The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-09-14
HOW 1T CAME ABOUT.
A Resume OF the Days Work and
the Influences Which Turned..the
Tide to Merriam,

Tide to Merriam.
ST. PAUL, Sept. THE Republican
state convention began the day yester-
day by adopting a platform which def
nitely and temporarily represents the
dominant sentiment of the party In the
state. 1t finished It's work in the after
noon by nominating William X. Mer-
RAM for governor on the fourth formal
ballot, and by renominating all the
present state officers by reclamation.
The Republicans of Minnesota selected
William r. Merriam because they be-
lieved of the candidate presented he was
the best and because they were unwill-
ing to trust to any dark horse candidate
that might be sprung and put through
| with a rush. He was not, perhaps, the
choice of a majority of the delegates
when the convention assembled, but he
had such a large following from differ
emit sections of the state, a following
composed OF representatives of the farm
ing element, who influenced their neigh
bors and friends in other sections to
nominate such a candidate as w. K.
Merriam as the best man for the farm
ers, the state and the party.
The early proceedings of the second
day were such as to impress all with the
business intent of the delegates. The
quick work in adopting the platform,
which all seemed to understand and APP
prove, showed that delegates were anx-
ious to get at the real business and inter-
esting part of the convention, which
was the nomination for governor. The
supreme court judges were nominated
unanimously and then the gubernatorial
contest was brought on.
There was some preliminary Skin
mishing, 1t being evident that the man.
ayers Of each candidate would have pre-
ferred to have the last word in the nom
mating speeches and avoid the mis-
takes OF their predecessors. To prevent
the convention proceeding to a bal
lot without nominating speeches, the
Scheffer managers, who desired
to explain away objections to
their candidate, were forced to
open with the addresses. 1t was per-
haps unfortunate for Mr.. Scheffer that
his speakers deemed it necessary to ex-
plain at so great length his canvass for
the nomination, and his position before
the Republican party.
Mr.. McGills friends also assumed Il
half-apologetic tone in his presentation,
not because of his official acts, but be-
cause OF the fear in many minds that he
was NJ a strong III before the people.
Mr.. Merriam OF the contrary, was pre-.
sented, not as antagonistic to the 9TH
er candidates, but as a a who would
serve to unite all the factions of the par
ty, and as a successful business man who
had come before the convention backed
by the young and vigorous blood of the
Republican party. Gen. j. III Baker,
who seconded the nomination of MI.
Merriam, was equal to the emergency.
He kindled the fire of enthusiasm in the
breast OF every person present whether
they were Merriam delegates or other
wise. The successful candidate was the
favorite in the popular sentiment of the
convention hall from that time on.
When he spoke of the early lives OF
Henry Clay and James G. Blaine and
that the first triumphs of their political
elevation wa that of speaker of the
house of representatives of their respec-
tive states and made the comparison
| with that of the first political honors of
Mr.. Merriam the house vent wild With
enthusiasm. This was the first grand
demonstration of enthusiasm manifested
during the long and tedious speeches.
Following Gen. Bakers enthusiastic
speech came the words of Gov. Barto,
judicious and we'll chosen, and the con
vention proceeded to a ballot, the i'm
preston prevailing that Mr.. Merriam
was the candidate that would heal the
differences in the party and give the
state a good administration.
When the balloting begun there were
many wise politicians who estimated that
McGill would lead from the start, but as
Mr. Merriam showed a vote larger than
any of his opponents had admitted pos.
sible, surprise was in the air for those
who did not know his strength. 1t was
good generalship that saved a few votes
for succeeding ballots, and when the
second showed an increase for Merriam
his strength became more solldified, his
partisans more active, and waverlng del
egates gathered to his standard. The
succeeding ballots were q continuation
of the story, and when delegates had
discharged personal obligations to other
candidates and obeyed instructions they
were free to 60 where they chose, and
naturally went to the candidate who was
gaining gronnd-