Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-05-29

1OWHiey came, lie saw, and-he
was in hurry to get to Fargo.
For years the state of North Dako-
ia has been ringing with the exploits
of A. c. Townley, president of the
Nonpartisan League. Hundreds of
persons have marveled at his per-
formances. To many it has seemed
nothing but miracle that man who
had been able to shed some eighty
thousand dollars Worth of debts by
the aid of a bankruptcy court could
in year or two succeed in turning
a state government topsy turvy, at
the same time collecting millions of
dollars from its citizens.
1t is no wonder then that the man
Townley is the object Of untold Curl
osity. Fay Harding even voiced the
situation when he introduced Townley
to the crowd that had gathered in
Linton to see him. In his introduce
tory remarks, Harding said one man
had stated that he "didn't care partic-
ularly to hear Townley talk, but that
he would give fifty cents admission
to see him"
In any case, there were people here
from all parts of the county for his
meeting. Several hundred people had
congregated to hear the Wizard
speak. In due time, table was Sc
cured and >placed in the rear of the
court house. Mr.. Townley was intro
duced by Fay Harding, and took his
place on the table. In an even, un-
emotional tone the speaker started
to talk on the Bank of North Dakota
bill, and one or two others. His talk
was unusually devoid of fireworks,
his tone nild-mannered, and his pro-
positions worded as only an expert
enced speaker could word them. He
p>kel little fun at the bankers, he
took few raps at the Bismarck Tri-
bune, the Fargo Forum and the
Grand Forks Herald. and he referred
a few times to "Big Biz" The only
time that he showed any particular
snap in his talk was when he took oc-
casion to call down Mike Smith and
another man for talking while he had
the floor. He singled out local
farmer by the name of Braunagel on
one occasion and addressed him as
"You, with the Sunday-go-to-meet
coat on"
Many people in the audience had
looked for more thrills than they got.
There was many expressions of dis
appointment when Townley finally in
formed the audience that he was in a
hurry to get to Fargo and that he
would turn the crowd over to Mr.. Ca
hill. Getting down from the impro-
vised platform, he was met by Emil
Hardt and they disappeared, arm in
arm, through, the crowd.
Il. Cahill. league banker and SEN
ator from Grant county, followed Mr..
Townley, and delivered the main ad-
dress of TIE day. He took up the dis
cussion where Townley had left off
He touched on the immigration bill,
the board of education bill. the home
builders bill and several others.
Two of the measures that are to be
voted on by the people in the coming
referendum went absolutely by de-
fault. Neither Townley nor Cahill
ever vouchsafed one single word in
defense of the one-man tax-commis-
sion bill nor the redistricting bill. 1t
is a curious coincidence that the re-
districting bill was also ignored by
Liggett at Bismarck in his debate
with Kositzky
Although not an issue in the cam
paign, Townley touched on the hail
law. That measure evoked several
questions from the audience. 1t brot
out that the adjustment of hail losses
would be made about as usual, but
esfaI SHtAcss WUuAu Uc IlO iutsOb W pay
losses until next year. However, Mr.
Townley explained that there would
be q certificate of indebtedness issued
to show that the owner, Of the lost
crop would receive his money from
the state when it did become ayail.
able.
~sTownlsy indicated that he was q
firm believer in the present Bank Of
North Dakota plan. He assured hi.
hearers that the bank bonds woult
ssll mt per cent interest. Later II
hin talk he promised The farmers that
bsy would be able 70 get money from
that hank n . Ipte 81. 4ik d ~ n
csat. Just how thsy wsrs Spine ),
- able 10 pay s per cent for none,
and loan il ont ut lsss than that, b,
did not say. OF course. there b |