Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-05-11
NORTH DAKOTA INDEPENDENT
REPUBLICANS TURN ATTENTION
TOWARD CONVENTION AT MINOT.
LANCER Ha. Best Chance But
Harmony Is Necessary To
Place Him IN Line To Make
Race Against Townleyite;
Many Delegates In City.
lBy Staff correspondent,s

:, Minot, N. D., May 11.7--With APP
proximately $50 delegates already
here for the independent republican
state convention which opens Wednes-
day it is apparent that the candidacy
of Attorney General William LANCER
for the guberna!orial nomination will
be the chief issue to be fought out ON
the floor of the convention. The need
for harmony, if the Townley forces
are to be defeated in the state pri-
maries in June. is generally recognize
ed. and If the question of the COVER
norship can be safely disposed of.
there is little likelihood Of any diff
Guilty in adopting a platform which
will be satisfactory to all or in select
ing candidates Tor the minor state Of
fees
+ Langcr Has Best Chance.
LANCER unquestionably has more
strength than any other one candi-
date. His supporters claim that he
will be nominated on the first ballot
but at the present time it is difficult
to predict whether or not his strength
will be sufficient to give him a ma
jority over the combined forces of r..
A. Nestos Of Minot. John Stecn OF
Rugby, Harrison Garnett of ST ThonN-
as. and Louis Crawford of Sentinel
Butte, all of whom are being support
ed by groups of varying Importance.
Next to LANCER, R. A. Nestos of Mi
not has by far the strongest following
and if the attorney general fails, to
win, the nomination on the first ballot
the, supporters of the other candidates
will swing to the Ward county man.
There are the usual rumors Of COM
promises and dark horses" with
Major Frank Henry of Valley City be-
ing mentioned as one Of the poSsibili-
i-ties in the equine role.
1t is generally conceded by the OPP
ponents of Mr.. Langer that the only
chance of defeating him for the nom
ination is to unite on a single candi-
date. Further Capitalization of, senti-
ment along this line is likel? before
the convention assemblies formally
| Wednesday. In regard to the other
/ offices for which candidates are to be
nominated there is much confusion.
1, For U. S. senator P. D. Norton of
Mandan and Louis Crawford and
Frank. White of Valley City are being
| that LANCER may be induced to aban-
don his candidacy for governor and
come out for the senatorial toga or
/ for Congressman from the Third dis.
! trict. Senator A. j. Gronna is expect
! ed to seek endorsement for. h is re-
election.
fsss-r III fness Has Good Support.
Il Comparatively few, delegates are
! here as vet from the First congress
tsional district. but o. B. Burtness of
4 Grand Forks appears to have genera
support as a candidate against J.. M.
Baer. D. M. Creel of Devils Lake who
has also announced his candidacy is.
conceded to have little chance for the
nomination but there is some mention
| of Col. j. H. Frame of Grafton In
case he desires to make the race.
In the Second district the situation
| is stil decidedly nebulous with the
present indications pointing to the en-
dorsement of George Young for re-
1 election. -
Forr in Third.
! p. D. Norton. Louis II. Crawford
! and J. NJ. Hanlcy are all mentioned
as possible candidates in tho Thirt,
; district race. f. B. McCutcheon Of
j Minot who has announced himself is
not thought to have much strength
AS far ras} the minor state offices are
concerned there is strong tendency
{ on the part of prospective candidates
!, to hold back until the gubernatorial
situation clears up. a strong sentiment
is developing however in favor OF
placing a. woman on the ticket in ad-
dition to Miss Minnie j. Nelson. VIII,
will undoubtedly be endorsed for
superintendent Of public instruction.
IL lnlS is done second choice Will
4 probably be provided in case the
! thirty-sixth state. fails to ratify thc
suffrage amendment before the pri-
| Haries. 'tss
!. Both Langel; and Nestos arc main
i taihing headqua Fters hero and botl,
are on the ground as arc the other
prospective candidates for the noni-
lnation
A meeting Of tho executive commit
tee of the independent republicans
Twill probably be held late this after
| noon, or early this evening to mak 9
final srransa nents for the puics TO
y govern the convention.
Delegates are arriving by every
train and it is probable that nearly
all will be here by tonight. The hotels
of the city are crowded to overlooking
:. and old timers compare the present
gathering to the. conventions of the
4 old days.
Several meunbers of the Grand
Forks county delegation are already