St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-10-18
DON'T like DONNELLY
Dakota County Republicans
viii Make it Warm
for Him.
MePriam's Methods Create a
Division in the Party
Ranks.
Resignation Of President
Thomas. Of the South
st. Paul League.
Good Prospects for the Elee-
tion Of a Democratic
Legislator.

It IS not going to be such an easy
campaign this year for the Hon. Igna-
thus Donnelly in Dakota county as his
friends expected, and as ne has eX-
pressed himself SO sanguine about. An
important meeting of Republicans was
held at South st. Paul last evening,
which may result in upsetting some of
the cherished plans of the SAGE OF Mn
niger. as well as his cCadjutOr at the
head of the state ticket.
Last July the South st. Paul Republi-
can league was formed as an auxiliary
OF the state organization mapped out at
the Republican gathering at New York
early in the spring. The new OrganiZa-
ton in Dakota county fiOurished, and
finally mustered eighty members on its
rolls. They were not at all pleased with
the recent action of the Republican
county convention. which, they claim,
was manipulated by the Merriam men,
in placing Mr.. DOnnelIy on the ticket
for the legislature, and appealing TO
Republicans TO support him. One rea-
son assigned for dissatisfaction was that
he had been put up by the Democracy
as their standard bearer in the Twenty
ninth legislative district. and cOnse-
quenuy was not entitled to Republican
SUPPORT AT TIE POLLS.
These mutterings OF discomfort have
been growing louder day by day, and
climax was reached last evening. A
quorum of the league responded to the
notice given thee days AGO that a meet
ing would be held TO consider important
business. and after a short discussion
the following preamble and resolutions
were adopted:
Political liberty has ever been dear 10 the
hearts Of American citizens since the Declar-
alton of Independence; and political honesty
commended. ana political dishonesty con-
demned: as Republicans and TesDeC table
citizens having the good OF the country at
heart. the South 81. Paul Republican league
hereby condemn the action OF William K.
Merriam and members OF the 6epuDllcan
state central committee in debating 10 the
Republicans of Dakota county the nOmlna-
tiOu of Iguatius DOnnelly for the legislature,
and in making political bargain with him
whereby they turned over TO him the Re.
publican party Of this county, as dishonest
political bargains. We also condemn the
methods of William r. Merriam in obtaining
his nomination and prosecuting his cam
paign since, Us unworthy the hlgh ONCE ne
seeks.
Resolved. Therefore, that this club hereby
disbands and as individuals refuse to sup
port either Mr.. DOnnelly OF Mr.. Merriam, be-
cause such support would imply approval Of
their methods. We appeal to the honest Re
publicans Of Dakota county TO approve our
conduct.
The officers of the league were as follows:
President [. NJ Thomas; vice presidents, A.
p. CLARK and j. Il. TAFT; secretary George
SlOcum; treasurer. George Camden; eXecu-
tive committee, y. B. Clark, l.. NJ. Bryant
William Chapman. q. F. Anderson and j. A.
Hamilton. According 10 the constitution and
bylaws Of The league, the members pledged
themselves to support every regular nominee
on thesRepubllcan ucket, ana provision was
made that in case of a bolt the offender
should be summarily expelled. President
Thomas, who Is also chairman Of the Repub-
Ecan committee of Dakota county. did not
think that he could support either Merriam
or DOnuelly. and consequently rendered his
resignation 70 the chairman OF the last county
convention. His reasons for this action are
clearly explained in The following communi-
ToA B. Clark Esq, Chairman of the last
Republican County Convention OF Dakota
County:
convention was held, Of which You were the
chairman. there were no divisions in the
party other than Is common III any county
where different candidates for the same
office have nearly an equal number of
friends. The delegates TO The state cOnyen-
ton were appOrtiOned among the then can
didates for governor, and quiet feeling OF
harmony prevailed. There was a general
belief that the party IN this county was
stronger and in better fighting trim than ever
before. So confident was this feeling that it
was considered advisable to put a straight
party ticket IN the field Tor county and legls-
latiYe offices. But the action of the state
convention put different phase on the local
situation. A muTmur OF dissatisfaction was
heard in every town III the county. This
feeling was intensified by the conduct OF the
head OF the state ticket and his immediate
friends ana personal followers. 1t was
given out from headquarters and indus
triously circulated that all those who were
not original supporters OF the successful
nominee were spotted. ana that III every
instance the punishment would be made 10
tit the crime. The result in several instances
in this county was at once apparent. The
straight party organization was abandoned
bv its former supporters ana allies, and the
People party movement was taken up Dy
those who had formerly denounced il. This
was urged by many IS the only way by which
10 avoid a split. and q disruption OF the party
over the mead of the state ticket. But those
who had TecEOned on avoiding any contact
with the head of the state ticket by this
move were disappointed for no sooner was
the Peoples party rejuVenated than the Re
publican state central committee seized the
struggling infant by the throat. and by both
threat ana promise gained control OF It's
movements ana dictated It's actions as IA
miliaIly as though il were a creature ofits
own formation. Old-line Republicans and
men who had never voted any other than a
Republican ticket were kicked ont while the
refuse of the Democratic party" as Mr..
OfConnor very aptlv expressed il. and the
''dicker and trade' element of all parties
were placed in command, and hOnOred by
being put IN nominal IN for the highest and
most honorable positions. This OF Itself
would not have been significant or uncOm-
mon from an bipartisan standpoint had il
been the legitimate result Of an bipartisan
movement. But such was not the case. It
was the result Of one OF the most corrupt and
unscrupulCus political deals that ever dis
graced any political party. While the deal
was calculated 10 help the head Of the Re
publican state ticket in the state at large, the
result VIII be disastrous in this county. as il
should be. Not only viii Mr.. Merriam suffer
by this corrupt deal but the party in this
county has been disrupted. and the effect on
the party in the state can be imagined should
this deal be ratified at the polls in this cOun-
~ and this arch disruDuOnist (Donnelly) be
elected 10 the legislature; for it is his ex-
pressed determination, in case Of his election,
10 become q candidate for the United States
senatOrship against Senator Sabin, Gen.
Washburn, knute Nelson, or any other Re
publican VINO may aspire to that hOror. And
why not? IF elected to the legislature at ali
il VIII be by the aid OF W. r. Merriam and
the Republican state central committee.
Their financial aid and moral and personal
support has been pledged to him in this fight.
and can they withdraw their support after
his elecuOng VIII they dare do il. With
the aid Of these powerful influences in the
legislature, ana a three-cOrnered fight be-
tween The other candidates named, who can
deny that Slr. DOnnely has the best Of
the fight? What viii Mr. SaDln, Gen Wash
burn and the Republican party think OF such
prospect:
But not only this. In the event Of Mr.
Donnellyis defeat for the legislature il is cur
rently reported (and the rumor goes uncon-