New-York tribune., 1920-12-13

mere Is muCN general IHIcIeSt Ill lro
politics of North Dakota akin to that
which there is in Russian affairs. North
Dakota has been laboratory for the
trying out Of novel political, social and
economic experiments, and the people
arc paying the price. Pursuing its
usual course and taking advantage of
the general primary which it has made
an instrument of political injustice
and sharp practice, the Nonpartisan
League sought to retain possession Of
the machinery Of the Republican party
last spring. The genuine Republicans
fought the league and carried on bit
ter struggle to defeat Governor Frazier
for denomination as the Republican
candidate for Governor and to elect
anti-leaguers as members of the Legs
lature. By a majority, largely reduced
from his previous nomination, Gov
ernor Frazier was again made the nomi-
nal candidate of the Republican party,
while Senator Gronna was defeated for
the Republican nomination for the Sen
ate by President Ladd, the president of
the state university. Mr.. Ladd, while
not an avowed member OF the Non
partisan League, expresses his SYM
pathy with what he calls the farmers
movement" and has always been re-
garded as a league exponent.
There was nominated on the Demo
cratic ticket against Governor Frazier
young Democrat named O'Connor, of
Grand Forks. He was a speaker of the
ornate type. man of clean reputation
and of much activity Most OF the anti
league Republicans gave him warm sup
port, but the trend toward Harding
was so heavy that it saved Frazier.
Harding carried the state by 600,
while Frazier defeated O'COnnor by
only 5000. The lower house Of the
Legislature contains a substantial ma
jority Of antileague men. In the
Senate the leaguers have one majority,
with one seat in contest. Thus the
league and the Townley triumvirate
cannot carry further it's legislative
plans, and the lower house will be able
to investigate the questionable trans
actions of the league.
Laws to Relieve Tyranny Adopted
One feature of the victory over the
league in the late election was the
adoption, by initiative and referendum.
of five laws, which were framed with a
view of relieving the state from the
leagues tyranny. For tnce, at least,
this method of making laws has proved
useful. In order to understand the sig
nifi :ance of these laws one must know
the evils they were intended to remedy.
Townley, of the league, who, though he
now lives in st. Paul, still directs il
with absolute sway in order to secure
ho &C
North Dakota which WAS put under
supervision of league state commits
sion. The league Legisla ture required
that all county funds should be de-
posted in this bank and loaned out as
t chose. The local banks were thus
deprived OF the use of the money which
might otherwise have been deposited
with them in their respective localities
/ except as the league managers of the
state bank determined. This sweled
the depos is in the bank SO as to give
it great financial power. Rumors tina,
personal and dishonest discrimination
reached the public, and demand was
made that the bank and it's transac-
tions be subjected to an investigation.
The Attorney General, Mr.. Langler
who ran against Governor Frazier III
the Republican primary last spring
and who had been a member OF the
Nonpartisan League, but had left i.
advised that the State Auditor has tn.
right to examine the bank, and sough- :
by proceeding in the Supreme Court
to secure the opportunity for such 81
! stigation. The Supreme Court. con
/ sisting of ajority OF Nonpartisa
Leaguers. held there was no sucf
power. This stir, d the state.
Board TO Examine Banks
One OF the laws initiated and carried
by referendum authorizes and direct:
the Attorney General the State Audi
tor and the Secretary Of State to exam
inc the bank at least every six month
and make report Of its condition an
transactions. This board now consist
Of two anti-leaguers and one membe
of the league. The election, by it
changes in state officers, however, give
in the future a m0jority OF leaguers II
the examining board, but there is a
interval between the going into effcc
of the law and tie iNstallaton Of tn
newly elected officers, so that the com
mission for a month will be anti leagu
; and will include Attorney General Ian
gler, who in his fight against Governo
Frazier last spring made the questio
Of the examination Of the bank one o
the striking issues Of his campaign
The commission will begin its cxami
nation at once.
; A second law passed by referendum
is law authorizing the county officer
to withdraw and withhold the count
} deposits from the state bank and t
2 deposit them in thcir respective local.
ties. This law is now in effect, and
seems to be conceded on all sides tina
we're the county officers to exercise th
7 power Of immediate withdrawal
y, would leave the Bank of North Dakot