The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, July 6, 1916, Page 8

, mournful . oppressive. All ‘THE GRAFTER’S FATE By George Lytle There’s a League in North Dakota, Got up by the farmers' crew, - And we're goin’ to stand’ behind it And see the dern thing through, The parasites and grafters Have: had us by the throat; We let ‘em take our vest But, by gosh, they took our coat. We knelt down at their altar And we worshipped at their shrines They thought they had us going So they worked us overtime. And by gosh they got us riled up, And they better look out now, For we're out upon the warpath And we're looking for a row. We'll .clean up North Dakota And we'll bury graft so deep ‘There’ll be no show for grafters To rest their weary feet. Sad Sad News for Crafty & Co ELL, by Gad, they stuck!” exclaimed Crafty with a sigh, as he sank into his big chair, laid his hat - on the table and relighted his cigar. “I never doubted it from the first,” remarked Slipry, looking up from & bundle of telegrams. “I told you all the time that there was no use to buck “that organization.” Crafty looked' sad, dejected and almost pathetic. Never had the big boss's headquarters presented such a appearance. ~ Since early statehood his headduarters at - election times- had -always been the scene of muchhilarity, revelry and celebration. Always it had been jammed with victorious politicians, pie hunters and spoilers of every color and complexion. Always there was the pop of the cork, ‘the gurgle of liquor and the steady hum of animated conversation and all envel- oped in a cloud of tobacco smoke. But ‘upon -this sad, and forlom occasion things were different. All was quiet. The atmosphere was stifling, candidates, ~excepting the League candidates, were at their homes. with ice packs.on their heads and maling frequent connections with the smelling salts. Crafty and a few of his - trusted side kickers had tarried at head- to receive the returns. When the early returns were reported -there < was some animation manifested. The early returns werg from the larger towns .and qnost of these showed sub- stantial majorities for the gang candi- dates. Blind: ;to the possibilities of defeat, 85 the gang always is, they had taken this as a sample of what the rural districts would do. But they had reckoned ; wrongly. Towards morning long distance phone messages ‘from the country precincts began to pour in. A little later these messages became a veritable stream and then rTose to.a flood-tide. And then it was that all the idates: who 'had not gone home, quietly left the headquarters and those ‘who had gone home left their receivers down 50 as not to be disturbed by flu How Benson County Worked Together to:Help in Winning the Great Victory.for 0od Government in: North Dakota BY THE WAY . Hurrah! Tney stuck—the six-dollar suckers and the nine-dollar suckers, too! Somebody got stuck.. Was it Big Biz this time? Did somebody say “Slop the hogs,” or was it “Stick the hogs” Anyway, there'll be a few less hogs in the state trough when the suckers get through. On to Bismarck. It was a stormy day. But we expected a flood. Also an avalanche, And it came, The lightning struck. So did the farmers. The sky was black. It was a dark A record-breaker among the picnic meetings held prior to the primary election by the Nonpartisan League was: that at Maddock, Benson county, on Saturday, June 17. This picnic was addressed by Lynn J. Frazier, League candidate for governor. It was attended by a throng estimated at 6000 persons. They came from great distanc Maddock. One farmer drove forty miles with a team to attend. This picture was taken by the Johnson studios of $1 each. Not a Bit of Joy in Election Returns Until Funny Old Flipflop Sends Report By DIC T. GRAPH slumber but sleep had fled from him like a Ford car going to unorganized terri- tory. For several hours the big. boss had tossed.from side to_side: of his bed and muttered and babbled the few moments that he: was half-asleep: like a man in adelirium, Other members of the_ night - watch, still hoping against hope, had napped between telephone rings, on the.couches and in the big chairs, at Crafty's headquarters. It was ten o'clock next -day. when Crafty came ir. and after glancing over a pile of telegrams that lay on-the:table, made the remark recorded -above. After . a _few - moments’ silence he added, “What worries me now, is, how long they're goin’ to stick.” “They'll stick till the big show .in November is over with,” replied Dodger, without turning .~ his_head. - Crafty- looked at him sullenly. “I don't believe it,” he exclaimed, emphatically, while a new light of hope shone ‘in his'bleared eyes. “You wait till we. get that ‘Good Government league’ a goin’. That'll “Fix ~ ‘em,” repeated Slipry, mock- ingly. “That won't fix nothin’, Crafty. That thing won’t get to first base.”. “Why in thunder won't it?” asked Crafty in amazement. “Because it was started at the wrong time; by the wrong people and because every farmer in the state knowed all about it long before. ‘now. It ain't going to do no good to get a few bank- ers, a few insurance men and a few rich guys organized. You've got to git the farmers an’ they won't have nothin’ to do’with that thing now.” HE'S A BLOOMIN’ AMATEUR; HEAVE HIM OVERBOARD “Well, they may be somethin’ to: that, especially since that blankety blank, blank: Dr. Guilty took a hand in it. I'm goin’ to have to chuck that bloomin’ he wore ‘“knee pnnts Hoople for 35 years. too. ‘PIONEER PRAISES FRAZIER 9z A tribute to. Lynn J. Frazier from a neighbor who has known him since ‘was expressed ‘the other day by J. H. Paulson of ‘Hoople, a ‘fellow' pioneer of Mr. Frazier's father. Mr. Paulson has lived at “It’s been @ long time shice T thought'I would like'to tell'you what T Inow about Lynn,” he said in the Leadér office. “But this is the first time I - have had such a chance. I have known Lynti ever sirice he wasso higlh. He is honest and true, He will make a worthy governor, “When 1 first knew him he'was'a small boy. ‘He was always liked by the boys, was great for baseball and such things, and everywhere he went he was always welcome. Between times when he was going to school he used to work on'the farm. That’s where I knew most about him. He was a farmer even then, and he has always been a farmer and worked hard and got an education amateur overboard. He has balled up everything he has took a hand since this “thing - started. In the first place he plunges in to everything heels over head without measurin’ the' water an’ in the second place all he can say is to yell, “Carpetbagger! deadbeat Socialist!!!? That -don’t get &' man nowhere,. We've got to get facts an’ . put up sound arguments. All this—" “Facts, facts,- facts” . exclaimed Slipry, “what kind of facts do you mean ?” : “I mean facts about that farmers’ organization, facts about the leaders an’ the ‘organizers.” Slipry guffawed right in Crafty’s face. “Craft, you talk like a crazy man. The insanity commission ought to take charge of you. There aint mo facts that'll hurt them leaders or organizers. Aint we spent a barrel o’ money tracin’ down the past records of all them guys and aint . we failed to iind @ thing against "em? Tl tell you, as far as I can find out that's a pretty clean bunch of men. Better than the average, at the most.” : Crafty lapsed into silence and Dodger had gone to sleep and nearly fell out of his_chair. Slipry took up the. telephone and asked for 28 green. There was a moment’s silence and then he heard the Teceiver at the other end come down. “Hello-Flipflop, is that you?” - (Pause.) “How're you runnin’, Flip?” (Pause:) “Haw, haw, .haw,” roared Slipry. “That blank fool says he nearly carried his home precinct and he thinks there’s a chance for him to win out yet. Of all the idiots that was ever allowed to run loose that guy takes the dilapidated linen off the shrubbery. He don’t know when he’s runnin’ to say nothin’ of not knowin’ when he's beat.” : Suddenly” Crafty sat up with a start, “Everything he has ever done is aboveboard. He has made & success in ‘Tis. business, and they have elécted him on the school board'and-the township boud, and 1 never heard anyone find any fault with him or say anything bad m. They have reelocted him to the school board and the township bolrd, and they like him better now:than when thiey first put him in office. I waat to ssy (st the peopl of North Dakota onght o t0 Tiss this chancs to plw llim Aacross. evaryonc e is worthy of the office.” “Well,” he said, slowly, “we was canght nappin’ this time and 1 admit slipped one over on us: But I'm‘here to tell you its a long time till:November seventh, yet. Them farmers-will:think they have the thing sewed up in & cask an’ the organizers and speakers'll quit the country an’ before the-final eléction the members'll forgit there ever was a Nonpartisan League. In: the:mieantime we'll work on_the quiet, stay under cover, kill off Dr.. Guilty and work up an organization that will turn our com- bined strength to all candidates on tho Democratic ticket an’ beat the tar outem that bunch after all. It can be done, I'm sure. All we need to o is to go at it the right way an’ we're goin’ at it the right way this time or not at all” “Dreamin’ again?” commented Slipry. Crafty did not turn his. head. “Let me make a mggetion, Crafty,” ‘continued Slipry. “You better take vacation, astng, ahont Sean: Therol be nothin’ for you to do:before then.” The telephone rang and Slipry- took down the receiver. “Hello,” he said. 'CRAFTY PREPARES FOR AN UNPLEASANT MISSION After a pause he. pushed the phone. over to Crafty with the remark that there was a long distance call from « Paint Saul. Crafty started and a painful expres- sion passed over his face.- He: placed * the receiver to his ear, put his lips close to the transmitter and in a vaice which strove to be firm, said, “Hello.”” “Yes,” he said as face_ paled, visibly, as. he recognized his. master's oice. Slipry winked nt Dodger. “1 guess that's right—at least accond~ ing to early returns,” said the:big boss, growing more nervous. - “All right, Tl be down right’ away” he said and hung up the receiver He leaned back in his chair Ind bit his w“ilk'hx lips. “Think you'll take that v-ufim. Craft,” teased Slipry. “Will you please. go. to—to—to—get out of here,” roared Craffy. : Slipry had arose and Was soon out, the door. Cnlty looked af his watch next train,’ : i ¢ * in, finishing . last six weeks, dur a large number coming from outside the county. ewaukan, Maddock and Oheron. One farmer’s auto-meter showed 54 miles traveled in-reaching Enlarged copies of it may be had from the Johnson studio at Minnewaukan for day—for Big Biz. We should worry. The next day the heavens smiled—and so0 did we. Froggy Smith also ran—don’t forget at. On to Bismarck. Tour of Triumph Before Vote HATEVER may be the atti- tude of -the newspapers and - certain business firms and politicians of Fargo towards the farmers’ organization. and candi- dates, the people of Fargo, its citizenry, gave Lynn J. Frazier and other candi- dates = indorsed by _the Nonpartisan feague & hearty welcome last Tuesday evening, on the eve of the primaries. - The Northiern Pacific station platform was crowded with 300 Fargo - people when ‘the Frazier specinal train pulled its ‘tour of the state Tuesday evening. Frazier was greeted by a band. Before '8 o'clock, the time set ‘for the open-air. .speaking, the street in‘front of the Gardner hotel was packed with. more . than 1000 people, ‘with automobiles parked for-a block in evety di 1t ‘was a-bigger crowd than turned out a few days before to hear Burdick,” although Burdick: had. the wspapers \with him and. his. meeting ~was better advertised Lhm\ that of the farmers' candidate. - Whieii ‘MY, Frazier mounted the plat- form in'front of the Gardner hotel he was received with an_ ovation. crowd was practically all of Fargo people and. they knew of Mr. Frazier and the farmers’ organization backing him_practically only- through the two Fargo daily newspapers,” which were Both - hostile to the candidate. That they should have turned out in such numbers ~and listened: for over - two hour to an explanation of ‘the League platform s ' testimony that the great mass: of Fargo citizens are right and fair at heart, despite’ the impression of Fargo which the 40,000 members of the' Teague . throughout the state have obtained through the Fargo newspapers and those Fargo business firms that have chosen to fight the farmers and their interests. FRAZIER AT HIS BEST BEFORE FARGO AUDIENCE Mr. Frazler, who had just_finished the special train tour, during which he delivered nearly 150 speeches to. probably 20,000~ people, appeared st his best, capils' '\t Terrih tost hip. voics' soa constitution had been put to during the which_time. he spoke at ‘somé meeting almost every day in the most strenuous campaign the state ‘hag’ ever ‘seen. 'The’ hearty greet- ing of the big crowd and its attitude of careful attention to learn What it could - of the great’ movement -of ‘the’ common . people; inspired: Mr.. Frazier -to.do- his - Beee aid, v great crow showed: that it was -much both with Mr. Prazier as - with. the: cause-he represented: The Frasier speech was not long. and it was. straightforward, without flourishes or oratory, - It was the appeal of an educated, substantial farmer, ‘earnestly in a fight for. the common people’ against the politicians ‘and the corrupting influence of Big' Business It gave a clear-cut, straight-from-the- cause, shoulder impression of the farmers’ and ; welcome of M FrazierJoyously Welcomed by Towns; Fargo Votes Gained by Able Address by the rank and file of Fargo’s popula- tion was a surprise to'political observ- ers, for the belief prevailed that the hostile attitude of Fargo’s papers and- certain of its . influential business men and- politicians -had perverted the view of the people and that they ‘would not even turn out:to hear the other. side of the question. R. H. Grace, indorsed by the' League for’ the supreme court, made a short talk ‘before’ Mr. Frazier and the candi- date “for governor was followed by James Manahan, attorney and leader of the Equity society. MANAHAN Pl(fl‘U'RES FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPT INTERESTS Mr. Manshan is. a finished speaker a great fund of facts to draw from and a way of making points that brings. them home to his hearers. He made an extended address of ovér an hour “The* and a quarter, but held the crowd throughout. He brought forth great waves of. applause and cheering as he pictured the: great_and perpetual fight of the common people against special interests .and _corrupt _politicians. His, explanation of the League’s platform and what it meant to city people as well as to farmers set hundreds of Fargo people to thinking. The humorous side of Mr. Manahan’s, address was the glee with which the crowd received - Mr. Manahan’s joki Ing reference to the Fargo Daily Courier- News, which has been engaged in a: campaign of ~misrepresentations and slander against the farmers’ organiza- tion, its leaders and candidates. One gained the impression that the Courier- News fight in this campaign against the farmers and their interests, and its attempt to line up the Fargo business men as a class against the farmers, was held as a good joke by the rank and file of Fargo people, who have learned to Jamait oot before: belicving. saything the ‘Courier-News prin Friends of ‘the Lugus who live in Fargo have done their ‘best to- counter- aict the impression that has gotten out over the state that Fargo is against the farmers, the greatest and. most substantial - class of North - Dakota. They have pointed out that the. Courier- News does not reflect-the attitude of, the city as.a whole to the farmers’ cause,., nor does the attitude of -those. bus- iness houses that have chosen to send. “out letters attempting. to! discredit. the . farmers’ organization. But Frasier's reception in Fargo, the applause, cheer- ing and careful attention he received from ' this big Fargo andience has done more than ‘anything else! to counteract bad impression of this city certain " its. unpatriotic citizens and news- papers have caused to spread among the farmers. Afterflmedlyntpmtinvhamx . towns slonthe Crebt Northern long mp through uunum to Teach the Northern Pacific, the Frazier for governor special was again -welcomed by 350 North Dakota farmers at Beach at 4 p. m. Sunday, June 25. The business men of Beach got -out the band, and.despite: the counter pulling power . of -a baseball : game~ and a, chautauqua at the ‘same hour; the Frazier train drew double the audience that- had said ‘goodbye to ‘the Burdick special two days -before. The weather was fine upon both occasions, but the farmers did not turn out to meet Mr. Burdick’s “train. The speaking was in the-grand stand in both instances. The Fraier ~special ~started ~ from Beach upon its home run Monday morn- ing at 7 o'clock and stopped -at -every station. between Beach and Fargo, at nearly_all of which audiences ranging from a few dozen to several hundred were on the platform to shout a wel- come. The cordiality of the welcome to the Frazier train was in marked con- trast to the indifference shown to Mr. Burdick’s. train. At most places the ¢rowds were much larger, and as the train traveled east- ward - the enthusiasm grew, until from Bismarck to' Fargo the trip was well nigh an ‘ovation. At many places the people were voicing hurrahs as the train stopped, and in no instances were there any people from the train mingling with the audiences to start applause. When- ...farmer’s . paper, politicall The Leader Reaches More North Dakota Farm Homes Than All Other. Papers Combined. Brings Greatest Results to Advemsers ever applause was given for things said by the speakers it was noticed that it. came from brown faced farmers in working clothes. COMPARISON OF AUDIENCES - FOR TWO CANDIDATES A representative of the Leader traveled the entire distance from Fargo to Beach with both trains, going with Burdick and returning with Fra- sier. He attended every meeting. held either from the train, in halls or on the streets. The weather was neatly the same for both trips, pleasant west of the Missouri_and rainy from the. Mis- souri to the Red, and with the roads in the eastern part of ‘the state hard to travel because of racent rains in both instances. Some comparisons of ‘the audiences that met the two trains are given here- with: At Belfield, Frazier 150, Burdick 85; Almont, Frazier 70, Burdick 20; Judson;” Frazier 75, Burdick 11; Glad- stone, ~Frazier 50, Burdick six; Bis- ‘marck, Frazier 700, Burdick 500; James- town, Frazier 500, Burdick 250 includ- ing his own band and train boosters; Valley City, Frazier 400, Burdick 250 including his own band and train boost- ers; Spiritwood, Frazier 175, Burdick 40. - At many places the size of the aud- iénces was about “the same, but the interest in what was said was in no place approved by shouts or comments when Mr. Burdick’s train passed through, although there were eager and (Continued on page 13). 90000000000000000000000000000000000000000s00 Do Business With the North | Dakota Farmers by Adver- tising in the Farmers’ Great Paper, the Leader - The result getting-qualities of -The Nonpartisan T Leader appeal to successful business men. The Leader gives them opportunity each week fo talk directly to more than 40,000 North Dakota farmers -and their families. carefully and thoroughly read, because it is the. expressing = his’ fostering - his- interests, both econoxmcally and Its columns are ideas and