The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1920-03-25
LANCER CANDIDATE
FOR GOVERNOR ND.
Attorney General Seeks Republican
Nomination to Defeat Townley
Organization

Fargo, n d., March 23.-William
LANCER, North Dakota attorney gen.
eral, is a candidate for the republican
nomination for the governorship Of the
state. Mr.. LANCER announced HIS can
didacy today.
Mr.. Langer's announcement is made
in a letter addressed to Victor Ander-
son, Simon J. Nagel and J. w. Evans,
officers of the Farmers Federated
clubs, and of LANCER for Governor
clubs.
His platform, as announced, calls
for rural credit banks operated at cost,
state owned -four mills operated under
non political management, a more prac
tical and efficient hail insurance law,
irrigation in western North Dakota.
protection of legitimate private bust
ness, increased salaries for school
teachers and better school conditions,
reduced living costs, equal dealings
for the laborer, the farmer, the bust
ress and professional man, decentral-
ization of power now held by the gov
eminent, impartial accounting by state
il. Industries, assistance for returned SOL
diers, state assistance for cooperative
enterprises, farmer representation on
all state boards, return Of power to
the state superintendent of instruction
and lower taxes
Mr.. Langer's letter follows:
"In reply to the resolutions passed
by the Farmers Federated clubs, re-
guessing that / become a candidate for
governor, and also influenced by the
position from more than 10000 citizens
CT the state who hl7e banded them
selves. together in LANCER for Cover
nor clubs, I accede to your wishes and
will become a progressive republican
candidate for governor, provided my
platform of principles proves to be
satisfactory to both organizations.
Three years ago, when a candidate
for attorney general, I publicly pledg-
ed my best efforts to serve all the
people of the state. That pledge l
have Eei& ! have been the attorney
general Tor all the people. and have
not permitted myself to become he
ohattel. rubber stamp. plaything or
tool of A. C. Townley or any other
political boss.
al have honestly used my utmost
endeavor to carry out the platform
upon which | was elected. On the
ether hand, Townley has made no
honest effort to carry out that pro-
gram, but has acted at all times from
selfish motives and has built up a
personal political machine which is
controlled by him, and which not only
extends to the newspapers and banks
which he has organized, but reaches
into every legislative hall of the state,
an even controls many state officials.
1.-The time has come for the people
Of the state to decide whether the seat
of the government or North Dakota
shall be brought back to Bismarck
from st. Paul. and whether the people
or Townley shall rule. The people
must decide whether a state official
under a solemn oath to serve the
people must be the abject, tool OF
Townley or be sacrificed.
'MIore than a year g ! dedicated
myself to the defeat of Townley and
his ring of imported politicians. My
tours through the state and the petit
ton of thousands of farmers and 9TH
crs have convinced me that the fight
car best be continued by my becoming
a candidate for governor at this time"