St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-08
Parades the Capital With Gift
ford's Scalp Hanging at
His Belt,
And Tells a Globe Reporter
How He Laid Out the
Faultless Man
Who Could Not Keep His Word
Because the Boys Would
Not Let Him.
What the General Has Con-
cluded About the AdmiS-
sion Matter.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.-There is no
more dignified and soldierly-appearing
man in the city at present than General
Harrison Allen, of Fargo, who is still
stopping at the National. He walked
into the hotel this evening as a con-
queror would march, bearing his scalps
with him. Hanging at his belt is the
still CORY scalp of Oscar Sherman Gift
ford. Gen. Allen is proud of it. ''Gifford
ought to have kept his word and been
honorable with me-" said Gen. Allen
this evening, ''He asked me in 1886 if l
was anxious to receive the nomination,
and 1 said no. He then voluntarily
promised to support me in 1888, and not
seek denomination if would nominate
him. l agreed. and we struck hands
upon that. / took his word of honor as
a gentleman, and went into the conven-
ton, nominated him, and he went
through with hurrah. Then [ under
took the management OF his campaign,
and spent my time and money in all
earnest effort to keep up his majority in
spite of the tremendous fight which Day
was making. Frequently during the
campaign he thanked me for what ] had
done and was doing for him, and often
assured me that he would support and
not antagOniZe me in 1888.
WE WE'RE GREAT FRIENDS
care your relations strained now?'
sob, no. When we went into conven-
ton last summer at WatertoWn ! was
amazed to find Clifford a candidate
against me, ana still keeping up the
work of the south against the north
half Of the territory. He came to my
room again, as he did in 1886. and asked
me if [ wanted the nomination. l re-
piled that [ was not anxious about it.
He then said: Gosh darn it. Pve been
tellin' the boys you didn't want it,
Then l replied: Clifford, why don't
YOU keep your word with me$ Have
YOU forgotten your solemn word of
honor given to me? Why don't you
keep your word?' His reply was:
"tGosh darn it, General, l can't
do it,
"'What! You can't keep your word
of honor?'
"sNo, gosh darn it. general, the boys
won't let me Withdraw. They insist on
runnin' me. | can't get out of it,
'''Are you sure, Clifford, that you are
unable to keep your word? | never
heard in all my experience before that
a true gentleman cannot keep his word.
l have kept mine with you. Now l
want you to keep yours with me. |
don't want this nomination very badly,
Clifford, but do want you to withdraw
and keep your word.'
az tell you, general, / can't do it.
The
BOYS WON'T LET ME-
&C sNarV yUpl1 thnD I roplia6 STf tho
boys will make liar of you will make
an eX-member of you. [ wish that
could induce you to keep your word,
Clifford; but inaSmuch as l cannot do
that, | shall certainly retire you from
public life. You'd better retire honor
ably, Clifford. You'd better do it. But,
/ now assure that | care so little for
this nomination that will be out of the
race i'm very few moments. But there
will he man in the race who will show
you clean pair of heels, and beat you.
| intend to see that good man is nOmi-
mated and elected
sin a very few hours thereafter,
George Matthews was nominated, and
he was elected in grand style, of course.
There is not better nor truer young
thews. You will surely like him. He
will be popular here, too, as he is in
Dakota.''
''How long have you been in Dakota.
general?'
''Since 1882. [ was at my home in
Pennsylvania when it was announced
that had been appointed
UNITED STATES MARSHAL OF DAKOTA.
ut was done by Attorney General
Brewster, without my knowledge. /
did not want the Office, but was induced
to accept it, for various good reasons
presented by my friends. l have never
regretted it. l am now full-fledged
Dakotian. and would not live elsewhere.
We have good and prospecting country.
North Dakota will soon be state, and
we will have all the rights and privileges
of American citizenship"
"Do you expect division and admis-
sion this Winter?"
II can't speak as enthusiastically
upon that subject as might have done
a few days ago. | understand that Mr..
Springer will actively
ANTAGONIZE ANY BILL
looking to division this winter. He does
this upon the ostensible ground of high
toned policy. He processes to believe
that his omnibus bill is the one and
only correct method of attaining state
hood for Dakota; and that we should be
admitted as whole. My impression is
that Mr.. Springer knows better than
that. 1t may be unjust to him, but |
have always felt that his omnibus bill
was insincere. Mr.. Springer knows
that we want division, and that nothing
short of division will satisfy our people.
He knows that it is unjust to tack three
little territories to the tail of our soar
ing kite, and compel US to lift them into