St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-03
GIL HAS A TRUST.
Barker Gave 1t to Him, and He
Can't Let Go Unless Barker
Consents.
He Finds All But Three Counties Har-
mOniOus and Ready to Rally
for Gil.
A Committee Meeting that Was to Upset
Things Gets Upset Itself

placed j. B. Gilfilan in the field as a candi-
date for Congress, having refused to appoint
a district committee upon the presumption
that the action of the convention was irreg-
ular and Illegal, the old committee held a
meeting in the parlors OF the Nicollet
house yesterday. The session was alb
solutely without happy results to
the 'skicking'' faction of the party, which
has for its ring leaders Fletcher, Langdon,
Washburn, Benton, Petit ct al. As it was
predicted, the primary object of the meeting
was to induce Gilfillan to 'fly' the track in
favor of Fletcher, us well as to ascertain
whether or not it was within the province of
the old committee to take action, since their
appointment had become outdated. In the
latter alone they succeeded.
Mr.. Gilfillan had been invited to be pres
ent, and to make any statement he felt in
clined to submit for the consideration of the
committee.
IN SESSION.
At 2;45 C. HAPettit called the meeting to
order and cx Mined that as Major Camp had
refused to appoint new committee, he had
decided to call the old committee together to
talk over the situation.
Gen. McLaren stated that it had been
maintained by some that the proper thing
would be for the state committee TO appoint
a new district committee, but he disspproved
of the plan. The district committee would
have no right to elect Il county committee,
and the state had no right to appoint dis
trict committee.
Judge Rea held that no one questioned the
legality of the appointment of the Old com
mittee, and he believed the old committee
should properly remain in power until the
new one had been appointed.
Mr.. McGill inquired if Major Carp had
given notice that he would not appoint
new committee.
Mr.. Pettit-''He told me so himself
Mr.. McGill-''As record think it should
be in writing. The1 it would be justifica-
ton for going ahead. If the chairman of
the convention declines to appoint COM
mittec, and thinks the old one is still in ex-
istence 1t seems to me, that that settles it,
Mr., 8arden was of the opinion that the
chairmen should have addressed a note to
the committee. He didn't care to 90 into
discussion of the convention, and believed
it unnecessary.
Mr.. Warner, of Wright county, did not
question the existence of the old committee.
He favored going ahead and taking action.
Ma. Barden to Gen. McLaren, Son what
grounds does the state committee propose to
interfere!"
Con NcT arnp-EI cop foil
Mr.. Butts They propose to do what is
right in the matter.'
Mr.. Barden-''They seem combatatve 1t
looks as though they were bound to fight, and
want some one % knock chip off their
shoulder"
F. L. Smith, who was present as Charley
Johnson's proxy, did not question the life
and rights of the convention. The chair
man of the committee had been officially
notified that the chairman of the convention
would not make an appointment.
A rambling discussion without particular
point followed in which Mr. Petit stated that
he had left note of invitation at Mr. Gil
fillan's office and that he was expected to be
present and to present his side of the con-
troversy which had arisen over the nomina-
quest of him, but Mr. McGill was very deli
cate in the matter and thought Judge Rea
should not tell Mr.. Gilfllan that the com
mittee had sent for him. He said ''Tell him
the committee is in session and will listen
to him if he has anything to say"
In short time Judge Rea appeared and
announced that Gilflan would appear.
GIL APPEARS.
Upon that gentleman stepping into the
room, Mr.. Petit explained to him that the
convention had come together to talk over
the matters of the campaign.
GmFILLAN's TALK.
Mr.. Gilfillan began by saying he was very
glad to meet the gentlemen of the conycn-
ton, ''but don't know as l have ANYTHING
special to say, for was not counselled about
the calling of the meeting and don't know
the purposes for which you were called to-
gether, and l cannot therefore speak to any
subject matter that can be under considera-
tom
Mr.. Pettit.-In view of the dissatisfaction
which has grswn cut of the late congress
sional convention and its proceedings and
the nomination which was made, l deemed
it my duty to call the committee together for
the purposes of consultation to see ii any
thing can be done to remove the dissatisfac-
ton that seems TO exists.
Mr.. Gillian We'll, gentlemen, l must
premise by saying that whatever may have
TO say must be solely upon my individual
responsibility and not in my representative
character as candidate, for as candidate |
hold the nomination as q trust
and have no opportunities to consult those
who have placed that trust in which many
others are interested in my keeping. | do
not claim any credit for any of the proceed
ing in the convention, and disclaim all re-
sponsibiity in its proceedings, prior to the
call upon me by the committee appointed
by it to inform me of my nomination, and l
do not cale to discuss, much less to criticise
those proceedings. | do not think we can
with propriety 60 so. | went to the
convention in response to the invitation of
the committee, and found the convention in
a state of confusion and discussion and some
hot blood prevailed. l sought an interview
with the delegates representing minority in
the convention, with a view if possible of
procuring reconciliation of the differences
existing. sought to counsel aud advise
with them but without success, but did re-
ceive intimatiOns from some of them of
confidential character, which operated
largely in leading me 10 a conclusion.
then went with the committee to the con-
vention and accepted the nomination, in
a way which is known, hoping that few
words would allsy all feeling in the matter
Since then have been associating rs largely
as could the sentiment of the party in I'll
parts of the district. aud | have been sur
prised ut the unanimity of the satisfaction
from every county. l do not appreciate so
fully as YOU seem 10 what you style spirit
of dissatisfaction at the nomination In
every county except three think l am safe
in SAYING there is entire harmony.
Mr.. Barlen-,'Do yo think you can get a
full vote from Washington county.''
Mr. Gilfillan-''I hSve tried to ascertain
.ba sentiment froyn bn3h wings ,,f the rr~rt,-