Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1888-09-07
Minnesota Republicans Meet in State
Convention With John T. Gibbs
as Permanent Chairman.
Ignatius Donnelly, the Nominee of
the Labor Party for Governor,
Delivers a Neat Speech.
The Conventions Adjourns Until To.
Day Pending the Report Of the
Committee on Platform.
The First Day,

The First Day.
81. PAUL, Sept. 5.-The proceedings in
the preliminary session of the republican
state convention which met in Market hall
at 1890 to-day was but little more than the
formal carrying out of the agreement
reached between the friends of the three
leading candidates last night. Ex-Gover-
nor Pillsbury called the convention to
order and John T. Gibbs Of Freeborn
countywas made temporary chairmanby ac-
clamation. He declared the success of the
party was Tar more important than the sue
cess of any individual. On the tariff he
said that when it again came into power
the republican party which has again and
again reduced the tariff since the war will
continue its revision-a sentiment greeted
with applause. The chairman then on the
usual motions announced the various COM
mittees from lists already in his pocket.
The only test of the strength of the candi-
dates for governor was developed on a
motion understood to be in the interest OF
McGill and Schetfer as against Merriam,
that the committee OH credentials recOg-
nize no proxy not a resident Of the county
he pretends to represent. The proposition
was greeted with great applause. Amotion
to lay this motion on the table was lost by
prevailed. A recess until 3 O'clock was
then taken.
AFTER THE RECESS.
The afternoon session, in the unreadi-
ness of any of the committees to report,
was made up of oratory. On behalf of the
antl-salo IN republicans of the state Gen.
eral Nettleton read all address asking the
convention to endorse the maintenance of
high license laws and the extension of
local option to all the counties of the state.
F. F. Davis of Minneapolis delivered an
eloquent eulogy on the republican party
with an incidental plea for Dakota state
hood. In response to reiterated calls, Ig-
natius D0nnelly, candidate of the labor
party for governor, made a witty and
highly appreciated speech lauding all the
candidates for governor. Referring to the
tariff question, he declared that his re-
cent visit abroad had taught him that there
was more interest in England in this con-
test than in America, and while the labor
party of Minnesota is in favor of tariff re-
ductiOn it also demands that whatever tax
is left shall be applied so as to keep out
the starving and ESan! u1SderRad de labor Of
Der Of the national republican committee,
made a strong appeal for the party to re-
fute the democratic assertion that the Min
nesota republicans desire free trade Sen
ator Conger of Michigan made long and
rather tedious speech in favor OF Ameri-
can institutions. AT 5:15 an adjournment
was taken to 8 p. m.
THE EVENING SESSION.
Though it lasted two hours, to-
nights session of the republican
state convention was not more decisive in
any of the important points of interest than
the previous ones. None of the committees
being ready to report when it met General
Nettleton and others made speeches.
Finally the committee on credentials made
a unanimous report. Exception was taken
III the case of Traverse county, but after 3
discussion the report was finally adopted
as presented. The committee on perma-
nent organization then reported, making
the temporary organization with Chairman
Gibbs at its head permanent. A motion
relegating the selection of the members Of
the state central committee to the several
judicial districts prevailed. Then came
the only test of strength and and really sig
nifcant vote of the day. The committee
on resolutions not being ready to report
Ex-Governor Pillsbury moved suspension
of the rules SO as to permit nominating
speeches to be made at once. The roll was
called on this motion, Governor McGills
supporters voting aye because desiring to
reach ballot tonight, and the Scheffer
and Merriam delegates combining against
it, the former, it is said, because if the
platform does not endorse the Farmers
Alliance tariff reduction platform Scheffer
may withdraw, and the Merriam men be-
cause pOstpOnement of the ballot until
tomorrow would give them more time to
work for their candidate. The roll call re-
suited: Ayes 100; nays 1858. The cOnven-
ton at 10 p. m. adjourned till tomorrow
forenoon.
Merriam has at least held his own, his
policy of masterly delay having been
aptly noticeable upon tO-day's convention.
Geo. McGills supporters claim his
strength tonight is not to be measured by
the above vote, and that he controls 100
votes.
The evening papers assert that Gilman
will support McGill on the theory that his
election would make any new man wait
only two years instead of four.
A leading topic of speculation tonight is
as to Schefer's possible action it the plat
form endorses protection. 1t is understood
that the delay in reaching report by the
committee on platform hinges upon the