The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-07-18

E LANCER and his adherents expe<
: eventual defeat and have expected
! for some time. Workmen began re
moving files and papers from LANCER
office Monday and officials Of othe
departments, expected to be remove
by Olson as soon as he gets around b
1t. were removing confidential file
from their offices to their homes
Also. all LANCER partisans cashe'
their mid-month expense checks with
out delay, an unusual procedure.
! The ostensible cause Of LANCER
|, action In calling out tie militia ~
threat Of riot and bfoodshed. although
there appeared no possibility Of tht
at any time In Bismarck, political hot.
bed Of the state and scene Of &C.
tivity.
Late Tuesday night . small crowd
composed largely Of young men will
a few women stragglers, began K
parade the streets shouting at tn
top Of their lungs, I'VE want LAngerl'
The group of about so person.
made SO much noise that their voicea
could be heard on the outskirts o.
the city and the streets Immediately
filled with automobiles and curioul
olllookers.
On the whole, however. the demon
strators were orderly and no untoward
events occurred.
Later this group and hundreds Of
! the curious flocked to the state CAP
itol building where Larger addressed
them, among other things aSking
them for money to finance his ap-
peal from the federal court convic-
ton on charges Of conspiracy against
the federal government, which lies q
the root Of his present trouble.
May Call Federal Troops
Possibility that federal troops from
Fort Lincoln would be called into
Bismarck to preserve order and save
the state from anarchy seemed re-
Esote Wednesday. although It stiu was
y possibility.
order had been received at the fort
but it was held strictly confidential
and Olson gave no sign Of asking for
that sort Of federal assistance. On
the contrary. II aid Is asked from
Washington. there were indications
that its nature would be that OF an
executive order to the national guard.
Since the national guard troops are
servants of the federal government
first and of the state second, federal
authorities could order them out to
preserve order In the sCate Is repre-
sentatives Of the national govern
ment.
Throughout the night Olson was In
conference with his friends and ad-
visers at the Prince Hotel. LANCER,
still in the governors office, held con-
ferences with his partisans there, issu-
ing statement that his declaration
Of martial law was "deslgned to pre-
vent bloodshed and rioting.'
The presumption Wednesday In
some quarters was that LANCER still Is
the de facto governor and Will con-
tinue to be so until q writ Of quo
warranto Is served on hun by the su-
preme court
Olson forces, however. were re-
ported to have taken the stand that
nc such writ is necessary: that as soon
as the court held LANCER disquali-
fled from acting he ceased to be de
facto governor or to hold any official
authority. Qualification OF this angle
was expected during the day.
Case Had PeculiaFities
Attention was called Wednesday to
a ,,oc,,lio,.ifxy ~ tina nos,e$ oo<lcs. -
which LANCER was held disqualified
from acting as governor. The suit
technically was not an custer action
but one to test Langer's qualifications.
When the court held LANCER disquali-
fled, Olson adherents contended, o..
son assumed office automatically by
reason Of such disqualification.
The decision Of the court was by q
four-to-one vote. Chief Justice Burr
aud Justices Burke, Nuessele and Nc
Kenna comprising the majority and
Justice George Moellring, appointed
to the bench by LANCER, dissenting.
Moellring reserved the right to file .
dissenting opinion.
Observers considered the declAra-
ton Of martial law by LANCER a. q
fight against time in the face Of the
converting Of the special session Of
the legislature.
It was pointed out that with Lanse1
forces In control Of both assemblies
they were hopeful that the Legislature
would take some action that may %.
preside the courts order. How this
would be done was not ascertainable
but 1t was definitely learned that
such action has been considered By
LANCER supporters.
LANCER Would Avoid Rioting
LANCER said his attention had beer
called to the threat Of rioting and
disorder throughout the city to sucl,
an extent that the city is unable Il
cope with 1t"
Through the night, adherents o1
LANCER marched through the streets
here shouting, I'VE want Langer!'
There also was a demonstration q
the hotel where Olson lives. At thu
state capitol several score persons al
around the statehouse steps
Inside, LANCER conferred with hi
political aides, as 20 national guards.
men were posted outside and inside o.
tie structure.
Use Of the state militia recalled re.
raarks by Olson's counsel In the 81.
preme court proceedings when hi
attorney charged In oral argumentl
LANCER planned to set up himself q
a de facto head Of the state govern.
nient should the decision 60 agains1
him.
LANCER was overwhelmingly renom.
mated for governor on the Repubu
can ticket June ~. but his status - /
nominee to enter the fall election VA
uncertain. It was deemed likely poll
teal foes would seek to prevent hi
entrance into the general election.
i Mrs. LANCER has been mentioned q
q possible choice Of the LANCER con
trolled Republican central COMMITTEES
t., run for governor. but there IN
q.