The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1922-02-23

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United States Senatorship, to aban-
don the naming of state ticket. As
consideration for the first, they
would receive sufficient money to
pay all debts and accommodation
notes and, undoubtedly good sum Of
money for the leaders. AS a.consid-
GRAFTON for the second, they could be
assured that the threatened prosecu-
tons of those charged with mal-feas-
ance and mis-feasance in office and in
banking deals, would escape or suf-
fer punishment that amounted to a
mere reprimand.
To attain this, to satisfy those who
are creditors for the League, a strug-
gle is worth whichever if it splits
the League in two factions.
This accounts for the activities Of
the League meetings called at Valley
City, at Bismarck, and at other points
in the state. What is difficult to
understand is the fact that Lynn j.
Frazier has lent himself to this pro-
gram, which is an abnegation of all
that he has stood for. Indeed, had
matters taken another course, he
might have been the nominee without
opposition, of the League convention
for the U. S. Senatorship. No other
name was mentioned. 1t may be
that he will be named yet by the men
whose lead he is following now-but
if he is so named, it will be merely
as a pace-maker and to draw votes
away from McCumber's opponent Wild
will undoubtedly be A. J. Gronna. At
forwards, if he so desires, he can Sc
cure an appointment in lieu Of the sen
atorship. It is not a noble part to
be assigned any man, and it is to be
hoped that the countenance which Mr.
Frazier now is giving the scheme will,
when he fully understands it, be with
drawn. Not so much can be said for
John N. Hagan, who is also laboring
for the "balance of powe-' plan. lie
has always been ambitious ana the
defeat he received at tie recall cleo
ton hurt, because he dreamed that he
had sufficient friends among the op-
position to save him. His reneging on
his state-built house and his loan to
himself of state money on his own
farm indicate that his sense Of humor
might not easily be offended by such
sale as is contemplated.
What of the State Executive Com
mittee, or the majority elected by the
farmers? The game to discredit Lied
erbach, Levang and Kaldor has al
ready begun. The Fargo Forum now
assails that committee and finds nc
fault with Mr.. Townley and gives
ccuntenance to the two members of
the committee-Mr. Walker and Mr..
Maddock-in their opposition to the
acts of the Committee. 1t looks like
part of the general plan, as it so far
has revealed itself, for the Forum,
in the last analysis, will be found for
McCumber and anything that helps
him.
The Committee was at first sup
posed to be elected as a. sop to the
demand for a democratic form OF gov
eminent and the men chosen were ex-
pected to remain mere dummies be-
hind which the old leaders, or Mr..
Lemke, might operate. After some
friction, the majority of the members
threw off this control and proceeded
to act for themselves. A semblance
of control was retained for time by
pretending that the president of the
state organization of women's club
had a right to vote on the Committee
When it was discovered that her right
was not given her by the acts Of the
Bismarck convention, the majority of
the Committee was able to deny her
the right to vote and assume their
full powers.
From that time until Mr.. Lemke's
hegira into Mexico, the Committee
has been made the object Of unremit-
ting assault, One purpose behind the
LANCER retraction that it was forced
to make, was to discredit it with all
League members. Other minor as
saults and tricks have been incessant.
What will be the result? It looks
now as though there might be two
conventions if the old leaders can not
feel safe in the control of the regular
ly called Fargo convention. It means
that a League ticket will be nomin-
ated at Fargo, if the farmers are
thoroughly aroused to the intent of
the balance of power plan and the
manner in which they are to be sold
not in blocks of five as in the early