THE STORY OF THE NONPARTISAN LEAGUE 



rather disconcerted to hear Judge Amidon 

 negative their petition on these grounds: 



First, that they had no jurisdiction because none of 

 the taxpayers had been injured by these laws; and, 

 second, that even if they had jurisdiction they had no 

 case on its merits. 



Thereupon the case was appealed by the 

 forty-two (or their counsel) to the Supreme 

 Court at Washington, thus insuring more 

 argument, more hearings, and indefinite de- 

 lay. For by such diflScult and tortuous ways 

 do we proceed to determine whether the people 

 of North Dakota may properly have the alter- 

 ations in their own business affairs for which 

 they have four times voted. 



5. State court proceedings. A similar suit 

 brought in the state courts to determine the 

 constitutionality of the acts relating to the 

 Industrial Commission, the Bank of North 

 Dakota, the bank bonds, the real-estate bonds, 

 the North Dakota Mill and Elevator Associa- 

 tion, the mill and elevator bonds, the Home 

 Building Association, and the Soldiers' Com- 

 pensation Act, was decided by the state su- 

 preme court in the League's favor. 



In spite of the obstacles of so many court 

 actions the state administration proceeded, 

 so far as it was able, to carry out the will of 

 the majority of the people. It began, as soon 

 as the referendum returns were announced, 

 to draw its plans for three great flour-mills 



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