St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-24
From A,.o.he,. Correspondent.
Ispecial Telegram 70 the Globe. |

From A1lother Correspondent.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.
HURON, D. T., April 23.-This city has
been the scene to-day of one of the hottest
political contests ever known in the terri
tory of Dakota. The meeting of the conven-
ton was set for 2 O'Clock, but the delegates
took early breakfasts, and by O'Clock the
Hobbies of the hotels at which the different
headquarters had been located, were crowded
with excited delegates and hangers on of the
convention. At 10 O'Clock the delegates
representing north Dakota, to the number of
eighty-one met in caucus in an empty store
building. Resolutions were adopted binding
the caucus to vote as unit. 1t was then au-
nounced that caucus of Blaine delegates
from the southern part of the territory was
in session in another part of the city
and that its members were anxious to form
a combination with the delegates from north
ern Dakota to elect pronounced Blaine advo-
Gates to Chicago. A committee was APP
pointed to invite the Blaine caucus to enter
the caucus OF north Dakotians. The
invitation was accepted, and few moments
later joint caucus was organized. On
roll call of counties showed north Dakota to
be represented by eighty-two votes, and
south Dakota by sixty-five, giving total of
147, or majority OF eighty-two. The result
was hailed with applause. Mr.. Steele moved
that the caucus cast its united vote in the
convention for Hon. n. E. Nelson, of
pembina, and Col, Jolly, of Lincoln, as
regular delegates and for Byron E. Pay, of
Bookings, and Robert Walsh, Grand Forks,
as alternates. The motion received unani-
nous support.
Pettigrew's forces were demoralized, but
under admirable leadership they went to
work earnestly by means of contests to break
the force of the combination, and with some
degree of success. Another plan of Petit
grew was to seize the organization after the
manner of Nelson at Detroit in the Fifth dis
trict
In the absence of Wells, chairman of the
Republican territorial committee, it devolved
upon Major Edwards, as secretary, to call
the convention to order. The new Methodist
church, where the convention is held, was
packed with delegates and spectators, and
precisely at three o'clock, as Mr.. Edwards
was mounting the platform, Mr.. Carlisle, of
Sioux Falls, jumped upon the platform,
called for order, and commenced to read the
call. Meantime, Edwards had also mounted
the platform. and dispensing with the read
ing of the call, asked for the nomination of a
temporary chairman. Carlisle followed suit
and amid pandemonium of noises, double
temporary organization of chairmen and
secretaries was effected.
At this point in the proceedings, Chairman
Scoville, who represented the Blaine combi-
nation, took advantage of the lull to invite
the pastor Of the church, who was present, to
make prayer. The scene was remarkable
one. The reverend gentleman evidently
believed the convention needed praying for,
as his words were earnest and stilled the mob
of excited men. At the close of the prayer
Scoville secured attention and made state
ment of his case, claiming to be the rightful
secretary. Edwards followed, producing a
telegram announcing that the chairman
could not be present and asking him, ed
munds) to call the convention to order. The
two temporary chairmen then made speeches
of a conciliatory character, and it was finally
decided, whether in answer to
prayer or from returning reason, the
reader is left to infer, to leave
to O vote of the convention the choice be-
tween chairmen. The result showed that eff
fective work had been done by Pettigrew's
force, as John King, of Chamberlain, Petit
grew candidate, was declared elected by a
majority of fifteen votes. The convention
then proceeded to business, a committee of
fifteen being appointed on credentials and
seven on permanent organization. After
some time spent in desultory work, the com
mittee not being ready to report, a recess
was taken until o'clock.
The hour of seven having arrived the con-
vention was called to order, but the commit
tee on credentials not being ready to report
a recess was taken.
The sessions of the committee were held
on an open platform, as there were no ante
rooms, and the proceedings were watched
with much interest. The first contest taken
in hand was that of Grand Forks, and what
is known as the Winship delegation was final
" admitted. The Winship delegates were
elected in the interest of Raymond, but there
is no question but that the price paid for the
settlement of the contest in their favor was a
pledge to act with Pettigrew. The other con-
tests so far have all been
decided in favor of the Pettigrew
combination, and the assertion is openly
made that the same disposition win be made
in every case, regardless of right of deem
cy.
At 10 o'clock, the committee on creden-
tails were not yet ready to report, and pres
ent indications are that little or nothing will
| be done tonight
The committe on permanent organization
is awaiting an opportunity to make double
report, the majority in favor of making the
temporary the permanent organization, and
| the minority in favor of making Col. w. c..
Plummer, of the Fargo Republican, chair
man.
| Indications at this hour are that the Petit
grew combination will win on every point,
though it is barely possible that some combi-
nation may yet be made to defeat them.
The course of some of the delegates from
| North Dakota who have heretofore been iden-
tilted with Raymonds interests, is surprise,
and as the matter now stands the latter is a
badly used up statesman. Pettigrew is lead
ing the fight in person, and his followers are
| in high feather.