The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1920-10-14
BOOSTS FOR THE
FUSION TICKET
Great Issues are Before the People Of
North Dakota at the Coming
Election
FUTURE OF STATE IN BALANCE

FUTURE OF STATE IN BALANCE
Information of Value tn Electors in
Making Their Decision
The issues are clearly defined in
the political contest that is being wag-
ed in North Dakota this year. On one
side are the forces that want to carry
into full operation a system of expen-
sive and experimental Socialism, az
taught by such a master mind as Wal
ter Thomas Mills, while the other side
is contending that too much of our re-
sources are being put at stake to try
out idealistic theories, that the Equity
idea as fostered in this state was
plenty good enough without jumping
hell bent into dangerous and untried
method of handling our economic prob
\ lens.
1t is true that Walter Thomas Mills
did not start this new idea in North
Dakota, but it was started by men of
his school. The secret trips into the
state by such men as Eugene v. Debs
and Charles Edward Russell, and their
conferences with state leaders of the
Socialist party, put the plan into op-
Grafton under the guise of farmers
organization, known as the NonpaF-
tisan League.
Before our people woke up to the
men behind the scheme Lynn ]. Fra
zier, and those with him, were swept
into power by almost unanimous
vote. Soon as election was over the
underlying hand of the Socialists could
be seen and Mr.. Mills was brought
into the state at the fine salary Of
$1,000 per week to start propaganda
campaign for the making of North
Dakota an experimental field for
State Socialism.
The contest has been on ever since.
Each succeeding election there has
been a loss of power and prestige, un-
til now the Townley- Mills regime are
battling to hold on. When it is con-
sidered that the margin was cut down
to a $3.50 proposition at the primary
election there is hope Of beating tho
expensive and irresponsible expert
menters at the coming election. The
so-called Republican ticket was about
evenly divided between the contending
forces, but neither side felt they were
bound by the primaries and are at it
again with full tickets in the field. r
Fused Against Townleyism
Old party lines have been obliterat-
ed for the impending contest. It 10
fully recognized. this is not contest
between Republicans and democrats a.
those parties are known in a national
way, but the issues revolve around
whether we are to continue in So
cialistic venture, or whether we are to
work out our economic problems
through the cooperative way, such as
is being carried on by the Equity, and
whether individual rights and prop
erty shall be recognized.
That the fight may be fair one,
both sides have settled on one candi-
date for each Office all along the line
from United States senator down. It
was not the plan to carry this contest
into national matters, but the Leag-
uers are determined to carry it all
along the line, even to U. S. senators
and congressman, and the opposition
accepts the challenge.
Neither side this year is standing
for straight ticket. The Leaguers
cannot support such TRAITORS" and
"renegades" (as Townley would call
them) as Young, Hall, Steen, Stuts-
man, Christianson and Nelson, yet
these were. nominated on the Republi-
can and "No Party Designation" tick
cts contrary to the wishes of the
Townley organization. Tickets have
been filled in on both sides and there
is straight up-and-down contest,
with state issues the battle-ground.
It makes no difference to the Town.
leyites whether a man is Republi-
can or Democrat to win their sup
port. The only reason why a prepon-
derance of Republicans are recognized
in North Dakota is because the state
is naturally Republican and it is cas-
ier to elect man of that political
persuasion. Where the Democratic
party is dominant, such as Montana
and Colorado, the Democratic organ
ization is grabbed and used. It has
even been known here in North Da-
kota, when Townleyism was at its
zenith, that they even wanted to get
control of both organizations.
II Few Straight Ballots
i When the voter goes to the polls
this year they will have a rather COM
plex ballot to mark. The names Of
Geo. N. Young for Congressman,
Thomas Hall for Secretary Of State,
John Steen for State Treasurer and
u w. H. Stutsman for Railroad Commits
Psioner will be found under the Repub-
lican heading, having been nominated
there by the anti-Townley Republi-
cans. II
Z The Democratic state organization,
J in control Of the anti -Townley Dem