Morris tribune., 1890-09-24
What-Wa lit.

What-WaS-lt.
The readers of the TRIBUNE are gener
ally aware of the fact that some years
ago Barnum had on exhibition a sort OF
an animal nondescript, which went by
the name of "What -Is-It." Well, last
Friday there assembled at the court
house in this city what was supposed to
be Republican convention, called to.
gether for the purpose of nominating
candidates for senator and representa-
tives to represent this legislative district.
But instead of being Republican con-
vention, as we understand Republican
ism, it was transformed into political
What W as -It-'some thing not yet de-
scribed; that which no account or ex-
PLANTATION has been given; something
abnormal, or hardly classifable,"
AS one of the delegates to this gather
in- = that circumstances over
I'd no control" had called us
N on Friday last, and we have
IT but such is the wish of the
.--cr >zelegates.
Before the prelimary organization of
the convention was effected the Grant
county delegation held a convention by
themselves, nominated Canestorp for
senator and Sanders and Lyman for re-
presentatives-which was done in about
10 seconds-and withdrew from the con-
vention, owing to the ruling of the chair
man of the legislative committee, that
there were con.esting delegations from
, that county, neither of which would be
allowed to take pars III III -tzS temporary
- organization,
Then tie convention was temporarily
organized, a committee on credentials
appointed, and a recess was taken, to
give the committee time to report, which
took nearly the entire afternoon. The
committee reported against allowing
seats to what was known as the Hix-
son delegation from Grant county, but
could take no action in relation to the
Canestorp delegation, as they presented
no credentials, having withdrawn from
the convention From Big Stone county
were two delegations, one in favor of
Canestorp or Stone, and the other in
favor of Hixson. The committee re-
ported in favor of seating both delega-
tions and allowing each delegation 81
votes. This was following the prece-
dents.made by the state and congression-
p! convention. This ruling of the com.
mittee did not suit the Big Stone dele
gates, and the Canestorp delegation and
Mr.. Lyman, candidate for representa-
tive, strutted out of the convention, after
informing the chairman that they repre-
sented two thirds of the Republican
voters of Big Stone county. And if this
delegation had not withdrawn just as
they did the Hixson delegation would
have left the convention, as they were
ready to do so, but the Canestorp men
were too soon for them.
After the withdrawal of the above
delegation the remaining delegates were
granted the right to cast the seven votes
of the county.
After waiting some time to ascertain
if the Grant county delegates were COM
ing back to take part in the proceedings,
and they not returning, the What-Was-
1t adjourned until o'clock in the
evening.
Now, then, after the withdrawal of
the delegates from Grant comfy and
one-haf of the delegates from Big Stone
had stepped out, only two and half
counties out of the four were represen-
ted, if we are to believe the Canestorp
delegation from Big Stone. With only a
portion of the legislative district repre-
sented, the What Was-It nominated
Hixson for senator, and Setterlund %
Traverse, and Lyman of Big Stone. -fo
representatives.
Mr.. Hixsou was called out and mafie ,
few remarks, closing by saying, "Up les
you nominate III. Schlattman for re-
preventative, decline yournominatij on. ,
OF course Mr.. Schlattman could nc, be
nominated, as Setterlund and Lyma1
were already dominated. So the con
vention Wasleft without candid tate fol
senator. The vote in favor of not accept
ing the declinationN of Hixson co juld moi
bind him to accept the Rep Ydblican
nomination for senator.
Hixson is no fool. He knew W hat he
was doing when he declined to accept
the nomination. He knew that nomi
:on from a Republican coraven.ion
-Tesenting only a portion OH the dis.
It, would not have any binding force
,th the Republican voters, as -ty
alton. And further, he Cd i
ntiously accept the
was pledged