The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, March 2, 1916, Page 3

1 ‘The League’s Caucuses Prove Political Sensation Greatest Simultaneous 'Gatheringnof Farmers of the Kind Even a most conservative estimate - of the number of North Dakota farm- ers who assembled in the precinct and township caucuses of the Farmers’ Nonpartisan Political League Wash- ington’s birthday, February 22, shows that it was the biggest simultaneous gathering of the kind in the state, if ~mnot in the United States, or for that matter in the world. A careful estimate made at head- quarters places the number at from 24,000 to 26,000, every one a North Dakota farmer and every one a mem- ber of the League. While this does not fully represent the membership in the League it is undoubtedly the largest assemblage of farmers bent on a single purpose and enthusiastic to a man that has ever taken place anywhere. As: the returns from the 2000 or so townships in the state pour in it is evident that practically every voting precinct in North Dakota has elected its delegate to the coming legislative district conventions of the League. Breaks All Records In hundreds of cases more voters as- sembled at the League’s township caucuses than the total number of votes ever cast in those townships at any election in the past. In scores of instances every mem- ber of the League in the township re- ported at the meeting and in other precincts impassable roads or illness was the only thing that kept the meet- ing from bringing out every member. Letters bearing the reports of these meetings express the marvel of the farmers themselves at the complete- ness of their organization. All Townships Represented In many counties every single town- ship has elected a League delegate amf in very few countjes are there more than a small number' of town- ships missing. While the mass of reports of the meetings have not been fully compiled at headquarters, :although an aug- mented staff has been at work on them for several days, some 50 reports have been tabulated where the farmers in caucus found every farmer voter in the township was'a League member, a condition which surprised even them. In many strictly rural townships the reports show that every voter is a member of the League. Not the-least important result of ‘the meeting is the fact that probably 1000 new members were obtained. These were farmers, not before mem- bers, who showed up at the meetings and could take no part. They took advantage of the opportunity, how- ever, to give their application and fee to some member of the League, who sent it in. Enthusiasm Rampant It is difficult to express in words the spirit and enthusiasm of this sim- . ultaneous gathering of 24,000 farmers. The reports as they came in each seemed to outdo the others in at- tempts to give headquarters some idea of the determination, loyalty, unity and harmony of feeling displayed at each meeting. s Another big result is the character of the men selected in each voting precinct to represent the members in the district conventions. By far the most representative body of .tlllets of the soil ever got together m_»Nox;th Dakota will meet in the legislative conventions as a result of the Febru- ary 22 meetings. In most instances the report of the caucus goes out of its way to express satisfaction with the delegates selected. The men chosen to do the great and important work in-the district conventions are real farmers, neighbors and friends of those who selected them. - They make it plain they realize the sacred trust placed in them by their neigh- bors and they are determined not to violate that trust. What Reports Say Rudolph Wiehr, clerk of the League meeting at Rutland, at which 24 League members were present, writes a typical letter: : “T am glad to be able to state that we voters of Ransom township are sending as good a man as can be found in the state,” he says.: ‘“He owns his own farm and isn’t tied ‘to any bank - or anyone else and has stood up for the League from the very first.. He is a man that can not be bought. ‘We had a splendid precinet meeting and ‘every member is in full accord with - what the Leader advocates and happy to see the daylight ahead.” Though it was not on:the order of ‘ business provided ‘for 'the precinct . meetings, scores of ‘the’ meetings adopted resolutions after “electing their aelegate. The follbwing fg'om_ 1 Holms, N.'D,, is'a sample: .. Back the League . = - “Resolyed, That the work done by ‘the League ,'Sl'idlfl@;-be g»:on‘t»mue_d: gn_d \ H THE NONPARTISAN LEADER of Which There is a Record Takes Place----24,000 to 26,000 Members Assemble to Start First Active Work of Movement That Is Shaking State to Its Foundation : townships, 25 to date reporting delegates elected. Township Held Caucus 3 e RE art of 10 counties of North Dakota in the eastern section. The black square in the center of a township indicates that a precinct caucus was held on February 22 and a League delegate elected. There are over 200 townships shown on the map and all but about 20 so far have reported the election of a delegate. - Districts are Organized Solidly The completeness of the League organization in the leg- islative districts of the state was demonstrated by the pre- cinet and township caucuses held February 22 for the selec- . tion of a delegate to the League’s legislative district conven- tions, at which candidates for the legislature will indorsed. While not all the townships that selected delegates have reported, the compilation so far at headquarters indicates that hundreds of townships had practically every farmer voter at the caucus and that dozens of legislative districts are solidly organized, practically every township reporting the election of a delegate. ; A partial list of the legislative districts in which probably every township will report the election of a delegate to the district convention follows, the missing townships in many cases being known to have held caucuses but not having reported yet: .Third legislative district, being part of Walsh county, 24 townships, 23 reported as electing delegates. Twenty-second legislative district, comprising all of Towner county, 28 townships, 25 reported to date as electing delegates. ; : * . Thirty-second legislative district, comprising all of Foster and Eddy counties, 86 townships, 32 townships reported to date as electing delegates. Thirteen legislative distfict, all of Sargent county, 24 townships, 22-so far reported as electing delegates. Nineteenth legislative. district, all of Rolette county, 25 . townships, 22 so far reported as electing delegates. . Twenty-seventh legislative district, all of Burleigh coun- ty, 47 townships, 40 reported to date as electing delegates. ' Twenty-fourth legislative district, all of LaMoure coun- ‘ty,‘ 32 townships, 29 reported so far as electing delegates. . Seventeenth legis lative district, all of Nelson county, 28 THRER supported to the fullest extent. “Resolved, That the Leader should be read and studied and that all can- didates indorsed by the League be supported by everyone. “Resolved, That every member boost for the League and secure the cooper- ation and support of all non-member neighbors—R. S. Dean, Otto Gensrich and E. E. Neiss, resolution com- mittee.” Paul Williams, reporting the Wal- halla meeting, said: All are Rejoicing “All the members of the League in the precinct were present except one. Most of the voters not now members will line up in time to vote for can- didates indorsed by our convention later on. 'The fact that the plunder- bund is knocking the movement is ample evidence for every farmer to get in this League quickly and declare war and fight—for fight we must, shoulder to shoulder, if anything is chlc(gx:’anished, for the opposition is G. H. Reisdorph, secretary of the meeting in Oxford township, Rolette county, at which 25 League members were present, writes: “At the close of the meeting a large number of farmers gathered in and wanted to join the League. We had a. pleasant visit and every farmer seemed to be delighted to think that better times were coming, when they will all be linked together in one chain for their own interests. Hurrah! HURRAH ! W. J. Richardson, secretary of the meeting at Edmore, says: Elected Best Man “We believe we have elected the best man for the place at a meeting that was attended by all members in the township. Success to the League.” Archie McArthur reports a splendid precinct meeting at Harlow: “We had about 40 members present, but only 33 voted, the rest coming in late. We had one of Crafty’s men here but put him out.” : Says C. H. Lien of the Columbus meeting: “The meeting was full of enthusi- asm. Never have I attended a meet- ing where less selfishness ‘was dis- played. All present seemed to be of one mind and thought, vis.: VIC- TORY for the League. R. W. Craig, reporting the meeting of Island Park township, Ransom county, writes: “We had an excellent meeting. There were 31 present. Perfect har- mony prevailed and you could see the deep determination underlying the move.” - Elected True Farmer Secretary James of the meeting at Turtle Lake reports: “We elected an actual bona-fide farmer as delegate. There were 36 League members present. After this we arc going to get every mother’s son of them out. Everybody thinks the Leader is the best paper they have ever read.” A. H. Reed, reporting the meeting \ at which a delegate was chosen for Balfour township, McHenry county, says: : “There were 22 members present and every one took interest in the meeting. It sure looked good to see the farmers doing something for themselves in the political line, and it is sure time we were doing something for ourselves.” Had Record Crowd C. H. Horsager, reporting the meet- ing at Litchville, says: “We had 23 voters, members of the League, present,which is as many as we generally get at our regular elec- tions in this township.” J. N. Jordan, chairman of the meet- - ing at which a delegate was elected to represent Adrain township, La- Moure county, reports: “We had quite a turnout. I certain- ly was surprised to see such a big . crowd. It seems that everybody takes right hold of everything. Everybody in this township is boost- ing for the League.” Another resolution adopted by one of the meetings follows: “Resolved, By the Beaver Creek membershif) of the Nonpartisan League, Steele county, that we ap- prove of the methods of proceedure . of the directors of the League and appreciate their efforts to put a weapon into the hands of the farmers ° of North Dakota with which they can f_ree themselves if they will.” All Satisfied The following report of the meeting of Primrose township members, Steele county, was sent in by E. A. Erickson: “Everyone was well satisfied with the work of the League and predic- - tions were made that it would be the cause of a general cleanup in state politics.” - i : Albert Peterson, writing of Albert YA (Continued on page 4) |