The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-10-12
INSURGENTS"
FAIL TO PUT
LEMKE AWAY
Convention Resolution Held
to Represent a Victory for
The Regulars"
NO ISSUES FIXED
Lines for Next Campaign To
Be Drawn Later by Nom
partisan League

Although the Nonpartisan League
state convention ended here yester-
day afternoon with unanimous pro-
fession of amity and unity, the ques-
tion was asked today in political cir
cles, whether the agreement between
the warning factions would last
through the next campaign. A con-
vention Of the league held in Bis
marck just after the 1923 legislative
session ended in the same manner.
but factional warfare broke out
shortly thereafter.
While the "insurgents" in the
league were claiming victory, actual
ly it appeared that the REGULARS"
had completely controlled the con-
vention and had relented only so far
as they might without sacrificing
their views and at the same time
placating. the "insurgents."
William Lemke, one Of those
against whom the "insurgent" fight
was directed, would only say after
the convention that II am perfectly
satisfied with the result"
A regular leader said: "The Mike
thun crowd got only what we wanted
to give them, and it wasn't much at
that"
Lemke on Committee.
Mr.. Lemkea took no part in the
convention, but after the convention
he took part in a meeting at which
the question of accomm odation notes
was discussed. He was put on
committee to work with the state
executive committee to devise ways
and means of raising funds to pay
off these accommodation notes.
He is not out of the league unless
he wants to be, and it appeared from
his action in accepting this appoint
ment that he does not want to be.
The "insurgents" in the convention
today were claiming they had Sc
cured victory in forcing incor-
poration of resolution severing all
with the national executive
formerly composed of A.
C. Townley, William Lefiike and F. B.
Wood, while others held the "vic-
tory" was empty since the league
committee had long ago ceased to
function.
The league is confronted by what
its members regard as q serious
dilemma in approaching the next
campaign, which must be settled in
the convention next February. Will
liam Lemke, by receiving 10000
votes for governor as Nonparti-
san but in the individual column of
the ballot in last November's cleo
tion. created the Nonpartisan League
party and it would be entitled to
place on the ballot. The Democratic
party had no candidate for governor
and the question is raised whether
or. not the Democratic party lost its
Place on the ballot:
What Column to Take.
The Nonpartisan League has al
ways entered the Republican pri-
mary and has profited by the fact
that many independents remained in
the Democratic party. The new stu
alton, some leaguers foresee, creates
straight alignment between the in
dependent forces Of the state and
the Nonpartisans, and with the
league turn by factional warfare and
loss Of power they believe that the
league is at a material disadvantage.
If the league chooses to remain in
the Republican party the opposition
may fill the Nonpartisan League
party column and confuse their
voters, they say, while if they re-
main out of the Republican primary
they lose a benefit Of having for
years educated their voters to vote
as Republicans.
Text of Resolution.
The resolution, which was adopted
in the convention as q compromise,
reads as follows:
Whereas, we feel that our con-
nection with the old national execu-
tive committee has led to endless
difficulties and unsatisfactory busi-
ness relations on the part Of said
national executive committee, there
fore be it resolved that we sever all
connection with the national exeeu-
tive COMMITTEES, that we recognize
the state executive committee as the
sole governing authority, advised
only by the rank and file Of the Nom
partisan League who are and should
be the supreme authority"
Senator J. L. Miklethun claimed
the adoption of the resolution repre-
sented I victory for the insurgents,
and repudiates the old leaders, while
the bssregulars" felt satisfied that
they rhad prevented the naming Of
A. G. Townley and William Lemke
in the resolution. Mr.. Lemke took
CONTINUED on rage Two)