Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1919-09-17

41-THE ToWNLEY TRIAL

any community so disposed to get into
the imelight, and just now jackson
County, Minnesota enjoys co that
distinction. And all because certain
over Jealous public officials in that
county thought they could stay the on
ward march of the principles of the
Nonpartisan League by prosecuting
perhaps prosecuting would be a better
Word-some of its highest officers.
have not seen copy of that won
derful document, the Indictment
drawn up by County Attorney Nicho-
las, but understand the substance of
the charge is that Townley and Gilbert
entered into conspiracy by which
the latter was to say things tending
to discourage men from enlisting in
the army when the country was en-
gagged in war. This is an offense
against the United States government.
but strange to say, the National gov
eminent had no part in this trial. The
ever vigilant officials whose duty it is
to prosecute all such cases, and all at
the expense of the National treasury,
left the bill to be footed by the Jack
son county taxpayers, and the glory
% honor CD and credit CO to fall
upon Attorney Nicholas and Judge
Dean.
| Is not this a plain case of political
persecution? The prosecuting officials
were confessedly bitter political enc
mics OF the League and its leaders.
| 10 d1scredit TOwnley in the eyes Of
members and prospective members of
the organization, and of the public in
general at this distance, seems to
| have been the main purpose of the
trial. Such proceedings don't get
anybody anywhere in the long run.
| The American people love fair play
and a square fight when fighting must
follow. i
| AS test of what the average voter
in Minnesota thinks of these Off
Gals, they ought to run for some state
! office. Let me suggest ticket that
should be a winner If the auti-league
| forces are to dominate Minnesota in
the future. For governor let US name
Julius Schmahl. He has the guberna-
torial "bee in his bonnet" working
overtime, and he should be acceptable
to the interests. DR.. J. A. Gates Of
| Kenyon would do for a running mate.
Then Nicholas for Attorney General
for starter and Judge Dean for the
| Supreme Court. Ferd. Teigen would
make suitable candidate for Secre-
tary of State. The late lamented
"Rev." S.. B. Maxwell, if he has polit-
ical aspirations, could go on the ticket
| tor Auditor Of State. This would be a
| great ticket Of League and farmer
haters, and ought to sweep the state
from one end to the other if the steel
trust is omnipotent.
Taking another view of the matter,
| l would like to ask if Attorney Mich
olas and his crowd are not really
Strengthening the hands Of ToWnley
and boosting the League? To say
nothing of the chances of the Supreme
Courts undoing their work, don't these
superpatriots know that doings of
this kind merely cement the conf
| dence of the rank and file of the or
ganization in their great leader? The
faith of the membership in the good
intentions and honest purposes of
their leaders cannot be shattered by
prosecutions. The more big business
! interests fight Townley, the greater the
strength of the League. You can't
| stop this movement by open warfare
| on its trusted leaders. Such tactics
is simply proof to the boys in the
trenches that the men at the head of
| things are not for sale.
l doubt even if Nicholas and Dean
have strengthened their support right
at home by their efforts to convict
| Townley of something that would
| weaken his hold upon the hearts and
| minds of the agricultural classes in
this country
The farmers Of Martin and Jackson
| counties are just as we'll read, just as
| Intelligent, just as free from prejudice,
and have the same common interests
as the farmers of the banner League
counties of Douglas or Kandiyohi, and
with an equal amount Of effort they
will respond as have the farmers in
the sections named.
Martin and Jackson were among the
first to organize farmers clubs before
the League was heard of, and they are
maintaining them still and operating
them very successfully. Both counties
have g0odly number of farmers CO.
operative enterprises working in har-
mony and along lines similar to the
League.
These two counties should be cover
ed with the best and ablest organizers,
picnics and harvest home gatherings
should be held in every township, ad-
dresses by men like Bowen and Thorn
ason and others l might name. If
health permitted, would like nothing
| better myself than to aid in carrying
League propaganda right into the sup
posed heart Of the enemys country.
| Anyhow they have got to fight his bat
tie out before the farmers of America.
We are willing and indeed glad to
| meet the spoilsmen and the defenders
of privilege everywhere that an audi