New-York tribune., 1919-07-16
Head of Nonpartisan League
Begins Fight TO Set Aside
Conviction for Disloyal
Spec hes at St. Paul
Supreme Court to Decide
Fate of His Political Party in
Northwest Is Thought TO
Rest With His Appeal
Special Correspondence

Special Correspondence
: ST. PAUL, July l5.-A jury of farm
srs mas found A. c. Townley and
Joseph Gilbert guilty of teaching dis
loyalty as charged. And trends of
Townley. president, and Gilbert, for
mer organizer of the National Nom
partisan League, had believed that the
farmer jury would be favorable to
their cause.
But now Townley and Gilbert are
charging that the trial was unfair. that
ttey were not allowed to present their
evidence. and George S. Hoke, their
etief counsel, characterized the pro-
ceedings as a yellow paint party"
Nonpartisan leaguers throughout
the state are confident the verdict will
be reversed by the state Supreme
Court. On the other hand. opponents
Of the league declare Townley and Gill
bert got what was coming to them for
irrational and III considered speeches
in war time.
Few Neutrals in State
1t is hard to predict with any GER
tainty what the effect of the convic-
ton will be on the growth of the
Nonpartisan League in Minnesota and
the Northwest Only truly unbiased
analytical mind could make the predic-
ton, and such is difficult to find. for
every one in the state seems to be
for or against the league. Thinkers
incline to the belief that among true
loyalists the league lost immeasurably
by the conviction. If the verdict is
sustained by the Supreme Court it will
lose still more. Among the radicals
and semi Socialists the plea of inius-
tice voiced by Townley and his hench-
men will possibly draw some to the
league.
The trial of Townley and Gilbert
opened at Jackson, Mimi. before the
District Court June 26. 1t came to a
close Saturday. when the jury re-
turned a verdict of guilty.
The charges stated that Townley, as
president of the Nonpartisan organiza-
ton, permitted the circulation Of lit
erature criticising the war activities of
the government and permitted other
speakers to make. and he himself
made, speeches which had the effect Of
hindering the prosecution Of the war.
especially regarding the appliance of
the draft and the sale Of liberty bonds.
Testimony Of many witnesses was
offered concerning speeches made by
both Townley and Gilbert as far back
as the speech made by Townley at the
time OF the meeting held in st. Paul
BY United States Senator Robert La
Toilette IN 1917.
Conviction Is Pending
Testimony for the state hinged on
speech made by Gilbert at Lake Field,
Mimi, January %. 1918, during the
course OF which Gilbert was arrested
for alleged disloyal remarks. Townley
and Gilbert were given minor SEN
tences for unlawful assembly for
their part in this meeting. These SEN
tences still are pending
Prominent among the witnesses for
the defence was Representative J. NJ
Baer, OF Fargo, n. D. He declared the
pamphlet issued by the leaders Of the
league N 1917 setting forth the war
principles showed that the league was
i've months ahead Of President vii
sons fourteen points
Townley took charge Of his own trial
IN the closing sessions. He declared
that the winning of the case meant
his life and that he preferred to handle
1t himself
He denied tha. he had in any way
attempted to hamper the prosecution
Of the war. The keynote Of his de-
fence was that he mad carried out a
programme of patriotism, as opposed
10 profteering."
Trial Long Drawn Out
The extent Of the organization and
the breadth Of its activities caused the
trial 20 drag along for three weeks.
The defendanrs-rctably Townley--
insisted on giving mass Of proof OF
their loyalty, much of which was ex-
cluded by the court on the ground that
1t rad no bearing on the specific in
stances presented By the state.
Towrley and Gilbert were indicted
In the Jackson County court last wear.
but managed to nave tire hearing post
poned until this year