The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-29
LANGER'S SENTENCE
PUTS ABRUPT CRIMP
NUNUSUAL CAREER
Demonstrates That Power OIL
Federal Government Is
Superior to State
HAS LED C0LORFuL LIFE
Studied Law at Columbia Uni.
versity; Graduated With
High Honors

Sentence Of william LANCER by FED
eral Judge Andrew Miller In Fargo puts
an abrupt crimp in Is spectacular q
career as North Dakota has ever
known and demonstrates that the
power Of the federal government Is
superior to that Of the state.
The LANCER story, replete with
highlights and shadows, begins on the
Cas- county farm where he was born
Sept. 80, 1855.
His school days do not appear In
the record, but some Of his early as
sociates say they noted then tenden-
cies which were to be emphasized In
later life.
Attending the University Of North
Dakota for q while. he later studied
law at Columbia university where he
graduated with honors and edited the
school newspaper. It was his first
taste OF venture which, carried out
In contravention Of the laws Of the
government, later was to cause his
sentence to prison.
Passed bar Exam 1t 10
A brilliant student and indefatig.
able worker, LANCER passed the bar
examination at the age Of 10 and was
admitted to the practice Of law 1T q
special session Of the state supreme
court on his 2lst birthday, having
waited three years In order 10 become
OF sufficient age to take the oath Of
an attorney.
In 1905 LANCER entered the law Of
flee Of Judge Engerud 1T Fargo as . |
clerk and and, with other members of |
the firm, took part in the lawsuit
which saw the end Of the old Equity |
Exchange, one Of tho first farmers |
movements In the northwest. The
Engerud firm was against the equity. |
Upon graduation from law school, !
LANCER looked about for an oppor-
tunity to practice law and finally set
tied at Mandan, where he found his
former college chum. H. r. Bitxing,
was states attorney.
Biting appointed LANCER Is his as
sistant and two years later found
LANCER Is his opponent for the Of
flee. LANCER was elected and then
really began the spectacular career
which was crowned with q primary
victory Wednesday and turned to
ashes Friday by his sentence In fed
eral court.
The first spectacular political move
was his enforcement Of the dry laws
In wet" Morton county. He was
cagy about 1t, however, and was re-
elected. On one occasion, according
70 an article appearing In the Courier
News, Nonpartisan publication issued
in Fargo In 1920, he aided In organ
izing social" club, then caused the
club to b raided for liquor. L
A glib talker and fast worker.
LANCER grew to be Z power in Nor
ton county and when it appeared
that the Nonpartisan League would
become = power in the state he A.
filiated with it.
At the age Of IS he was nomin.
ated Tor attorney general on the
first Nonpartisan League ticket in
1916 and was elected. In addition to
support from dry organizations he
had gained : reputation g an enemy
Of the corporations by filing tax
suits against the railroads and the
Standard Oil company, obtaining : | /
Judgment for $3.50, 900 against the
former. Whether or not It was col.
ected does not appear in the record.
Caused Arrest Of Hall
AZ m important member OF the
!irst Frazier administration. LaneerI
ndulged his lust for the spectac-
liar BY causing the arrest Of Thomas I
Hall, then secretary Of state and c
ater . congressman, on criminal d
:harges having. to do with the han :
ling Of money in the state motor y
'ehic!e registration department. Il
Hall was exonerated and both he +
md LANCER were re-nominated and
'e-elected in 1918. =
In 1919. LANCER, Hall and Carl 4
Aositzky, still . resident Of Bur- y
etEh county and then state auditor. n
pitt with the Nonpartisan League :
md In 1920 LANCER became the 81
'ubernatortal candidate Of the newly. :,
organised Independent Voters Asso- :.
iation. The campaign Of 1920 was :,
utter, LANCER heaping villificatiou :.
nd abuse upon Lynn ]. Frazier, now $
en.tor and then his opponent, and :
,aving the way for the recall cleo !.
ion Of 1921 which unseated Fraxier. =
temke, now congressman, :. =
nd John N. Hagan. y
His ambition temporarily quench- 9 =
q, LANCER dropped out Of politics =
tier his defeat IA 1920 and did not Y
eappear again until 1924, when be @
eme 70 light again - Z Nonparti- ~
m. y
League Slow 70 Accept Hin
Suspicious after their previous ex- q
erience with him, members Of the q
1eague were slow 70 accept him q
ack IN their good graces but il .
o28 no WAS their unsuccessful can 4
idats for attorney general, losing n
MARROW margin.
u 1889 he was the candidate for q
overnor and was nominated and ia
toonf1nusE - - 1Nol u