The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-01-30
ANSWER TO HAGSTROM
Bismarck. N. D.,
Jan. -, 1895.

Editor, Tribune:
I have read the letter Of Mr.. Oscar
Hagstrom Of Wilton regarding Ger
tain political questions, and beg TO
answer his letter g follows:
TO begin with I must call Mr.. Hag-
strom's attention to the fact that !
claim to be Is staunch . supporter Of
the Nonpartisan League g he Is, but
cannot agree fully with the. stand
which he takes on Langerism.
I am Of the opinion that there e Z
political machine which, for the past
two years, has been absolutely domin-
ated BY LANCER and . few henchmen.
This domination has no doubt been
growing less since LANCER lost the
governorship. but up to the November
election the LANCER machine was, ]
am satisfied, In full control Of the
Nonpartisan political machinery.
which he shaped for his own personal
profit, and for that Of his henchman,
vogel. I thought that the last elec-
ton was Z rather clean election "a
far Is the usual mud singing was
concerned.
To me the Nonpartisan League
stands for honest, clean government
and I am ready to take up arms
against anyone within the league who
trys to use the league organisation
for corrupt purposes, and personal
graft.
I saw william LANCER rise against
the Nonpartisan League In 1870 and
use every means ct his command,
both fair and foul. to destroy the or.
ganixation. saw him and heard him
call us Ill Socialists and other names,
seeking to build himself up By des.
troying Us. I saw him q the IVA
standard bearer In 1870. I read his
lying book. written Ut that time, &C.
cusing Frazier, Lemke and other hon
orable men in the league Of being
anything but gentlemen. I saw him
repudiated BY the votes Of the Non.
partisans ct the 1870 election. Later
on, about lo27-2o, I saw him seeking
re.entry into the Nonpartisan ranks,
trying to muscle in again to the par
ty he had tried his best to Witty and
destroy. I saw his endless planning
and fixing until 1t last he boldly
stood forth - the league candidate
for governor In 1882, where he made
enough Of Us believe In him and his
promises to give him the nomination,
which later on swept him into the
governors chair.
And then We saw the real LANCER In
action. With promises Of jobs 10 e.
cured the passage Of his own pet
schemes. He had the one-rnan high.
way bill passed. to give his chief
henchman. voeel, command Of the
giant highway organization. He des-
troyed such measures - he pleased.
He had those passed that best fitted
into his scheme for making uaoney
for himself and = few henchmen.
He had the or,e-n,au power bin en-.
acted giving him, - governor. tho
power 70 veto any oct Of the 9th.
Or two members Of the industrial
commission. This practically gave
him absolute power over the Bank
Of North Dakota and the mill and
elevator Ct Grand Forks. With nearly
one million dollars to it, credit. SUBJ
ject 70 the Managers check.
When one Of the supreme court
Judges resigned and went to Washing-
ton Il gave LANCER the chance ~ had
been waiting for and he soon had his
own man In the office q tho attog.
ney general. which gave him aheo-
lutte power over the bank and The mill
and elevator.
After the stage was Ill ct the milk
ing process began. He started hig
newspaper and his henchmAn. voCel.
drove the money IN. The more monay
they collected the holder they ct and
Il was not long until the STATE em-
ployees were being discharged Tor -.
ltlsing to pay the assessment which
LANCER demanded Tor his Newspaper.
I believe Z conservative estimate Of
the money that LANCER obtained nom
the Newspaper venture could b ut
ct $4,000. He had TO admit the .ap-
propriation o. 80 900 q his trial. but
escaped being exposed ca the reet On
the plea that the checks could not
b found.
v .,,v.>sa> .,os, vuo,,lA sev thai ~