The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-03-25
COMMENTS ON LANCER CANDIDACY
INDICATE ADMISSION ON PART OF.
EVERYONE THAT HE'S INEVITABLE

but, They Admit, the Only
One Who's Likely to Turn the
Trick in a Pinch-Mid-State
Press Unqualifiedly Endorses
! Attorney General
The indepndent press of North Da-
kota as represented by the principal
daily newspapers of the state has, on
the whole reacted favorably to Attor-
ney General william Langer's an
nOuncement Of his gubernatorial can
didacy. Red River valley papers as
typified by The Fargo Forum and The
Grand Forks Herald continue to view
with suspicion any political child not
brought forth by the I. Y. A.. and es'
pecially one who in early infancy sub
sisted upon TOwnley's modified Amer
lean diet But even they seem to,
tacitly consent to the proposition that
reformed Townleyite is PREFERABLE
to one who has not reformed, and tina.
NOTLu lJdkVSN AuSOS aAC AS~SS''ASS -
choosing one or the other.
THE GRAND FORKS HERALD
The Herald notes that Mr.. Langer
was twice elected to his present Office
on straight league platform and
then 1t goes on to poit out that the
league program as originally written
into the republican state platform, was
far from the socialistic monstrosity
which it has become today. Com
, pared with what it has since grown
into, the original league program was
an exceedingly moderate affair. - 7
Mr.. LANCER stood for the original pro-
gram. He has continued to stand for
it. He has objected to a number Of
the additions which have been made.
repudiating them as unnecessary ut
this time and unwise. He has opposed
the efforts Of the Townley cabal 70
thwart the win OF the voters.
Inevitably he has incurred the enmity
Of Mr.. TOwnley and those who approve
Of the Townley style Of politics
The Herald does not commit itself
to the support Of Mr.. LANCER. "Other
announcements OF candidates for gov.
ern6r are expected. At least some Of
them seem quite certain to material,
ize The Herald has no candidate.
1t regards the one thing OF
supreme importance in this state just
now the emphatic population Of the
combination Of ant0crAcy and social
ism which A. G. Tow!ey represents.
It's earnest hope Is that all. those who
are in favor Of a return to honest and
rational government wilLbe able to
unite ul0n the one man, whoever he
may be. whose candidacy will best
serve to accomplish the restoration Of
the state to the position which it
should occupy
THE FARGO FORUM /
The Forum. is more emphatic in Its
acceptance Of Mr.. LANCER.
"Mr. LANCER appears to, lie the one
man on the political horizon who can
accomplish that task this year." says
The Forum. after declaring its one aim
in the coming state campaign Is IT."
redeem the state from the political
gang that now controls it. and to effect
a return to sanity. economy and home
rule in state government" ...
"Since Mr. LANCER broke with the
Nonpartisan league gang he has been
consistent and tremendously re-
sourceful and energetic fighter for het-
ter government. y" - Certainly his
fight on Townleyism neads little COM
ment.' s'tt
"Mr. Ianger has not sought Office.
A dozen times in the last six months
he has offered to step aside and max"
room for any other man who was wilt
ing and able to carry on the fight
against Townleyism successfully But
such a man has not appeared as yet.
and Mr.. Langer's announcement came
only after the receipt Of petitions
signed by more. than 10000 voters.
asking him to make the race. Surely
that is definite public demand Tor
his candidacy.
MIR. Langer is not the Forums can
didate for governor IN the sense that
some persons will use that phrase. II
we had the power or the disposition
to pass out political plums . /" Mr..
LANCER would not he our choice for
governor. " MIR. LANCER Is the
tyne of man who could make a very
good governor or a very bad one. with
his energy. his initiative and his re
sourcefulness, he has the possibilities
of being very useful or very dan
gerous citizen. He started on the lat
ter course. but fortunately for hini-
self. and perhaps fortunate for the
state. he discovered the error Of his
way in time
VALLEY CITY TIMES-RECORD
The Valley City Times Record ap
proves unQualitied.y Mr.. Langers call
didacy and declared his platform go
our notion is one that anybody can Ell
dorse. 1t stands for everything the
farmers Of the state want. and I!
seems to us that if he is the nomine"
of the republican party Of this state
or any other party he will draw man,
voters to his standard The Valley
City paper finds in Langer's declala
ton for home rule ''strong indication
that William LANCER has had enough
carpet-bag. non-taxaying administra
ton Of state affairs by a lot Of long
haired. brainfagged socialists 'wh'
cannot make a living any other way.
JAMESTOWN ALERT r.
The announcement by william
LANCER Of his candidacy for governo'
is straightforward. direct challenge
calling to account Of the present rule
Of North Dakota by Townley. his i'm
DOrted socialists and their tools with