Page:North Dakota Reports (vol. 48).pdf/308

This page needs to be proofread.
284
48 NORTH DAKOTA REPORTS

“LANGER WANTS CONTROL.

“It became clear early in the referendum campaign that two factions were seeking control of the I. V. A. One was headed by Attorney General Langer and the other by President Iverson. Langer visited heads of Minneapolis and St. Paul corporations that are financing the I. V. A. early this year and demanded that he be made custodian of the slush funds that were expected in North Dakota. His record was against him and these gentlemen turned him down, though politely. Because of this Langer is sore, it was said yesterday, and is attempting to build up a machine of his own.” 179 N. W. 915.

The case having come before this court on a general demurrer to the complaint, three of the judges sustained the complaint because of its untrue innuendoes and two judges held that the complaint does not state a cause of action. That was in October, 1920. When the case was remanded defendants offered to serve an answer, which was unjustly refused and was not admitted until after a fight of several months. Now as the appeal was manifestly taken in good faith, the answer should have been received or allowed as a matter of course and without any conditions. Then a motion was made to change the place of trial from Cass county and Judge Cole made an order that the place of trial be changed to Richland county on this condition: “This order is subject to a further hearing on good cause shown therefor.” The good cause was shown and Judge Cole made an order that plaintiff show cause why the place of trial should not be changed from Richland county, but in the meantime the papers had been sent to Richland county, and, in his turn, Judge Allen made an order to show cause why the order made by Judge Cole should not be vacated. Then, on July 14, 1921, defendants duly moved Judge Allen for an order changing the place of trial. The motion was strenuously opposed and it was denied. Then, on June 21, 1921, defendants duly appealed to the Supreme Court and on a stay bond for $2,000 requested Judge Allen to grant a stay pending the appeal. Objection was made to the hearing for want of a sufficient notice of motion. A proper notice was at once prepared and served, but as the case was on the calendar of the trial court and on the peremptory call, and as the stay was bitterly opposed, defendants became fearful of delay and rushing to this court obtained an order to show cause, with a stay pending the motion. Instead of courteously assenting to the motion, it was opposed with the greatest bitterness, as if counsel had some hope of forcing the