The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-05-12
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EDITORIAL
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EUllUNlAL
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We know just what will be the head
line in the Courier-News tomorrow
morning. 1t will say that Townley
put it all over LANCER at Salina and
that LANCER did not have leg to
stand on and that Mr.. Townley con-
WINGED the people Of Salina that this
nonpartisan soup we have been feed
ing on for the past few years is bene-
fetal to the people of this state. That
is what it will say tomorrow-but it
won't be the truth.
A series of debates has finally been
arranged between William LANCER,
former general of this state
and A. C. Townley, president OF tne
nonpartisan league. The debates are
to be held in Kansas and Nebraska
and the first one will be. pulled of at
Salina, Kansas, tonight in big tent
supposed to hold $500 people and we
are safe in saying that standing room
only signs will be up long before the
time for the depate is to commence
The question to be debated tonight. is
"Resolved, that the llonpartisan
league program as carried out by the
leaders has not been for the best in
terest of North Dakota" Mr.. LANCER
takes the affirmative side of this ques-
ton and we are thinking that the peo-
ME of Salina will have most lively
time of it. Mr.. LANCER has the goods
tn deliver and Mr.. Townley, himself,
is no novice at the game of putting up
a GOOD bluff so we think it will be
some debate.
Civil service restrictions govern
ing the choice of postmasters were
modified by President Harding. yes
terday to give the administration
freer hand in exercising it's own Judg..
ment in regard to the qualifications OF
applicants. In an executive order at
fecting approximately thirteen thous..
and postofices of the first, second and
third classes, the president authorized
the selection of anyone OF tna nrsS
three on the eligible list as determined
bv open competitive examlnations'
Under an order of President Wilson,
the executive could exercise mo such
choice but was required to appoint the
applicant standing at the head OF the
list. President Harding issued
statement saying that the new ar
ranpement had been decided upon be-
cause it would permit such elements as
business training and experience TO
fq,1re in the selection of postmasters
and would not state the choice mere
" On "a clustered scholastic examl-
nation which might result in hlgna
Grade in theory but not guaranty OF
Efficiency in fact" Yesterdays action
was the first important step taken by
tho new administration in regard 10
the general problem Of patronage, ana
10 understood to have been decided on
after extending conferences between
Tho president, Postmaster General
Havs and other high administrator
officials.
The Times-Record has received a
communication from farmer IN re-
gard to erecting seats IN the shaoe
for those who come in to atteno Cne
play day exercises so they mlgnt nave
a place to rest after the eXertlons OF
uptown shopping, etc. The sugges-
t;on is a mighty good one and we are
indeed sorry that the farmer senonlg
us in the suggestion should feel that
his name. should not be attached 10
the communication. The thought put
forth is certainly good and we see no
valid reason why the writer should re-
fnse to sign his name to anything
that is really worth while and his sug-
oest;ons along these lines is good. he
Suggests that the Commercial Cluo
Of Valley City place seats around IN
Tho normal school campus so thaC
women and children especially, could
rest. It is a most worthy thought ana
suggestion and we turn it over IN TINS
editorial to those whose business II
would be to look after this matter
the Commercial Club. The writer says
that the women and children would
annreciate such an effort to give them
rest and comfort. The cnlldren VI
Barnes county are looking forwara 70
this day with eagerness and u VIII ot
a day Of much strenuous exertlon 1aat
resting places will be boon 10 tne
weary. Let's follow out the sugges-
ton and see that many seats are pro
vided. A good suggestion from US
would be to get the seats 1roHh .ne
Chautauqua Park for this occasion
and scatter them over the CITY IN
shady places this of course woulo De
no to the park board who we feel sure
viii cooperate with the Commercial
Club along these lines.
"DEMOCRAT1ZING" THE LEAGUE
The next step in the Nonpartlsan
League of North Dakota is to be ITS
Demonstration" according to an
Official announcement in the Fargo
Courier News, the League daily. ms
and other League publications Tor
wears have been denying with venem-
ence. volubility and all sorts OF en-
nhasis that the League was under au.
tocratic control. If they were 1lgnt
all this time, the query arises, why IS
It necessary to "democratize' Nov!
The announcement says that on |
Nav % the members Of the League
viii meet at their respective voting
precincts and form precinct Locals,
# IS explained that every "!ocaY WIZ
be "self-governing unit" It was