Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-02
ORDER OF PROCEDURE.

While the subject is still fresh 1t may be we'll to r.
view the steps which lead up t6 the present preliminary
arrangements for a recall OF three state officials.
1t is understood. Of course, that all steps taken with
reference to a recall are the voluntary acts Of tndividuals.
and that any individual or group Of pereons may avail
themselves of the provisions of the law relating to the re-
call. The essential feature Of that law is that upon the
signature of petitions to that effect by thirty per cent Of
the number Of voters who voted for governor at the last
preceding election. and the filing Of such petition. the
election must be held to determine whether or not the
official or officials petitioned against shall retain their
offices. Because Of the largo number Of signatures re-
quired. 1t would be out Of the question for any single in
divtdual or any small group to undertake such a task.
The work OF securing signatures alone will require the
services OF q large number Of volunteers. No movement
for recall can be successful, therefore. unless in its initta-
ton it has the support OF = very considerable number Of
the voters az the state.
The first formal Steps taken looking toward the re-
call ware taken by the Committee Of Twenty-one, which
Republican orkanisation; seven Democrats, named by the
state Democratic organization, and seven persons named
by the central committee Of the Independent voters' AS
ISOLATION. This committee came into existence early In
the last campaign and has been continued as 1 conven-
lent agency for handling the work of the Independent
voters regardless of party. The committee met to con-
slider the Instability of holding a recall election. The
subject was discussed from every possible angle and the
committee reached tho conclusion that such an election
would be desirable. 1t issued no call for an election, and
took no further steps on its own account, but transferred
the whole subject to = representative state convention to
be held At . later date at Devils Lake.
In order to make this convention truly representa-
tice, the committee suggested that precinct caucuses be
held for the election of delegates to district conventions
and that these conventions elect delegates to the Devils
Lake state convention. A basis Of representation was
provided. this representation being based on the number
Of independent voters registered at the last election. The
fullest publicity was given to the caucuses which were to
be held, and announcement was made that ali persons
; would be eligible as, participants in such caucuses who.
II a recall were held. would vote against the retention of
the present state officials whose conduct was under crit
ictsn.
The caucuses and district conventions were held as
recommended. Delegates to the state convention were
elected. and the state convention was held. It was at
tended by representatives Of every section of the state
and by members Of both political PARTIES. In all of these
alliances; the convention was. in fact, a. convention Of
representatives Of the people.
A convention 10 held. must be considered to have
spoken with authority in stating the desires OF the indie
pendent voters Of the state. In the convention proceed
ines. the fullest possible opportunity was given for the
expression Of individual opinions. At no time was there
anything in the nature of gag rule attempted. On the
contrary, there was evidence Of an earnest desire to oh.
tain an accurate statement of the wishes Of the people in
every locality. So far as such a thing is possible, that
expression has been secured. and the decision tor a recall
election to bring before the bar of public opinion the
three members of the state industrial commission must
be accepted as the sober and settled decision Of the great
body of people who are opposed to the continuation OF
the roxniey regime In North Dakota .r@-