The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-20
Those Federal Indictments

Governor LANCER. several state en-
ployes. and lesser personages have
been indicted for alleged infractions
of federal laws relative to conspiracy
and illegal solicitation Of political
funds.
This, in brief, Is the charge to be
tried soon in the federal court here.
1t should be borne In mind. however,
that nothing in these federal bills OF
indictment involves the rather thor
ough five-per- shakedown Of
state employees to support the LANCER
newspaper and political machine.
No other state official has ever
initiated such an intensive drive for
political funds as that launched by
Governor LANCER and his henchmen,
almost before the ink was dry on the
gubernatorial certificate Of election.
Since there is no state law prohibit
ing the solicitation of state employees,
the electors Of North Dakota must
weigh the wisdom Of that admins
tration policy ut the June primaries.
The Tribune has frequently de-
nounced the relentless and brazen
racket which has brought Thousands
OF dollars into the political Golfers
Of the LANCER machine. These late
developments emphasize this political
shake-down as vital issue In the
campaign now beginning. No one
denies that the political cut has In
volved nearly every pay check under
Governor Langer's control.
The federal indictments present q
different aspect, although the Issue
OF public policy and clean politics
remains the same. Uncle Sam has
made it a felony, punishable by q
fine and Imprisonment, to solicit po-
litical funds by threats or coercion
from those on the federal payroll.
Congress found, with the development
Of a civil service system. that the
solicitation OF political funds from
government workers was poor public
policy and opened the door to Ill
forms Of political racketeering.
So, years ago. congress wisely ruled
against such political intimidation
and coercion. Other laws were pass
ed, too, restricting campaign expen-
ditures. and this whole body Of sta
tutes came to be known q the COR
rupt practices act. Their purpose is
to insure clean, honest elections and
prevent political bosses from mani
pulating elections to defeat tho will
Of the people.
Governor LANCER and his associates
stand charged with violations Of
these federal laws insofar as they
apply to the solicitation of funds for
political purposes.
They are entitled to their day In
court and to be considered innocent
until proved guilty. constitutional
guarantee elaborated and emphasized
by statutory acts.
Federal Judge Andrew Miller, In
his charge to the grand jury. eau
toned against the influence Of po-
litical bias or manipulation. He
sounded the proper keynote to gov
ern the prosecution Of those indicted.
Their high positions Of trust should
give them no more consideration
than is accorded the lowliest defend
ant who faces the bar OF justice.
Their political status should. on the
other hand, deny them none Of the
protection accorded those who nor.
mally are shielded from the !ntense
rays Of publicity.
While public interest In the trial
Of these men will run high. the course
Of justice, under the strict rules Of
our federal courts, will be impartial
and nor-political. That II q It
should be.