Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-27
RECALL MORE THAN JUSTIFIED.

SssaH#l ne recall IL Il PUBIC OIl1Cldl regularly ClCCICu
ss a step SO serious in its nature that it ought not to
/ se undertaken except under the pressure of necessi-
sy.The election of an official is brought about by the
Exercise of one of the most important functions of
4 citizenship, and is supposed to be the result of ma
& lure deliberation and careful selection. A choice so
(which the individual SO elected has expired unless
fsshe greatest reasons exist for making a change be-
f55ore the end of that period. The conviction of the
Herald and Of the Independent organization in
North Dakota is that the reasons for the recall of
certain Of our state officials are sufficiently weighty
no justify that step at this time.
s The Nonpartisan League movement was inaug-
grated and came into prominence some six years ago
Through the capitalization by A. c.. Townley of dis
appointment and resentment felt by a large number
spf farmers over the failure of the state legislature to
snake provision for a state-owned terminal elevator
Cor which a very general and very ~insistent demand
siad been developed. Mr.. Townley, a practical work
ing Socialist, and at that time a registered member
s,f the Socialist party, with the opportunism which
.s characteristic Of his activities, seized upon this
Condition in the public mind and made it the basis
FOR the agitation which he then began and which he
I.as since continued for the development of a COM
lttlete system of state Socialism under which the af-
Ears Of North Dakota were to be conducted.
The attitude of Mr.. Townley and those chiefly
associated with him toward established law and or
serly procedure is clearly indicated in the effort
syhich they made during the legislative session of
k917 to override the state constitution by means. of
NY SOAlo Dlll, A1loWllF dS Jill ff> u IICdIIS
III which it was proposed to change entirely the con-
SNtitution of the state in direct violation Of its own
provisions, and to establish by a short cut a system
HIT state Socialism toward which the new organiza-
was working. The fact that this attempt failed
lssvas due to inability of the Socialist group to control
she state senate. That body refused to accede to the
issemand made upon it, and house bill A was defeated
a that chamber. The record however is clear as to
sshe attitude Of Mr.. Towney and his associates
coward il, for the body controlled by them passed
4N1H hill hv an Oyer1Uhe1No MI n NJ i0rif1y III Tn %ha e,,kE
RAequent election control of the state senate was also
HYcquired, and the two branches of the legislature
Sith the executive department were entirely in con-
,Harol OF the League management. Then ensued the
1fsassage OF the numerous laws intended to carry into
Effect what has been described as the League pro-
F6rafn, a program S~ocialistic in it's character, and con-
hining IN addition to the elevator proposition which
s4ad already been before the public, provision for the
S~arcation ofSa state bank, state building association,
Ind other state industries, controiof the whole to be
saa1ergcd nan industrial commission, whose opera
IONS were directly within the jurisdiction Of the
s*ovsrlor. The governor himself being amenable to
5544ontrolby@those who had placed him in his position.
rs whole plan became a one-nan5 institution, nom.
llhhaliy democratic practically autocratic in its or
E$anizationlaud operation. Warnings were uttered
HIT that time of the danger Of such a course. The
Earnings were unheeded and the organization pro-
aAAeeded on its:way.
The Bank Of North Dakota, al institution for
5akf1ch there had AT no time been popular demand
RAkceiyed the greatest attention at the hands Of the,
d administrative forces, because through it it was ex-
NE36eted that immense sums Of money would Be rcnd-
lied aysilabie not only for the industrial enterprises
sssnpsixn ii which Mr. Towlley AID III compan-
aIb98E Weyeseagzged laws were So worded that the
EHt1kiic fund, not only of The state itself, but Of every
1EkdiVisicar0 f the state were required to- be deposit
HI III fne8 Bank of North Dakota, and under the laws
ssMak fhSy sWsKe worded and under the administrative
61Sp3 emitting IL WAS possible for these funds to
sHS d}Verf<df p any piirpOScsdesircd and toTbe invest