The Bismarck tribune., 1919-04-01

this mighty economic machine into
operation, or make laws under which
named public utilities could be put
over.
The 9th Of January our representa-
tives gathered in Bismarck to write
instructions in the worm Of laws, how
this mighty mashlne was to be asSlm-
Hated and operated The farmer
wanted the league program carried
out, and the leg s.ato,s were detern,-
ined to carry IL out.
During the session Of the ieois-
lature two years ago, the League
caucuses were held in very
zcredtapie manner, the members,
after the bills had been explain
ed, were allowed to ameno and
reject without being dominated
by the '6io Chief" and all went
smooth ana democratic.
At the last session Of the leg.
isIature the "Big Chief had
gathered around \ himself a
lunch Of radical socialists with
radical theoretical hobbies, me-
asures Of vital importance, but
un-American in nature, undemo-
cratic in power, and NOT call
ed for in the league program.
The measures, that will be reterend-
ed and initiated in the coming cleo
ton, after you heard them explained
by your state Officials, will convince
you that nobody is trying to ruin the
league or tear up your organization.
i Fellow citizens Of Morton
county, ! have lived among you
for SO years, you have honored
me with different political posi-
tions, small and large, ! have
never been accused Of betrayinc
you. never been accused Of
telling you lie, and so HELP
me COD, 1 WOULD RATHER
DIE A PAUPER,, THAN BE.
TRAY YOUR CONFIDENCE.
was one Of the first boosters
for the Nonpartisan League in
Morton County. and am today.
f. helped to- endorse the first
members for the legislature,
Mr.. Mees and Mr.. Roller, and
you have reason to be proud
: Of them this very hour. They
did not betray the confidence
you placed in them. They are
good honest democratic citizens
and will not knowingly stand
for, any shady legislation.
At the last session of the legisla.
ture the league was in the majority.
The door stood wide open, the arms
were OutstretChed to receive the beau.
tiful Lady Democracy as outlined in
Governor Frazier's message.
Real democracy was what we were
all looking for, democracy where the
people in this state would rule, de-
mocracy that would be an example for
others to follow, democracy where the
people could elect and reject through
referendum law. =
But 10! What were the first fruits
after the governors beautiful mes
sage? an autocratic club, welded
over the heads Of the legislators; one
man power, scientifically planned by
bunch of radical socialistic profes.
sors that we feed with our $1,000. :;
= What would you think Of a
teacher, or father that would
instruct its child, instead Of ;.
telling the truth, to 90 home and
lie, lie like a horsethief. What
would you think Of a man that
tried to force you> to vote :
against your honest, eonscien- 70
tious convictions. after you had
taken solemn oath before God
and man, to be guided and act
uated by your conscientious
knowledge and belief?
MR.. TOWNLEY DEMANDED
THAT OF SENATOR MEEs-,
autocratic, anarchistic demands
7 like the aforesaid do not belong
to the league program and are
much less tolerated in societies.
TownIey is not roasting the
state officials as 'fools" and
"traitors' because they object
to few radical soc;aIistic bills
that had never been discussed
| as a part of the league program.
Fellow, citizens, you will learn in
time why Townleyism is falling by
the road side, but not the. league
| had the firm belief that TOwnley
in his movement was second Abe
Lincoln. that he was absolutely hon
est, but he betrayed my confidence
when he said to Mr. Mees "Go home