The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-06-14

THURSDAY. JUNE Ia, 1888.
THEcONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION.
On Tuesday last ninety-nine represen-
tative men of the Fifth congressional
district met at St. Cloud for the purpose
OF selecting candidate for congress to
succeed Hon. Knute Nelson. The
avowed aspirants for the position were
A. Barto, of Stearns, S. G. Cymstock, of
Clay, E. E. Corliss, of Otter Tail, Judge
Stearns, of St. Louis and c. B. Buchanan,
of Benton. To those familiar with the
men it was quite evident the district was
assured of a good man to represent it.
John Cromb, of Polk, was selected to
preside over the convention, and he did
it with dignity, grace and equity. He
was fitting presiding officer over the
body assembled. There was but one
contesting delegation-that from Wa
dena, and it being settled the convention
settled itself down to work. The COM
mittee on resolutions reported a remark
able platform, which is commended to
the attention of the HERALD readers.
The following is its full text: ..-...
Whereas, We have heretofore demanded
certain remedial legislation looking to
the equitable distribution of the fruits of
labor, the Just regulation of the subject
of railroad traffic, both in state and in
rerstate commerce, toa fair and equit-
able point where the interest of the Ship
pers should be fairly andjustly considered
and to the full and unrestricted rights of
shippers to reach the markets of the world
untrammeled by any unjust burden; and
whereas, such legislation as the exper-
fence of the past would suggest, and iu
the light of such experience, has already
been secured through the efforts of the
republican party.
Resolved, That we demand such addi-
tional legislation as is necessary to fully
and fairly adjust the relation of shippers
and carriers to the end that the shipper
shall be allowed to ship at a fair and
reasonable rate, which rate shall be based
upon the actual cost of construction and
operating expenses, and that efforts of
shippers to secure an open market shall
not be trammeled by any unjust or un-
reasonable charges, and that the shipper
shall exercise the right to transfer at all
points of the railroad line without any
unjust charges therefor; and that this
principal be engrafted upon what is
known as the interstate commerce law,
and to secure such desired legislation and
the enforcement thereof we pledge the
earnest efforts of the republican party.
Resolved, That we insist upon material
and judicious reduction of the tariff, es-
pecially when it bears heavily upon the
producing and agricultural interests, and
demand that congress shall cease trifling
with this most important subject. We
regard the so-called Mills bill, as pre-
sented in congress, as subterfuge, de-
signed only to deceive, and fraught with
mischief, bearing upon it's face the unmis-
taxable evidence of having been prepared
solely in the spirit of sectional interest,
carefully guarding the interests of one
section of the country at the expense of
another; and we regret that the party in
power refuse to meet the question of tar
iff reduction in fair and manly spirit.
We hold the democratic party response
BILE for the war, of which the present tar
if was a necessary outgrowth, and in
view of the failure of the party to reform
the tariff after being in possession of the
lower house of congress for several years
we cannot but regard their promises OF
reform as mere pretense, unworthy OF
any respect or serious consideration, and
point to the fact that all material reduc-
tion in the tariff has been secured through
the efforts of the republican party, while
the history of the democratic party upon
this subject is a succession of broken
pledges. We confidently appeal to the
people to intrust this important subject
to the care of the republican party.
Resolved, That we hope for the restor-
alton of a republican majority in con-
gress; that Dakota may have justice and
no longer be denied admission to the
Union for partisan reasons.
Resolved, That we are in favor of Open
ing as soon as practicable. all the Indian
reservations in the Fifth district, allot-
ing land in severalty to the Indians now
residing thereon, and disposing of the re-
mainder to actual settlers and purchas-
ers on such terms as congress may deem
best.
Resolved, That we highly appreciate
the services of our congressman, Hon.
Knute Nelson, and feel a pride in the hon
orable distinction so justly attained by
ties and faithfully and ably performed
with his favor, but he has 1abored indus
triously in the interests of the whole peo-
pie. We heartily approve of his earnest
and to secure reform and reduction of
the tariff, and his action therein has been
in accord with the plainly expressed will
of the republican party of this district,
as enunciated in the platforms upon
which he has been elected, and his consti-
tuents consent to his retirement as con-
gresham only fo- the reason that he alb
solutely declines a reelection.
That disposed of an informal ballot
was taken which resulted as follows:
BartO ...............................
observation-disclosures.
acknowledgements. 8
StearnS........."........
Then followed formal ballot, in which
Stearns lost three, Comstock and Cor
liss each gained one and one went in the
air. There were no material changes
until the sixth ballot which resulted:
Oar TO
DuSklHdH
AOmStock...............
AornSS........".........
On the eleventh ballot Gov. Barto
reached his maximum vote, 80, and Com
stock was then %. 1t became evident
that the fight had narrowed down to