BY the activt-
ties Of Tovnlsy and his agents.
Ths issues which are before the people Of North
Dakota ars In their essentials identical with those which
ha.e bssn presented 70 me psop,s Of Minnesota. rhey
arc the sazas IN ehatactar. hut IN some cassa. they are
more acute 10 form. The farmers Of North Dakota have
suffered In pocket and II reputation from being classi-
ned With rowniey ma the things TOR which he Gtaads.
: Rsai progress hsrs has bssn impsded By the ACTIVITIES
Cot the a~oniallstie axatstora Tho rsznoval ef those as1-
sssstators from ~ aituation yfllsetartfy the III and simplify
ss@sths. situation And whom iris 81 done there WIN remain
the Fbsst ponfbls prospect Tor the rsal selu4ionS Of the
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