The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-10-29
TOWNLEY WAS GR|LLED
BLUFF AT PARK RIVER, N.
d., DID NOT WORK
0. B. Burtness, Candidate For
Congress, Made Him CraW-
- fish Plenty

fish Plenty
A. c. Townley was utterly routed in
the presence of a crowd of his fol-
lowers at Park River. N. p. by o. B..
Burtness. republican candidate for
congressman from the First North
Dakota district. He brought it on
himself when he rashly offered to
make good his indiscriminate abuse
of the business men of Park River
and other cities against all corners.
He didn't know, when he made the
offer, that Mr.. Burtness was in Pisek,
only five miles distant. The Grand
Forks man jumped at the, chance to
meet the league boss, and when the
dust cleared away, the latter was a
bout the sickest socialist to be found
in North Dakota.
How It All Happened
1t happened thus: Mr.. Townley
was holding one of his "unadvertised"
meetings at Park River and the great
majority Of those present were his
staunch supporters; there were, how
in the rear Of tn hall, and against
them the socialist boss launched the
full force Of his abuse. Finally, how
ever, he went too far. and farmer in
the hall who has hitherto been a
supporter of the Nonpartisan league,
arose and said:
"Mr. Townley, you are going too
far in your attack on these bust
- ness men,"
. The socialist boss came back with
another TRADE, and an offer to uphold
his statements against anyone who
cared to dispute him. Thereupon
someone in the body of the hall de-
handed:
80. B. Burtness is at Pisek tonight
will you argue with him?" Town
ley was evidently taken aback, and
tried to back out, but this even his
own followers would not permit, and
finally agreed to wait for Mr. Burt
ness. The latter was reached by tel
ephone, the situation explained to
him, and he Immediately left for Park
River by automobile, arriving half an
hour after Townley had uttered his
challenge.
Townley Began To crawfish
In the meantime. the latter had no
flying many of his previous statements
and showing a decided lack of pep"
When Mr.. Burtness arrived the
terms of the discussion were quickly
arranged, each man being given 10
minutes to question the other, and 20
minutes for answer.
Before proceeding rurther, however,
Mr.. Burtness demanded that an Amer
lean flag be brought into the hall. II
have just finished speaking to an aud
fence OF which 30 per cent was for
eign born, but which was made up of
good American citizens, who display
ed the Stars and Stripes; / have al
ways had a flag in the hall when I
speak" he said. 81 want to see a flag
here before go further"
One, Thorlif Moe, henchman Of
was no American flag in the hall, but
the big chief was apparently afraid
he would spill the beans" and quick
ly shut him off. A flag was drought
and the debate began.
Mr.. Townley asked Mr.. Burtness in
effect, Why the business men OF Park
River and other cities are> opposed to
the farmers program?
Not Against The Farmers
Mr.. Burtness' answer was prompt:
"The business men," he said fare not
opposed to the farmers program,
they are opposed, however. to despot-
ic rule OF self appointed boss, many
of whom are not even citizens of
North Dalpota. In support of this
claim, he cited the records of the state
legislature, showing that the indepen-
dent members had Loyalty supported
all of the real farmers program.
+. IL was then Mr.. Burtness' turn
to question, and II was then that
ToWnIey's downfall came. Here
are some of the questions Mr..
Burtness shot at the socialist
(which has greater interest
in this state, MIR. Townley, you
or L . -. -.
for the fact that every law passed
by your majority at the special
session of the legislature which
was referred to the people was
voted down by them?
"Why did not the people of the
state follow your urgent advice
law7
"Why were such books as Up.
ton sinclair's sThe Profits Of Re-
IIoion' placed in the state library,
to be sent to people who wished
books on social problems?
"Why did you place your ad-
vertisement for league organizers
In the arch socialist periodical
The Appeal to Reason?
"Why did not you and Mr..
Lemke accept tho opportunity OF.
. J. w. Brinton lied In the charges
he made against you, and put him
in jail, II they were false?"
Not one of these questions was ans
wered by Mr. Townley in his attempt
at rebuttal; in fact ne put UP no ar
gument at ALL He simply made a
feeble effort to use his usual weapon
of sarcasm and abuse, but so weak
10 Rop nix nxuT n re-
who crowded the hall were evidently
painfully aware of its shortcomings,
and their applause was perfunctory,
and lacked real conviction.
At one o'clock this morning when
the debate" was over 1t must have