Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-12
RIGHT FROM THE SHOULDER.

the shoulder and puts an end to all gossip concern
ing the possibility of his luke-warmness toward the
recall election and the further possibility that he
might appear as a third candidate in the campaign,
mt. Hall says that at the beginning he was doubt
tul as to the wisdom of the recall, but. as time has
passed, and as more knowledge has been gained Of
the methods of the administration, he is quite cer-
tain that no other course is possible. He declares
himself emphatically in favor of the election of Mr..
Nestos and urges every citizen to put His full effort
into making the recall campaign a success. A clear
er and more definite statement could not have been
asked.
The state is full of rurnors emanating from
League sources tending to throw the whole recall
situation into doubt. 1t has been reported that the
Independents have given up the recall and that no
recall election will be held. It is reported every few
days that this or that man is likely to appear as a
third candidate and that shch candidacy will neces-
sarlly prevent the election Of Mr.. Nestos. Ruinors
OF this sort are being manufactured every day, and
a good many people believe them.
The recall election will be held as proposed.
There has never been the slightest doubt or question
on that point. The Devils Lake convention, com
posed OF freely chosen representatives from all sec
tons OF the state, went over the whole situation in
detail. There were differences of opinion but the
concensus was that only through the recall could
the interests of the state be properly preserved. It
was determined, therefore, to circulate petitions
tor the recall, and this has been done. More than
10000 voters have signed those petitions. The work
of obtaining signatures still continues and it is ex-
|pected that $4,000 or more signatures will be obtain
ed within a very short time. When the proper time
comes, those petitions will be filed. The secretary Of
state has been notified that the petitions will be
presented to him in order that he may prepare to
receive them and to perform the necessary clerical
work connected with their disposition. The election
under the law will be called in this case by the sec
rotary OF state. The law provides that the officer
with whom recall petitions are filed shall call the
election not less than forty and not more than forty
live OaVS afferhfhe5 nef1fIn11S ara srArASuod N~T1se -
n1ga statewide election, the petitions will; be tAfiled
with the secretary of state, and it will be the busi-
ness OF the secretary Of state to call the election. The
sentiment at the Devils Lake convention was that
early IN November would be the most desirable
time tor the election. There has been no,change in
that situation, and that approximate date is still the
one which is preferred. In order to have the election
take place at that time the petitions must be filed
late in September, and. when that time comes they
Will be filed and the election will be held.
Third candidates, so called, are discussed fire.
quently. 1t is unlikely that any third candidate will
appear. The recall election is for the purpose of en-
abllng voters to say whether or not the three state
officials who control the industrial affairs Of the
state shall be retired from office, and if so, what
persons shall be elected in place Of them. Three
candidates have been named for these positions, MI.
Nestos for governor, Mr.. Johnson for attorney gen
eral, and Mr.. Kitchin for secretary of agriculture
and labor. These men will be the candidates of the
$4,000 or more persons petitioning for the recall. The
governor and his two associates will represent the
Townley-Lemke combination. The issue between
the two is clear and distinct. There is no such thin.
as compromise on this matter. Any person appear:
ing as an alleged compromise candidate is simply
appearing for the purpose of playing into the hands
OF the administration by dividing the Independent
strength. No matter who the man may be; no mat
ter from where he may.hail; his candidacy under
existing circumstances will be recognized as an adj
ministration candidacy. There ought to be no doubt
on this point, and there is 50 little room for doubt
that we question seriously whether any man will
have the hardihoodsto come forward as a candidate
protesting to represent anything but the Townley-
Lenlke machine.