The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-06-07
LEAGUES LITERATURE
CALLED REASONABLE.
Contention Of State As Put
Up to the High Court
ARGUED BEFORE JUDGES
Matter Called To Attention of
Supreme Judges at the
Hearing Today


Nonpartisan league literature is
called reasonable and hinGrance to
the successful prosecution of the var
in the states brief filed in the state
supreme court in connection 9Th the
cases of A. C. Townley, and Joseph
Gilbert, league chief, says The Min
neapolis Tribune.
Arguments on questions raised by
the indictments of Townley and Gill
bert in Martin county were heard in
the supreme court today. The brief
already filed in advance of the argu-
:nents was prepared by Albert R..
Allen county attorney of Martin COUP
ty Clifford L. Hilton, attorney gen.
eral, and James E. Markham, assist
ant attorney general, will appear
with Mr. Allen to represent the state.
'In peace times Townleyism might
be harmless" says the states brief.
At most it could then only proceed
slowly. But such propaganda during
the worlds war is assistance to Ger
many and opposition to America"
Based On Pamphlet.
The Townley and Gilbert indict-
ments are based on the pamphlet set
ting forth the aims of the Nonparti-
san league and on resolutions adopt
ed last fall. The league chiefs are
accused of having attempted to dis
courage military enlistments and
other aid by citizens toward prose-
cutting the war by publishing and dis
tributing their literature.
Thomas v. Sullivan, Townley's can
didate for attorney general, F. A..
Pike and other league attorneys de-
Tending Townley and Gilbert are
contending that the allegations in the
indictments do not charge public Of
lenses. Their demurrer on that ground
was overruled by Judge C. m. Tiff
of the district court who then asked
the supreme court for ruling on
that question and also as to the val
idity of the law under which the true
bills were found.
Attorney General Clifford L. Hill
ton, James E. Markham of his staff,
and A. r. Allen, Martin county at
torney, are upholding the law against
the attack by counsel of the Nonpar
Townley and Gilbert are accused in
one indictment of attempting to dis
courage enlistments by publishing and
circulating the war program and
other information of the Nonpartisan
league.
What Pamphlet Teaches.
This pamphlet, the states brief,
says, implies, argues and teaches:
That America had no cause for enter
ing the war; that her liberties are
not endangered; that democracy is
now safe; that Americas war is one of
aggression; that she is attempting
unjust invasion of Germany; that our
armies are not necessarily" employ
ed; that our soldiers are not fighting
for freedom or civilization; That they
are unnecessarily sent to battle in an
unjust cause; that they are fighting
for the profit of corporations, and for
their own economic enslavement;
that they are fighting to aid profit
eering; that our president and con-
gress, among other "adroit rulers of
the world" are making "convulsive
efforts to control the markets and
promote profiteering; that our ''rul
ers" are equally blameworthy with
the abhorred kaiser, and more so be-
cause he is willing to make peace on
their terms, (the Status quo ante,")
and the United States is not; that
America merely represents a rival
group of profteering capitalistic COR
porations who are playing with other
rival groups, of similar monsters "a
deadly game for commercial suprem-
acy."
For Kaiser's Peace.
The states attorneys are maintain
ing also that the leagues stand is
that the government should declare 2
many's terms. Referring further to
the league literature in question they
assert:
"When camoufaged by Nonpartisan
pretensions and assisted by misled
farmers, it's seductive danger to the
car and kaiser hating people of Min
nesota is clear; it cannot deceive her
courts" says the brief.
limitations that America is fighting
a rich mans war and omissions of
any mention that America has good
and just cause for engaging in the
war are pointed out by the state in
brief.
The remaining indictment against
Townley and Gilbert is based on the
publication and circulation in Martin
county of resolutions adopted at the
league conference September 18 to %
in st. Paul.
Excerpts quoted follow:
The Paragraph Quoted.
"The moving cause of this world
war was and is political autocracy
I used to perpetuate and extend indus
trial autpcracy. It is the struggle Of
political ;oyerlords to extend and per-
petuate their power and to rob and
exploit their fellow men. Autocratit
rulers who have robbed and exploited
the fathers and mothers now slaughter
the children for the single purpose OF
entrenching themselves in their in
famous position and securing and lie.
CALLING their position of the fruits
Of others toll and thrusting the worlt
under the yoke of political autocracy
which is ever the shield and masl
of Industrial autocracy."
This paragraph from the alleged
disloyai Nonpartsan statement o
principles also will be reviewed b,
the highest state court in determining
the sufficiency of the accusations il
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