The nonpartisan leader., 1919-07-28
The History Of the Jackson Frame Up''
.Unfairness of
Case Born With Illegal Barring Of League From County
Trial Proving Boomerang to Farmer Foes

Il OeS
a boomerang far more likely to destroy the con-
sprators who hurled this cowardy missile than the
men and the movement at which it directed
Already the the street refers to the affair
as the "Townley frame up" and the general opinion
among lawyers and laymen alike is that the Min
nesota supreme court will set aside verdict OBJ
tanned through denial of the fundamental rights
which have been accorded to even the vilest GRIM
inals since time immemorial. "
LEAGUERs ILLEGALLY BARRED
FROM SPEAKING IN COUNTY
Consider the case in all it's surroundings. It's
inception letter sent to the officials of the
Nonpartisan league during the month Of February,
1918, signed by the members Of the public safety
board of Jackson county, warning them that
ganizers or speakers would not be permitted within
the county. This letter fragrant violation
\ Of the constitutional rights Of free speech and
n peaceable assembage, and Joseph Gilbert, or
4, \ ganizaton manager of the League, went to
INh Jackson county to take charge of the sit
VINl \ uation. sE
gN|l, He first met with the members Of the
\Ml, \ Lakeield Commercial club, members OF the
IN wv 'public safety board" Prosecuting Attor-a
N I'M ney Nicholas, Sheriff Lee and other Off
VX(N cials. The matter was discussed at some
1nl)N length and Gilbert finally made few
D0||P marks He was interrupted and forbidden
IO)|l | to say more. He then left the CONNER
I(H a livery barn yard. He was arrested by
MI ! the sheriff almost before he had completed
w his introduction
+ Gilbert was then tried and convicted a
charge of conducting an illegal assemblage after
farcical trial in which there was riot in the
courtroom and Gilbert's chief counsel was driven
out of town by mob before the case
pleted
As a result Of this outrage, charges of mall
feasance in office were preferred against County
Attorney Nicholas and Sheriff Lee. Governor
Burnquist "whitewashed" both officials, but, with
hatred in their hearts, they determined to ''get"
that Nicholas was egged on by the organization
of Twin Cities special interest heads who were
pouring out money like water in an effort to de-
feat the farmers movement which threatened to
put stop to their profiteering.
Gilbert was rearrested on the more serious
charge of making sedtious remarks and few
months afterwards another indictment was re-
turned against Gilbert and also against President
Townley charging them with conspiring to teach
that men should not enlist in the United States
armies or aid the government in the war against
Germany.
The basis of this indictment was the speech
made at Lakefeld by Gilbert, alleged remarks
made by League organizer, Irving Friday, and
the circulation Of Nonpartisan league pamphlet
which previously had been passed upon by the
Minnesota supreme court and it's language held
| ]. to be loyal. 4s$#
It is significant that Gilbert's Lakefeld
speech was not considered seditious
- until Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas
.----- and others saw it afforded them a
le Townley- chance to aframe up" on Townley and
justice, not it is even significant that Irving
Oye by con- Friday, the League organizer alleged
that the to have made disloyal remarks, never