Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-06-21
TOWNLEY IS
CHALLENGED
BY LANCER
Candidate For Governor
Again Hurls Defy at
Big Boss.
SPEAKS TO BIG
CROWD AT EDMORE
4
Independent Candidate Civ
en- Great Reception By
People.
Especial to The Herald

\NSHSSAsSA
Edmore. Juno 21.-Speaking IA a
1.5OO people in this village yesterday,
William LANCER, Independent Repub-
licaq candidate for governor. hurled
at A. c. Townley another challenge
to public debate, to discuss the is
sues of the campaign.
"A. c. Townley returns tomorrow
from Minnesota to take part in the
political campaign in this state. and
will no doubt charge three of the
present state officials with being
traitors to the people," said Mr.. Ian
ger.
Il have on different occasions chal-
lenged the Big Boss to meet me in
public debate. l have sought every
opportunity to meet him face to face
before an audience Of North Dakota
farmers but he dare not face the
farmers and defend his record. am
going to give him still another chance.
I hereby declare that my previous
offer of debate is open today as when
originally given. I hereby authorize
any man, wearing the Townley collar,
to place my challenge before Mr..
TOwnley. and to insist that he meet
me. I undertake to treat Mr.. Town
ley as were he gentleman. leave
it tt, him t-s trcal jre4 in a. manner
satiss hetorS 8, s.iTnself. ram pre-
pared to prove tIlnt it is A. G.. Town
ley that betrayed the, farmers of
North Dakota. and that Thomas Hall,
Carl Kosftzky and myself in resisting
the Big Boss have done what we
honestly believed to be our sworn
dAty."
~ Great Demonstration.
The LANCER meeting in this village
was unique political demonstration,
giving unlnistakable evidence Of the
ment in this county. Nearly a hun
dred automobiles from Devils Lake
and intermediate points braved the
rain and plowed through the mud,
bringing several hundreds Of outsid-
ers to Edmore in honor OF "Bilr' Ian
ger. Local showers prevailed over a
large district, in places the roads
were unusually heavy and considera-
BILE difficulty was experienced by
LANCER enthusiasts, many of whom
covered q distance of up to forty
miles in order to have the opportunity
Of hearing the workings of Townley-
| ism explained by the leader in the
fight. The farmers in the vicinity OF
| Edmore turned out in large numbers
| in spite Of the threatening rain. The
speaker received the individual at
| tention Of the large audience for more
| than two hours, as he in a mastery
manner discussed the issues Of the
campaign, always presenting docu-
| mentary proof of his contentious.
Has Perpetual Control.
Mr.. LANCER scored the most telling
hits when he demonstrated to the
! audience how Townley had perfected
for himself and the other members
| n hn twin 80
I perpetuation in office. thereby remov-
| ing the management Of the league
from the control of the farmers
Linking this to the Fargo bank scan
dal. in which the state depository for
public funds. the Bank Of North Da.
kota, was heavily involved. Mr. Lam
ger brought forcefully home to his
hearers the dangers inherent in pri-
vate ownership of public officials, as
practiced under the Townley system OF
| government. Townley's idea of de-
mocracy is a self-perpetuating trium.
virate in charge of the league to ex-
ercise full authority over state off.
cials, elected by the people, but re.
sponsible only to Townley, Lemke
and Wood.
The redistribution of public funds
deposited with the Bank Of North Da.
kota, and their use for rediscountine
\ Hotes' secured Dy POSt-02te0 CneCks
and other collateral of doubtful value
is evidently causing the league trium.
virate considerable trouble. There is
evidence of widespread dissatisfaction
with this system. When dealing with
this subject, Mr.. LANCER was inter.
rupted by George Graham, who from
his own experience could testify that
officials Of political subdivisions are
threatened with criminal prosecution
if they do not promptly comply with
calls for money issued by the Bank
of North Dakota. The letters ex.
changed between Scandinavian-Amer.
lean Bank of Fargo. Mr.. Townley and
the state bank officials were read by
Mr.. LANCER and gave the audience q
thorough understanding Of the why.
and wherefores of Townley's banking
system. Tho audience gave evidence
that 1t did not relish this particular
brand of cxarism.
! Edmore and vicinity has long beer
considered league stronghold.
The LANCER rally yesterday turned
many votes and Ramsey county will
increase its usual antiTownley ma,
jority.