The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-06-26
LANCER Trial Reactions Are Varied
EDITORS sPEAkTHElRMINDs
Opponents Regret, Friends Bitter

Regret and bitterness mark the
reaction OF Western North Dakota
editors to news Of the conviction of
William LANCER on a charge Of con-
spiracy against the government.
The regret comes from newspapers
which are opposed to him and his
practices, the bitterness from those
which have been-and still are-sup-
porting his cause.
The Mckenzie County Farmer COM
ments as follows:
Though opposed to LANCER and
Langerism, this paper Is not inclined
to be jubilant or exhilarant over the
outcome of the trial. It Is anything
but joyous that North Dakota gov
ernor elected by the Nonpartisan
League should be the first governor
In history convicted OF conspiracy
against the United States. Leaguers,
without respect to their division over
LANCER, cannot but feel the mark Of
the scarlet letter. 1t remained for a
single individual to bring shame and
humiliation to an organization con-
ceived In high idealism and enduring
in its devotion to protect and foster
the welfare of all citizens.
THAT he has run his course is not
without its compensations, for we be-
lieve q vast amount OF enthusiasm
and hooray for LANCER came from
beneficiaries Of his bounty rather
than Leaguers-all Of us are aware a
number Of his appointees were, and
probably are yet, Of our old-time IVA.
These were, If possible, more viru-
lent than the LANCER wing OF
Leaguers."
The Aneta Panorama, recalling that
LANCER and Vogel laughed at their
indictment In political address
there before the trial, remarks:
TOO many admissions were made
on the witness stand by the governor,
especially. to laugh things away here
after. When he admitted that he had
collected $4,000 from the S per cent
Leader fund to pay himself off an
alleged indebtedness from the Nom
partisan League management. but
stated that no one knew anything
about it except he and Erickson, the
governor will find many people ask
ing the question In their minds,
WHY? How did It happen that NO
ONE except Bill and Oscar knew any
thing about that little matter OF some
t2l, 900 he claimed the League owed
him since 1922"
This newspaper also demanded to
know why Attorney General P. o.
Satire did not proceed against Lam
ger and his aides for violating the
state law.
The Hettinger County Herald says
The conviction of LANCER brings the
growing conviction to the people that
house-cleaning is needed at the
state capital" and that:
"A felon may be good fellow but
he cannot be governor. LANCER can
not be blamed for the front he is
foisting as a friend Of the deer pee
pull But his militaristic morator-
tums of the past did not prevent the
former governor and his 'conspira- |
tors from gouging $50 1000 from poor
ly paid aides Of the administration.
While declaring other people could
not collect honest debts during hard
times Bill LANCER admitted under
oath he collected nearly $4,000 owed
him by the Nonpartisan League.
when LANCER placed his morator-
ium on wheat to help the poor farm |
err he also placed bet on the wheat |
market with about $4,000 collected !
from payroll widows and patrol men,
according to the testimony In federal
court. LANCER lost in this gamble as
he did in the gamble to get money !
from government employees on the
relief rolls
In his personal column In the |
Dickey County Leader, H. G. God |