Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-09-29

For an inside view Of th. Pierre con-
vention, Alex. Mckenzie, the retlcent,
was sought. In answer to: "What was
the status at the opening OF the Pierre
convention y" he replied: "Weli, when
the convention met it was Raymond
against the field with formidable array
of opposing candidates, embracing Mel.
lette, Shannon and Laird, from central
Dakota; Judge Clifford from southern
Dakota, and DR.. Bentley from northern
Dakota
paign?"
"Nickeus, of jamestown, Tumey, oi
Fargo. Root and Davis, of Valley City,
Col. King, of Chamberlain, all directed
by Raymond in person."
"What, was Raymond delegate to
the convention, as we'll as delegate in
coneress?"
Eyes, he directed the work from the
outside until the sixth ballot, when he
appeared on the floor of the convention
and was as active as any of us"
"Hov was Raymond's campaign man.
"The result shows for ITSELF"
"Who had the management of Gifford'e
campaign"
"K. F. Pettigrew, E. W. Caldwell. oi
Sioux Falls, and the Canton delegation;
and it was admirably directed"
"Is there any truth in the rumor that
Pettigrew really was in favor of Mel
lette?"
"No. Pettigrew was for Clifford, first,
last, and all the time"
Gould Judge Clifford have been nom-
mated without Pettigrew's support?."
"No; nor could any other man in the
field"
"Who managed Mellette's canvass?"
"McCoy, johnson, Eddy, and his home
delegation. Mellette went away from
Pierre good deal stronger man politi.
cally than when lie went there
allow was Shannon's camnaien
managed, and by whom?"
Admirably. by Davis, of Huron, and
his home delegation generally"
"And BeDtley's boom?"
"By the Burleigh county delegation.
But Bentley is too conscientious for q
politician"
"By the way, what become of the Mo.
Masters boom; was it lost in the bliz.
zard?"
"McMasters' interests were looked
after by Judge Moody, who made the
speech of the convention in presenting
his name. This canvass was conducted
very modestly. No pleading for votes
was INDUCED in. McMasters' said he
did not seek the nomination but would
accept if the people wanted his services.
His campaign was conducted on patriotic
principles throughout"
"How did Walsh's name come before
the convention when his delegation was
instructed for Raymond?
"By the opposition, for the purpose OF
breaking the Raymond line and against
the protests of MIR. Walsh. Had he
come out as candidate at the critical
moment he might have been nominated,
provided the Raymond forces had fallen
promptly into line. In that event north
Dakota could have controlled the nomi-
nation"
"What do you know about the organi-
zation OF the territorial central commit
tee?"
"It was organized on the train be-
tween Pierre and Huron Yesterday by
tho election of A. @. Mellette, chairman,
John Van Duzen, treasurer and DR. Rey.
nolds, secretary"
"Who controls the committee?"
"lt is Pettigrew committee through
out"
"How did it happen that Mellette was
made chairman, wien Pettlgrew opposed
his nomination as delegate,i if Pettigrew
the commlttee?"
"Simply because of his eminent fitness
for the place and, perhaps, in a measure,
ont OF political courtesy, on account OF
the strength he developed in the con.
veDtion for delegate"
"Dld the committee take any other
action than the election of officers ?"
"They also adopted resolution pro-
vidlng that in the case of the division of
the territory at the ensuing session of
congress. the members of the committee
elect,north Of the 46th parallel, shall con.
stitute the committee for north Dakota,
and empowering Major Edwards to cali
the committee formally together in such
".Then it would be still an ant. Ray.
mond committee?"
"You may answer that question your
SELF"
"Will the democrats put a candidate
in the field2"
"That is leading, improper, irrelevant
and immsterial. as the lawyers say"
tartly replied the Dakota boss rs he re-
lapsed into silence and strode away. /
The Dakota delegates take their flight
north with other birds OF passage to