Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-01-05
1921 WAS BIG YEAR
North Dakota Made Political History
1922 To See Final Clean Up
Of Socialist Element.

tne dig political year OF the states
latter day history, marked, as it was,
by the complete defeat of the Non
partisan league after its record Of
repeated successes over six year
period.
AS the calendar of 1922 comes in.o
use, there are two dates Of outstand-
ing Importance, politically. First, is
Wednesday, June 81, the date Of the
primary elections; second, is Tuesday,
Nov. z, the date of the general cleo
tion. TAf 4Ss
Political tests Of the coming year
will definitely determine whether or
not the Nonpartisan league will con-
tinue as power in the affairs Of the
state, for it is conceded on all hands
that should the league fail in its eff
forts to come back during the coming
IL month period, there is little or
no likelihood that it will be able to do
anything thereafter.
House Control Prime Factor
A year ago, or on Jan. l, 1921, the
affairs of the state were almost COM
pletely controlled by the Nonpartisan
league. True, the independent forces
had succeeded in wrestling control Of
the house of representatives from the
Ncnpartisans, and it was by virtue of
that defeat Of the league in the 1920
elections that affairs SO developed as
to make possible the success Of the
1921 recall election, the ousting of
the league officials, and the change
in control Of nearly all important de-
partments of state.
| Today, the league retains control
of but one branch of government
lthe state and there is little
or no likelihood that such control will
survive another 12 month period. I'm
/, less things not now foreseen develop
in the very near future, 1922 will see
the complete elimination Of the Non
partisan league as a factor in the
direction of Legislative matters in
!, the state. n N 4.
When opened, the league had
control Of the state senate by vet,
lcf one. 1t had control Of the import
ant state Offices Of governor, attorney
general and commissioner Of agricu!-
ture and labor, with resulting con-.
troll of the Bank of North Dakota,
the Mill and Elevator association, the
North Dakota Homebuilders associ-
alton, and various other state depart
ments and enterprises.
The independents had control Of
the house of Representatives by a
margin Of from two to four votes,
and retained that control throughout
the regular session of the Legislature
last winter.
It was the investigation lcf the
state industries by the house that
developed conditions that brought
about the recall election. Briefly
stated, the conditions revealed in
cluded:
The Bank Of North Dakota was in
precarious state, with hundreds of
thousands of dollars deposited in a
group Of banks favored by the league
administration.
The Drake mill had lost heavily,
whereas the state officials had repeat
edly insisted that the enterprise was
making big profits.
The Homebuilders' association af-
fairs were SO muddled that auditors
could not determine its condition.
Nonpartisan league Office holders
and boosters had been favored with
loans and positions by the Bank Of
North Dakota. 55
] State departments and public funds
had been Used for the political bone
!, fit Of the Nonpartisan league.
I. The Bank Of North Dakota had
been forced to refuse payment to it's
/, depositors, and was, to all intents
and purposes, virtually out Of busi.
ness.
These facts were obtained only af-
ter every effort had BEEN made BY
! the administration TO conceal the nc
tual condition.
When the conditions were placed
before the people, the demand for :
recall election became general, and