The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1920-08-13
WHAT rs "TOwNLEYISM?"

The line between "Townleyism'
and the farmers program" has never
been closely enough drawn in North
Dakota, says the Fargo, IN. d.
Forum.
The Townley newspapers are very
much opposed to permitting this line
to be drawn. They much prefer TO
permit Mr.. Townley and his political
gang to shield themselves behind the
farmers, so that when the independ-
ent voters of the state begin heaving
brickbats the gangsters can shove the
farmers out in front as a shield and
shout: "See how they are attacking
the farmer"
Without discussing the merits of
the farmers program at this time, it
is pertinent to distinguish between
what is the farmers program" and
what is "Townleyism." There are
some things in the farmers program
which The Forum heartily favors.
There is nothing in Townleyism with
which the Forum will ever compro-
mise.
Let us list some items of Towney-
ism as distinguished from the farm
ers' program.
1t was Townleyism when the state
legislature was ordered by the eau
Gus bosses to take from Miss Nelson
all her official powers after the vot-
ers had clearly shown that they
wanted her to be at the head of the
school system of North Dakota.
1t was Townleyism when a state
bank examiner warned shaky bank
that it was about to be examined, and
suggested that all questionable paper
be "shot to other league banks"
1t was Townleyism when an order
was issued preventing the state audi
tor from examining the books of the
state bank, the industrial commits
sion, the workmen's compensation
board and the home builders associa-
ton.
1t was Townleyism when Governor
Frazier issued his order of two years
ago protecting the I. w. W., whether
he issued one two weeks ago or not.
It was Townleyism when Governor
Frazier interceded for a pardon for
Kate Richards O'Hare.
1t was Tonwleyism when the Con-
sumers' United Stores grab was
launched.
1t was Townleyism when the Town
ley newspapers grabbed hundreds of
thousands of dollars through the
newspaper law.
It was Townleyism when an effort
was made to establish the "smellinq
committee and the office of state
sheriff, and when the legislature re-
fused to pass the red flag law.
It was Townleyism when vicious at
tacks were made on the American
Legion and an attempt made to CON
meet this organization with mob VIC.
lence.
1t was Townleyism when Socialists
were placed in control of the schools
and the circulating libraries, and free
love books were introduced.
1t was Townleyism when Townley
himself was convicted of disloyalty
during wartime, and when the Judge
and jury were viciously attacked fo-
doing their duty.
1t was Townleyism when Townley.
Governor Frazier and Attorney Lem
ke urged a boycott on all who refused
to support them at the polls.
II was Townleyism when an at
tempt was made to repeal the Aus
tralian ballot.
These and hundred other acts of
the same stripe, are Townleyism. not
part of the farmers program. In
stead of advancing the cause of the
farmers, they are killing it much more
effectively than the open opponents
of the program. All the graft and
spite laws and the dirty political
tricks of the Townley gang merely
serve to stiffen the opposition to the
real farmers program and make it
utterly impossible to affect sane
compromise between the Independent
voters and the fair minded members
of the Nonpartisan league.
The worst "enemies of the farm
ers' in North Dakota today, are the
men who are deliberately exploiting
the farmers movement and seeking
to capitalize for own personal ends
the farmers program"
Eovorpor Gov ,,,e .:c1 =.