The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-03-07

where the major battles were fought.
One OF the outstanding develop
ments Of the session was the chal-
lenge to the old leadership Of the I.
v. A. faction and the rise Of new men
who may usurp the role which the
Cass county man has long played in
his own faction.
AS long as TWichell remained with
in the bounds Of the party's platform,
as presented to the people. he en-
countered no. difficulty, but when he
attempted to go beyond it-and these
cases we're numerOuS-he invariably
found himself unable to hold his own
group in line.
These digressions from the an
nounced intentions Of the group.
coupled with the bitterness OF
Twichell's tongue, caused some to
grow angry and others to laugh.
Whether or not Twichell Is immed-
lately doomed as the leader OF his
party, even his friends admit that he
lost ground at this session and tina.
the reverSes which he suffered will
hamper his efforts to retain control.
One of the most surprising events
of the session was the beginning of
a breach In the CaSs county delega-
ton.
Ken Fitch, manager OF the Ameri-
can Legion state band and widely
known in the state, was the recalcit-
rant member. Sitting in the seat be-
side Twichell. he refused to follow
the party on several measures and
efforts to discipline him failed.
Single-handed, Fitch tried to pre-
vent cuts in the appropriation for the
state agricultural college in his home
town, which Twichell had approved.
Twichell's failure to make party
Issues" out Of measures on which the
party was not definitely on record,
was regarded as one of the most in
dlcative things Of the session.
This, more than anything else,
demonstrated that the period Of poll
teal fanaticism and of blindly fol-
lowing party leadership has vanished
with the years. It was apparent that
Il new sentiment is abroad in the
state. regardless OF whether a new
political IDEAL" Is in the making.
The effort failed, but the fact that
it was made marked the rift between
the %youngster and the Oldster Of the
Cass county group more clearly than
anything else could have done.
Later, Fitch was guilty OF political
lese majesty. He had wandered into
the gallery of the house chamber and
had answered several roll calls from
that position, apparently weary Of
sitting In one place all Of the time.
Then came q announcement which
brought down the house."
With a measure up for action,
Fitch leaned over the rail and ad-
dressed Twichell, sitting directly be-
low him, in a stage whisper. He said:
Did I vote right on that one Lafe?"
The assembly shouted in glee at
this bit of tomfoolery which appar-
emily had more behind 1t than ap-
peared on the surface.
Twichell, a hardened c%ampaigner,
almost blushed. It was the first time
that he had been subjected to pub
JIG ridicule by a member of his own
faction. and to have the offender a
Cass county man made the breach
more noticeable.
As Twichell's legislative star ap-
peared to dim, that Of a Nonpartisan
rival frightened appreciably.
Named as assistant floor leader as
the session opened, H. F. SWEET OF
Kidder county, who was born In Bis
marck, earned the plaudits of his own
faction and the admiration Of his
rivals. Quick of wit and with an
agile tongue, SWEET directed most Of
the maneuvering Of his faction, and
to him went most Of the credit for
administering the defeats which
Twichel suffered. :
More suave than the Fargo man,
he was tire perfect foil for Tvichells
thrusts. Politely but diligently he
goaded Twichell into outbursts which
weakened him with his own adher-
ents.
One Of SWEETS favorite methods. IN
dealing with issues not contained In
the announced I. v. A. program. wa
to say that he had searched the L.
A. platter, and the governors mes
sage and could find no reference to
the subject. BY ~stressing this fact
he never failed to hold his own group
IN line and to get Just enough support
from his rivals to achieve victory.
!. r,ne ~ Tvichells last .ffOrtS ia