Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1920-07-15
Mp. LEAGUE is SLIPPING.
Big Reductions In Majo~ities oil
North Dakota Primary.

several reverSeS ana marked re-
auctions In its majorities, MS compar.
ed with previous elections, featured
the North Dakota primary election Of
last week in which the Nonpartisan
League once more was successful In
debating the nomination Of the Re-
publican candidate for governor and
other state officers.
The league also nominated can
didate for United States senator, Dr.
f. F. Ladd, president of the agri-
cultural college, being nominated in
opposition TO Senator A. j, Gronna.
who was candidate to succeed
himself.
One Candidate For Congress.
In the first North Dakota district,
which the league carried two years
ago by majority of two thousand
for It's congressional candidate, John
NJ. Baer, the league this year was de-
feated by O. b. Burtness OF Grand
Forks, Indeepndent, by n majority Of
more than twenty eight hundred. j.
In the second North Dakota dis
trict the Nonpartisan Leagues can
didate, Thomas Pendray, was de-
feated by George Young, Indepen-
dent. by a majority of more than
twenty six hundred, although Cover
nor Frazier, Nonpartisan, carried
that district by three thousand ma
jority over the Independent candi-
date for governor. The league NOM
mated only one congressional candi-
date, James Sinclair, in the third dis
trict, who defeated p. ID. Norton, ex-
member of congress, by about four
thousand majority.
Reverses For State Offices.
The league, which has heretofore
been successful in making clean
sweeps of the Republican primaries
in two successive elections, also was
defeated in its attempt to nominate
J. I. Cahill. state senator, for the
office of secretary Of state. Thomas
Hall, Independent, has defeated Ca
hill by about four thousand majority,
on the face Of the available returns.
Other state office candidates are all
league nominees.
In the state legislature the Non
partisans have met with severe re-
verses. The Independent forces
haze been successful In nominating
for more than half of the
seats in the house Of representatives,
whereas two years ago only thirty
three members of the 113 members
in the house were elected by the In
The prospects is that the
league win lose control of the house
IL the recent majorities against the
league are maintained in the fail cleo
tion.
For the senate only half the mem
bGrshfp Is elected this year, and at
least seven senatorial districts have
rejected league candidate in addition
TO those districts that formerly were
controlled by the league The fact
hat eighteen OF the twenty-five
members OF the senate who hold over
ire leagueYs makes 1t virtually i'm
possible TO wrest control of the senate
rom the N0npartisan League this
ear.
Independents Increased Vote.
Two years ago the Nonpartisan
,eague Dictated che selection OF the
republican candidate for governor
v majority Of 16,SOO, Lynn J. Fra
Ter defeating John Stcen for the
This year, William
anger, Independent candidate. was
pfeated by a majority Of only six
Two years ago the league con-
oiled 60 per cent OF the vote east
the Republican primary. while this
EAR its total vote represents only I
!, " per cent OF the total Republican
tie. The independent vote has in
eased from $1,000 two years ago,
lille the league has increased its 1
tie only about three thousand.
Independent forces of the state.
lille disappointed at their failure to
IN, are highly gratified at the pro-
ess that has been made. Three
VS. passed by the Nonpartisan
ague legislature and referred to
e people by the opposition, have 9
en- turned down, while another \
n, nroh ihitinr tbn ,Ji.nIau ne Tho