Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-18
DR.. j. Fl. Murphy,

Republican candidate is nominated shall
vote for him.
DR.. j. FL. Murphy,
in the course of an informal conversation
said St. Paul was, in all reason, entitled to
as much representation in the nominating,
convention as Minneapolis, but it was plain
the latter was bound to beat DR.. Stewart.
Fletcher was tricky little cuss, and he
would get slipped up on one of these days.
IN MINNEAPOLIS.
In Minneapolis, yesterday the principal
topic of conversation, among those in any
manner interested in politics, was the meeting
of the Republican third congressional district
committee on Thursday, and the result there
OF. While the Democrats were of the opinion
that Mr.. L. Fletcher had been putting up a
job on DR.. Stewart the Republicans were
equally positive in their assertions that such
was not the case and that the. whole matter
was just and would meet their approval. In
order to learn, as near as possible,
the exact state Of public opinion
in the matter, the GLOBE missionary, armed
with the requisite paraphernalia, started forth
upon pilgrimage that resulted in eliciting the
following facts: In the first place.
Hon. l.. Fletcher
was found and although quite busy granted
the reporter the desired interview.
Reporter-Mr. Fletcher, it has been intimat
ed that in your call Of the meeting of yesterday,
and the business transacted on that occasion.
you were not acting fairly towards Doctor
Stewart, and had secretly hurried the commit
tee meeting through; had the time for
the next convention set at an
early day; and place Of meeting in this city.
and in SO doing have endeavored to sully the
outset OF political campaign, which it had
been hoped would have been a square and
manly one. What have you to say in reply to
these charges?
Mr.. Fletcher can only say that the charges
are unjust and | think made without any suf-
flclent provocation In issuing the call I only
did my duty as secretary; and, as for taking
any extraordinary pains to surround the meet
ing with secrecy, or in any manner attempting
to carry on the proceedings in stealthy man
ner, it is all bosh.
Rep.-But MI. Fletcher how long ago
did you issue the call-was there time enough
for it to have become public before Thursday !?
MIR. F.-Certainly; written notices were
about ten days ago, and in response to the cali
every member of the committee was in attend
ance at the meeting and participated in the
proceedings. There was nothing in the whole
transaction tending towards taking an unfair
advantage of DR.. Stewart. Everything brought
before the committee was thoroughly
canvassed and all decisions were made upon the
considerations Of convenience and precedent
which commend themselves to every fair-mind-
ed man, and when the action is considered in
candid and unbiased manner little, if any,
exceptions can be found worthy of note.
Rep.-How about the early date of the
call for the convention. Why set the time as
early as July 10th?
Mr.. F.-Simply because at that time
there can be a more general attendance. The
harvest will be a week or ten days earlier than
usual, and July is about the only month
when the farmers are not busily engaged in
their duties necessarily demanding constant
attention. DR.. Stewards friends are engaged in
working for him, and there certainly ought to
be sufficient time for him.
R.-Why did you desire that the meet
ing should be held at Minneapolis?
Mr. FL suggested Minneapolis because
thought it the most convenient point,
and Justly belonging to the city. Four years
ago the convention was held here-the first
district convention held in the city; two years
ago it was held in st. Paul; and at that time it
was understood that the next convention should
DC held at Minneapolis. The circumstances
are precisely similar to those of two years ago
Wnen LII. Butler was q candidate from Mime
apolls, and DR.. Stewart from st. Paul Then
Stewards own friends who constituted a majority
decided upon holding the convention in St.
Paul. Is this any more unfair? As for taking
the convention outsof the city because of the
liability of any local pressure and jealousies
there is not the least reason for so doing any
more than heretofore Precedent has been es-
tabhshed that itshould be either here or in st.
Paul, and, as turn about is fair play, why, Min
neapolis is justly entitled to the convention
this time.
Rep.-How about the basis of representa-
ton. Why take the vote of 1875, instead of
1877, as the basis?
MIR. F.-This basis was chosen as it was
considered that the vote cast for Hayes was the
more general, and from precedent unqualifedly
the only proper one to accept There were NO
local questions pertaining to the Legislative
tickets to disturb the full party strength any
where in the district at that time and it was
thought best to adopt that basis.
MIR. Fletcher having given all the information
he could upon the subject, and expressed his
opinion that'he had performed the duties de-
volvlng upon him in a conscientious manner.
believing the Republican party would sanction
his action, the reporter took his departure.
Other GniniOnc