New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-07-20


Townley, president, and
Il Joseph A. Gilbert, or
ganizer, of the Nonpar-
tisan League, at Jackson, Mimi, on
July II, on the charge of conspir-
ing to teach disloyalty in viola
ton of Minnesota law, is of un-
usual interest because the verdict
follows shortly after the ratifca-
ton of the leagues seven drastic
legislative reform measures by the
people of North Dakota and also
because the jury was composed of
farmers.
The indictment against the two
leaders had been returned last year
prior to the recent campaign in be-
half of the North Dakota reforms.
The Nonpartisan League is made
up chiefly of farmers, and, accord
ing to Townley, has membership
at present of about 100000 in the
United States.
The leagues supporters in
North Dakota expect the Supreme
Court of Minnesota to reverse the
verdict. Opponents of the league
are equally confident that the YER
dict will stand. Townley and Gil
bert declare the trial unfair.
Indicted on Speeches
The defence contended that
speeches by Townley and Gilbert
at mass meetings in Minnesota
early in 1918 were not disloyal as
to their references to the govern
ment and the prosecution. of the
war. These speeches were made
the basis Of the indictment, to-
gether with circulation of the Non
partisan Leagues so-called war
programme over Townley's sigma
ture.
During the three weeks of the
trial the defence made repeated
charges that the case is an out
growth Of efforts to injure the Non
partisan League. Testimony along
this line and also testimony by Rep
fesentative James M. Baer and
North Dakota state officials con-
corning the loyalty Of Townley and
the league was excluded by Judge
sC. Dean.
When the jury had reached its
verdict and so announced, Judge
Dean, the defendants and attor-
aeys in the case, most of whom
were at nearby hotel, were sum-
moned. When the verdict was read
neither Townley nor Gilbert showed
any emotion. The jurors announced
they took two ballots. The first
was nine to three for conviction.
The second was unanimous for con-
viction. The deliberation had lasted
TO hours.
IoWnley's Statement
Townley made the following
statement after hearing the YER
diet:
Judges and lawyers may bubble,
but in the court Of public opinion
the common sense of the people will
never approve ruling that says a
man may merely deny he is disloyal
and is forbidden to prove by con-
structive testimony that he is loyal"
Much of Judge Deans charge re-
lated to the question of conspiracy
and the fact that the guilt of one
defendant in conspiracy action is
considered the guilt of both defend
ants. Judge Dean granted a stay
Of sentence until September Is to
permit the preparation Of the court
record and the making Of motions
for a new trial. The two other
Criminal actions against Gilbert
were continued until the January
term of court. He was convicted in
the justice court at Lakefield Of un-
lawful assembiage, sentenced to
ninety days in Jail and appealed to
the district court. Both charges
are based upon the speech which
Gilbert made at Lakefeld, MINI.
January %, 1918.
When Prosecutor F. H. Nicholas
completed his argument two and
orie-half hours before the case went
TO the jury Townley made person
al plea to the court that he be per-
mitted to argue his own case.
Standing in a crowded courtroom,
iownley told the judge that he had
dismissed his attorneys, that the CO.
defendant, Gilbert, had waived the
right Of further representation by
counsel, and that he (Towpley)
asked for the privilege Of speaking