The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-28
SORLIE WANTED
TO RECON GLE
PARTY GROUPS
Rise to Political Power MeteOric
Following Discovery BY
League
ASSAILED BY COHORTS
Was Seriously Injured During
First Campaign in AutomO-
bile Accident
ASSAILED BY COHORTS

,ffice. Governor Sorlie had prev
iously held only enc elective office,
that of city councilman OF Grand
Forks. His rise to political rromi-
hence was meteoric and at one time |
it appeared that he might develop
into one Of the strongest political
personalities the state has known. 4
Throughout much Of his admins
tration Governor Sorlie had in mind |
a program to unite the two leading
factions of the Republican party in
the state by eliminating the ultra
radicals from the Nonpartisan
League and drawing into Progress
sive Republican" party the most lib
eral elements in the Independent
Voters Association. The line of de-
marcation between the two Republic
can factions proved too strong. how
ever. and the dream was never real
:zed. :.
A statement by Governor Sorlie
in 1925 in which he indicated aband-
onment of the term Nonpartisan
League and expressed a preference
cor the term Progressive Republican
As indicative of the League organic
alton caused resentment among some
leaders of his own party. He was
bitterly assaulted by some Nonpartl-
sans prior to the Nonpartisan con-
vention of 1926 but easily dominated
that gathering. He was re-endorsed
and reelected by large majority.
Having been beaten in the recall
election of 1921 and the regular cleo
ton of 1922. the Nonpartisans found
themselves in 1924 without a candi-
date for governor who gave promise
of making successful race. The
late Senator Bert F. Baker was men
toned as candidate but the organ
ization had little financial support
and to win with Baker seemed hope
.ess.
Endorsed In 1924
In this emergency some leaders OF
he Nonpartisan organization turnei
toward Sorlie as a possible candl-
date. He had never been an active
member of the Nonpartisan League
out was listed as progressive and
known to be friendly to the Non.
partisan cause. His name was placed
before the Nonpartisan convention
and he was endorsed for the Repub-
lican gubernatorial nomination. n
the following primary campaign he
won the nomination by a narrow
margin and wss elected in the fall
without difficulty.
During the primary campaign
Governor Sorl'a was seriously in
jured in an automobile accident in
which Senator Baker was killed and
R. w. Frazier. his campaign man.
ager, also was injured. The govern
Or suffered severe conclusion Of
he brain but recovered.
Early in his first administration
the governor incurred the enmity OF
Re leaders in his own party organ
son,siAn by paying little attention to
UT recommendations for appoint
Z ments. Among these was r. w.
Frazier. This animosity increased
in intensity and reached its climax
in the Nonpartisan state convention
of 1928 in which some resolutions
were passed which were interpreted
in some quarters as censuring his
administration.
At his own request the manage.
ment of the state mill and elevator
was delegated to the governor by the
legislative session Of 1925. In his
campaign he had promised that he
would make the state-owned enter
prise pay. At the same time the
Bank of North Dakota was directed
to extend credit to the mill to the
sum of 100000. At the governors
suggestion the law barring the sale
of cigarettes in the state was re.
pealed and some other legislation
was passed. The list included appro.
priations for bridges across the Mis-.
souri, river at Williston and Sanish.
Appointed Nye Senator
One of the most important acts Of
Governor Sorlie's first term was hi.
appointment of Gerald P. Nye to thu
United States senate. When thu
question Of seating Nye was pending
in the senate the governor wa.
credited with having induced som,
members of that body to vote fol
seating his appointee.
The governor had announced hi!
intention Of not calling an election
to fill the vacancy caused by TIL
death Of Senator E. F. Ladd and hat
expressed his intention not to MAKE
an appointment. A Nonpartisan con
vention was called with the objec
ST advising him what to do but n,
action was taken. Later q group o
Nonpartisans asked the governor t,
make an appointment and the mex
day Nye's appointment was an
bounced.
Although his campaign for re
election in 1926 was without inciden
the legislative session Of 1927 foun
The governor in 4 bitter contest wit
The legislature, each branch of whicl
was controlled by his political oppo
rents.
Legislation introduced at the sug
gestion Of the governor was killei
among these bills being one for tn
branding and labelling Of flour i
which he took Z keen personal in
terest. The controversy on thi
measure brought the governor int
direct conflict with L. L. Twichell Q
Fargo, Independent legislative lead
e. The battle between them wage
bitterly throughout the Legislative
yession.
Both legislative branches wer
sOlidly against him and numerou
pisces 0f legislation were paSse
which ~ considered inimical to tn
hent interests Of the state. A.
reeulf - vetood 20 measures. hi
veto ms..egss ringing with d:nunel