The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-30

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spontaneous origin published herein.
All rights of republication Of all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Unswayed by Politics
Federal Judge Andrew Miller did
just what his friends knew he would
do. He meted out justice to William
LANCER and his guilty associates ac-
cording to the law. With election
aftermath ringing IN his ears, and
sullied political victory In the hands
OF the culprits facing him, Judge
Miller did his duty, unswayed by what
had taken place in the North Dakota
primary election . few days ago.
Thus are the courts the bulwark
against emotional outbursts Of q cor
rupt political organization; against
the acts Of voters who are too often
easily swayed by demagogic and emo
tional appeals.
The election returns Of Wednesday
which swept many honest, efficient
and fearless men from office because
they would not join In the sinister
and illegal acts Of LANCER and his
cohorts, did not alter in any degree
the verdict Of guilty which II cour-
ageous citizens found against William
LANCER and his conspirators In crime,
foul hooters OF funds set aside to
shield the weak and to administer to
the needs Of the poor, the crippled
and the homeless.
It Is hard to understand the re-
action of the electorate to the verdict
and the evidence in the LANCER con-
spiracy trial unless one IS conversant
with the power which money has In
the manipulation Of primary cleo
tons.
Governor hangers political Golfers
were full and overlooking with monies
illegally collected. Standing supinely
by, was an attorney generals depart
ment which knew that Z state as
well Is q federal law had been out
rageously and brasenly violated.
Judge Miller recited impressively In
court during the trial the state
statute violated under the very nose
Of the present attorney general who,
thanks to an unfortunate division in
the LANCER opposition ranks, won .
nomination along with the others
who approve and defend the corrup-
ton for which now their chief and
his associates face penitentiary SEN
fences, loss Of citizenship. respect Of
their fellowmen and who probably
will be barred from holding positions
Of trust within the gift Of the people
for years to come.
The fearless action Of Judge Miller
IS q potent challenge to the people Of
this state to clean house and see to
it that no one who has defended or
had traffic with the corruptionists Is
ever elected to office.
Involved in the fight IS the integ-
rity Of our state court. LANCER cam
didates for the highest court have
been proposed. Their election should
fail. Those nominees should be ia
vored who owe no political allegiance
to these boodlers whom the federal
court has sentenced.
North Dakota's honor Is at stake
as never before in its history. Thou
sands Of the electorate have been
uniformed. They have been lied to.
cajoled and in many places money
has been used lavishly to bring out
vote which LANCER and his associ-
ates were foolish enough to think
would impress Judge Miller.
Wednesdays vote was not q vote
Of confidence in LANCER and his fell
low nominees.
It was . machine driven endorse
ment. For II months. william LANCER
has devoted little time to Official
business; most Of it to building up
. personal political machine, well
oiled by the filthy lucre which he
and his agents illegally collected ana
diverted-to the tune Of Thousands
to their own personal uses.
The state payrolls have been
packed with henchmen working night
and day to build up an invincible
machine which by threat. intimida-
ton and every artifioe Of politics
could drive into camp the votes t.
keep LANCER and his henchmen IN
power. They hoped even to impress
. federal court with their own I'm.
porJance.
Unfortunately. the LANCER regime
has meant much patronage 70 GER
tain commercial concerns. The vots
IN the cities indicates that IAncs1
was not without support By those whe
participated n sonae q the politica
plumber which Langer had 70 d.
tSibute. That = tue 81 mast unhOl,
political alliances Thmmany oper'
ats1 Tor years : poli1leal aystan =
tribute and soma Of tn tactics o
t4at asaAsn1isn havs bssn ussd =