Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1920-09-02
CONDEMNS LEAGUES
EFFORTSTO AROUSE
RELIGIOUS HATRED
Fearing to Publish Story in
Townley Organs Printed in
English, League Leaders
Make Use of Norwegian
Language Newspapers.

Fargo, Aug 2S.-ln desperate
attempt to stem the rising tide OF
opposition to TOWnleyism in North
Dakota the Nonpartisan League
managers have thrown the question
of religion into the campaign. They
are especially trying to corral the
Norwegian vote and as they cannot
make special appeal on having
shown them fair recognition in the
choice of candidates for state offices
they are trying their hands att reliS-
ious propag ganda.
To this end newspaper publish
ed in Norwegian language by the
Grand Forks American recently have
printed articles purportiag to show
that DR.. l.. S. Platou of Fargo, one
Of the Democratic leaders i'll this
state, has stated that he cannot
support ]. F. Il. O'Connor, the anti
Townley candidate for governor, be-
cause he holds different religious
views.
DR.. Platou was one of the candi-
dates for the Democratic endorse
ment for governor at the Fargo con-
vention May 10, but when majority
Of the delegates declared in favor
Of the Grand Forks man he moved to
make the nomination of O'Connor
unanimous. At the meeting of the
committee of twenty one in Grand
Forks in June he again stated that
he was in favor of all the anti
TowNiey candidates as well as the
whole Democratic ticket for national
officers.
In reply to the stories printed in
the League newspapers DR.. Platou
today issued the following signed
statement:
"My attention has been called to
an article in the Nord Dakota Tiden-
| de, a Norwegian language weekly
published by the Grand Forks Amer
ican, purporting to show that I am
opposing Hon. ]. F. 7. O'Connor for
the governorship for religious rea-
sons. Incidentally my progressive
tendencies and attitude on issues in
the past are being used to convey the
impression that l, in measure, am
favoring Townleyism.
This imputation is a malicious
Misrepresentation. While good
many, of us differ on religious ques-
tions, and while demo ominational affil-
iation, everything else being equal,
may have some bearing upon indiv-
idual preference as to candidates for
public offices, it has been generally
conceded that it is unfair politics
and poor Americanism to throw
sion Of public measures and public
men. I deplore very much that this
has been done now, as I believe, for
the first time in our state, and
regret still more that vulturine poll
ical writer's should have tried to
make me the carrion of their de-
sires.
'My position as to candidates was
plainly stated at the meeting Of the
committee of twenty one at Grand
Forks last month. l said then, and
repeat it now, that ! stand for ev-
cry anti-Townley candidate on the
fusion state ticket and for every
Democratic candidate from top to
bottom.
Il have never supported TOwnley.
ism in it's present form; no sane Pro-
gressive can do that l have oppos-
ed the nefarious and vicious political
propaganda of the league leaders on
the stump as well as in the narrower
circle of private discussion, and |
shall continue to do so.
II believe in progressive reforms
along constitutional lines, but l do
not believe in constitutional upheav-
ais such as contemplated in House
Bill A.. / believe in better and more
equitable rural credits legislation,
but do not believe in POLITICAL
banking laws such as the enabling
act for the Bank Of North Dakota.
II believe in fairtrial for the
real farmers program, such as ter
minal elevators and -four mills, but
l do not believe In the spoils system
under which the League leaders are.
planning to 60 ahead and thereby
inevitably make misera BILE farce of
the whole agrarian program.
Il believe that North Dakota
needs thorough revision Of her
tax legislation, but this cannot be
done rightly in the slip shod, hap
hazard manner in which the League
legislative bureau has gone about
1t under the guidance of Professor
Roylance. believe above every
thing else that the future welfare
OF our state, demands that all good
citizens lay aside all petty or minor
differences and unite on the one and
only paramount issue, viz. to crush
Townleyism at the election next No!
vember."
s. (signed) L. S. PLATOU.i
g.fS i (. >