The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-03-28
SAYS MORATORIUM
PROCLAMATION WAS
ONLY HALF MEASURE
.Thoresen Attacks LANCER Rec
ord IN Speech to Boosters
Club at Grafton

half measure, the embargo proclama-
ton, which he called IAN insincere
gesture" and charging that LANCER
vetoed the constructive measure pass
ed by the 1888 legislative assembly
giving the courts the right to delay
foreclosure actions. because he wanted
to reserve that right to himself so he
could increase his own political pres
tige, T. H. Thoresen. candidate for
the Republican nomination for gov
elnor, spoke here Wednesday night at
meeting Of the Cover
rcr club.
It was T11oresen's first formal ad-
dress since his endorsement by the
anti-Langer Nonpartisan League con-
sention at Jamestown.
Referring to the moratorium Thore-
sen said: "A little over a year ago a
proclamation was issued In this state
stopping foreclosure sales. This pro-
clamation, however, failed to give to
those in real need the protection to
which they are entitled I may illu-
strate what have In mind by saying
that We in the legal profession know
that foreclosure sale made upon
real estate is merely paper transac-
ton. That In this state the owner
still has year in which to redeem his
property. during which time he may
occupy the premises and take all the
proceeds and earnings thereof That
T. Is only after the period Of redenp-
tion-one ycar-that a sheriff's deed
is issued. where the owner Is deprived
OF his property rights.
Was Half Measure
AT the time the proclamation was
issued I called attention to the fact
that as a protertion to the people OF
the state 1t was only half measure.
That II there was to be any protection
to the home owner the proclamation
should also have stopped the issuance
Of q sheriff's deed at the end OF
years redemption. Many mortgages
had been foreclosed during 1891 and
1882 which would ripen into sheriff's
deed during 1888. The records Of this
state disclose the fact that sherlff's
deeds were issued without any inter-
ference and to the full knowledge of
the executive issuing the proclama-
ton order but no effort was made to
stop them. It was only when I called
public attention to this fact in Deem
Der. 1888. that second proclamation
was issued stopping the issuance Of
sheriffs deeds. dali attention to this
fact for the reason that 1t is conclusive
and public notice Of the insincerity OF
the PROCLAMATION.
Would Protect Everyone
Declaring that he was in favor OF
moratorium upon foreclosures which
will protect any citizen who honestly
and sincerely tries to keep. maintain
and protect his property. but who fails
due to the breaking down OF the Geo.
nomic system. Thoresen said, every
person should have the protection of
the government to see that he is
secure in his home.
In cases where some people do not
show good faith In making an effort
to redeem their property and who
may not be willing to deal honestly
With their fellow man. they should be
Investigated before the protection is
granted. Thoresen declared. IF these
distressing conditions continue into
1885, I shall be only too happy to ex-
tend this protection to all who may
bc In trouble and who are sincerely
and honestly trying to protect their
homes, because that is the true func-
ton of government he said.
Referring to tn. act OF the last leg
islature giving the courts the right to
delay actions involving foreclosures
and which was vetoed by Governor
LANCER, Thoresen said: mo argument
need be advanced that the act was a
wise and good measure. The chief
executive, however, did not feel so In
c.ined and the measure was vetoed
with the explanation that 1t would
Inconvenience the courts. I do not
believe this was the real reason. I
believe the real reason for that veto
was that the chief executive did not
want to delegate that power to any,
one csc but that he would reserve that
right to himself in order that he
might increase his own political pres
tige."
I'VE must certainly recognize he
said In closing. that concentration OF
wealth Is Americas greatest peril and
a more equitable distribution Is its
greatest need"
a a