Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-03-14
N. DAKOTA FIGHT.
FOCUSED UPON.
'NON-PARTISANS'
S Brands Of Genuine
Republicans In Pri-
mary Lineup
N. E. A. Staff Special.

81. PAUL, MIMI, Mafch lo--NoC-
ers of North Dakota will give their
idea at the state presidential prefer
ence primary March 16 of What Is
a Republican,"
The Republican National Conven-
ton of Chicago, in June, may be
called upon again to decide what a
Republican is in North Dakota.
AS the day draws near for the first
primary there are five kinds of North
Dakota Republicans. Members of
each kind claim they are the only
genuine brand, and that all other
kinds have Beware of" trade mark.
At the bottom of the states politi-
cal mixup today is the Non-Partisan
League and those who want to GUST
the league from power.
When the league won the 1916
state election it proceeded to
take over the Republican organiza-
ton of the state. William Lemke,
vice president of the league, was
named Republican state chairman.
Nearly all members of the reorganiz-
ed Republican state committee and
most of the county and precinct com
mitteemen were leaguers.
Non-Partisan Strengthen Grip.
At the 1918 election the league got
stronger hold on the state, giving
it frmer grip on the Republican
organization.
This year the battle becomes one in
which the league tries to hang on to
its Republican grip, while league OPP
ponents are out to break the hold.
Three state conventions have been
held.
On Jan. 2S there was mass con-
vention in Bismarck. This was call
ed by what is known in North Dakota
as the Mackenzie crowd, led by Dave
Mackenzie, former G. o. P. boss,
to boom General Leonard Wood.
But since then, reports say, the
Mackenzie feeling has turned to
Governor Lowden.
Next a convention was held in Bis
marck on Feb. II. This was called
by Sc en- members of the state central
committee, who are against the Nom
Partisans. M. c. Young, an attorney
for the Northern Pacific Railroad,
was ruling spirit in this assem-
blage.
Lemke Calls 1t Burglary"
The third convention met Feb. II,
at Bismark. 1t was called by William
Lemke, who announced the Macken-
zie- Young representatives OF special
privilege had attempted to burglarlze
the Republican party" The previous
conventions had declared vacant 49
places on the state central commit
tee held by Non-Partisans, 250 on
county committees, and 1900 on pre-
cinct committees.
This was done on the ground the
Non-Partisans are not good Republl-
cans.
Two other kinds of Republicans
should be mentioned.
One is a wing of the Independent
/ Voters Association, known as the l.
w. A. Their leader is Jerry Bacon,
publisher of the Grand Forks Herald.
The other group composes the Will
| liam LANCER Non-Partisans. LANCER
/ is attorney general. He was twice
elected on the league ticket, but ear
/ ly in 1919 began a fight on A. Z.
| Townley, president of the National
/ Non-Partisan League.
This fight has developed LANCER
leaguers and Townley leaguers.
Johnson's Name Filed.
, Following the Feb. IL convention
/ all Republican candidates were asked
/ not to file their names for the North
Dakota primary.
Meanwhile the Mackenzie Repub-
licans, Young Republicans and Bacon
| Republicans buried their differences
and decided to battle at the primary
! for the election of an uninstructed
delegation.
The LANCER leaguers met at Hills
boro. Feb. 20. They indorsed Sena-
ator Hiram Johnson for president.
| His name was filed. 1t is the only
Republican name before North Da-
kotans for the presidential primary,
Then the Lemke convention, Feb.
27. Joined in supporting johnson. AS
a result the two league factions are
united in backing him. Johnson re-
Gently completed a speaking tour OF
the state.
So at the primary the Mackenzie
Young Bacon Republicans will try to
elect an uninstructed delegation.
The LANCER and Townley Non-Par-
tisan League Republicans will work
for a delegation instructed to vote
for Johnson.
In the event the Non-Partisans win
it is considered probable a contest
will be instituted at the national con-
vention and this body be asked to
decide whether Non-Partisan
Lacquer can be good Republican.
A Democratic Line-Up.
There are also two kinds of Dem
ocrats in North Dakota and two sets
of candidates for delegates. Melvin
Hildreth, former publicist for the
Mon Partisan League, is leading a