The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-18

paign Of September, 1883. It was
shown ct the trial that some OF ''T1ae
Leader" money went to nav the ex-
penses Of that political extravaganza.
A part OF It went to pay for the spe-
cial edition carrying propaganda for
the sales tax and other Langer-spon-
sored measures which had been re-
ferred to the people after their pas
sage By the legislature.
Attacks Former Allies
At this time, too. there appeared
the first vicious attacks upon the
men who had been elected with
LANCER In 1882 but who had broken
with him because of his policies and
his attempts to dictate to them.
Most severely attacked were John
HUSKY, commissioner Of agriculture
and labor and Arthur Thompson, SUI
pertntendent Of public instruction.
The latter denied 1.-THE Leader" as
serttons that passage Of the sales
tax. IA the form then proposed. would
benefit the schools to any appreciable
extent.
The sales tax defeated, the news
paper continued its propaganda
career without notable incident until
April. when the Nonpartisan nominat-
Ing conventions were held. But In
the interval the breach had widened
and the publication was attacking
the former political friends Of the
governor. OF al those elected BY the
Nonpartisan League In North Dakota
It said pleasant things only about the
governor and his appointees and the
little handful Of elective officials
who either had sided with him or
had taken noncommittal stand.
Included In this group were Railroad
commissioner Ben g. Larkin and
State Auditor Berta Baker. Attor-
ney General p. o. Satire was Lang
er's own employe.
Senator Lynn J. Frazier came IN
for . little cautious praise Is did
Congressman william Lemke. but
Senator Gerald p. Nye and Congress-
man J. II. Sinclair were anathema.
Regarded - Political Power
Rushing constantly to the attack,
The Leader" rapidly was being
placed on the defensive but both it,
sponsors and its enemies regarded IL
Is political power. Leader advoca.
tes claimed the people wanted It.
It's enemies asserted that It was be-
ing distributed free to many persons
who were not getting any other pub
Ncations.
When convention season rolled
around LANCER was being attacked on
two different fronts. The federal
investigation was under way and the
governor knew about It. In addition.
efforts were being made to break his
grip on the Nonpartisan League. The
fight waxed hot In precinct and coun-
ty conventions and The Leader" was
admittedly . factor in hangers sue
cess.
Meantime, its finances had been
bolstered BY sources other than the
five per cant collections. Large ad-
verttsements were published In It.
paid for BY the Bank Of North Da.
kota. the state mill and elevator ana
the twine plant ct the state prison.
On one occaxion the mill manage
ment contributed $1,000 IA cash.
charging It up to prepaid adver-
Using"
Revenues Mount Quickly
In addition, its revenue from other
sources mounted. Ugly hints were
spread that to do business with Lang.
er-contolled state departments, bus
tness houses had to advertise In ''The
leader" These reports were espe-
cially prevalent about the highway
department., despite =. A. VogelS den.
ial at the trial that no was not In
terested II the publication.
Under the editoship Of Oscar But.
tedahl, former instructor In Journal.
Ism Of thu University Of North d.
kota. ''The Leader" In it, earliest
stages Vas similar IN appearance to|
any weal-edited weekly newspaper.
1t contained items Of general inter.
est. The name Of LANCER appeared
only . minimum number. Of times.
In tho edition Of July %, 1888. . |
Photographic halftone Of p. w. Lanier
Was used with IN announcement Of
his appointment - United States
district attorney.
Emphasis. through the lavish usel
Of bold face type, soon was placed On
the name Of LANCER. however. and
tho general news content WAS almost
entirely detected to afford more SPACE
Tor tho advancement Of the chief
executives controversial policies.
Yell when Worm Turns
with LANCER and his cohorts In
dtcted, The Leader" slarieked o. po-
utael pesaoouton. took 70 ths pub.