[3] During this time, the Totten brothers became engrossed in a political battle with a local banker and rancher, James E.

[2] The Tottens' newspaper was critical of the wealthy Phelan, who earned his money through entrepreneurship and working for the railroad.

[6] Totten returned to his old publishing duties and attempted to turn the Bowman Citizen into an organ of reform and a voice for the Nonpartisan League (NPL).

The Tottens were forced to sell the Bowman Citizen, but not before the newspaper published a lengthy article about how they were being squeezed out.

[2] In early 1917, NPL Governor Lynn Frazier appointed Totten to the North Dakota Board of Regents, but his nomination was blocked by the senate.

When they did in July 1917, Frazier again nominated Totten to the board, along with Robert Muir, who was the brother-in-law of NPL leader William Lemke.

The issue of these appointments was presented to the North Dakota Supreme Court, with the NPL majority supporting the governor.

[24] In early 1919, there were rumors, prior to the start of the regular legislative session, that Governor Frazier and the NPL would push to overhaul the state's education system.

The other two members were John N. Hagan, Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor; and Minnie Nielson, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

[30][23][22][3] The supporters of the NPL viewed the creation of the Board of Administration as a way for the state to increase efficiency and save money through the consolidation.

[33][34][35][32][2] Totten, already a controversial figure because of his liberal views and libel lawsuits and openly branded a socialist by his opponents,[4][18][34] was named chair of the board.

[36] As chair, the controversies surrounding him continued: In October 1921, the NPL's opposition, the Independent Voters Association (IVA), struck a blow by initiating a special election that successfully recalled Lynn Frazier (Governor), William Lemke (Attorney General), and John N. Hagan (Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor).

[46][47][48] In early February 1922, recently elected Governor R. A. Nestos, a member of the IVA, demanded Totten's resignation from the Board of Administration on charges of misconduct and incompetency.

[49] Initially, it was reported that Totten would refuse to quit, but he ultimately complied with the governor's request within two weeks.

[53][54][55] He became involved in the political infighting plaguing the NPL and was fired as business manager of the newspaper in July 1921.

Liederbach and his NPL followers, blaming the incident on disgruntled employees, confiscated 4,000 to 5,000 copies of the paper and burned them.

In 1916, Phelan had his own choice to serve as postmaster of Bowman, but Lillian Totten was awarded the job.

[2][11] Phelan used his remaining influence to attack the Tottens, especially Edward and Lillian, for their connection to Kate Richards O'Hare, activist and orator for the Socialist Party.

The Attorney General's Office was already aware of O'Hare because, around this same time, the Insurance Federation of North Dakota had written to U.S.

[70][11][2] McCumber took to the floor of the Senate, and boldly stated there were "copperheads and traitors" in Bowman seeking to undermine the government.

[11][71] Top NPL officials, Governor Lynn J. Frazier and Attorney General William Langer, defended the Tottens, claiming the charges from McCumber were purely political.

A bench warrant was issued and O'Hare was arrested by U. S. Deputy Marshal C. R. Wattles in Devils Lake before she could give her lecture.

[72][11] The O'Hare case began in early December 1917 in Bismarck with Judge Martin Wade of Davenport, Iowa, presiding.

After several witnesses, including the Tottens, testified over a couple of days, the jury found O'Hare guilty of violating the Espionage Act of 1917.