St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-17
FARMERSTO The FORE
The Most Notable Gathering
Of Changers Ever Held in
the State.
Tall Pine ErWin'S Scathlng
Roast to Messrs. ashburn
and Merriam.
Independent Political Action
Decided Upon Almost
Unanimously.
After an Informal Ballot for
Governor, the Merriam
Men Scheme.

Men Scheme.
Delegates to the state Farmers ALI
ance yesterday wrestled among them
selves for seven hours; then. COM
pletely exhausted, they adjourned to
meet at o'clock this morning. The re-
suit of their laborS may be summed up:
Independent political action on the part
of the alliance was agreed upon, with
only "a dissentients out of 41o votes cast.
An informal ballot was taken, showing
that the choice of the convention as
candidate for governor lies between
Knute Nelson. Ignatius Donnelly, Dan
lei Buck and Gen. Baker. The sessions
were held in the house of representa-
tives at the state capitol, and there are
ASP delegates from sub-alliances. Inc
labor element is allowed representation
by the admission of thirty-six delegates.
The latter are largely from st. Paul,
Minneapolis and Duluth.
The convention is, perhaps, the most
notable ore that has ever been held in
st. Paul, because if the proper man is
selected as candidate for governor, the
action of this body will mark, not only
an important departure in the political
history of the state, but throughout the
entire country. 1t will date the birth
of an entirely new party, created from
and controlled by the people.
But will the proper man be selected?
Reading by the light of yesterdays
proceedings it is extremely question
able whether the convention can unite
on man capable and of sufficient abil-
ity to lead so young cause to victory.
There are too many cliques represented
In the body, and it is so undisciplined
as to be entirely beyond the manage
ment of one, or even two OF three lead
ers. They can be got to work unani-
mously on questions of organization.
but when the nomination of candidates
comes up for solution the convention
breaks up. Local prejudices are too
strong.
Surprise was manifested at the
strength which Ignatius Donnelly has
shown in the convention. There are
many who aver that he has majority
of the convention, and that to-day he
has every probability of securing the
gubernatorial nomination. His action,
in case of such an event, will be watched
with much interest. Some say that he
will refuse to accept it; others declare
that he will accept it. He will, how
ever, be in a position to clearly demon
strate, once and for all, that he is not
working the Alliance in the interests of
the present governor. Mr.. Donnelly
cleared up several very interesting
points in his speech to the conven-
tion. He denied that he was work
the contrary, he was willing
and ready to do all he possibly could to
further It's welfare. He regretted any
differences of opinion that might arise,
but he facetiously added, eff anybody
kicked his stern he was so constituted
that he must reply" Mr.. Donnelly ex-
pllcitly said he was willing to abide by
the decision of the convention. What
ever the majority agree upon he would
assist their cause to the best of his
ability.
What more could the farmers want
from Mr.. Donnelly?
Taking him by the utterances of yes
terday. if the convention DEGREES. Mr..
Dodnelly will be the farmers candidate
for governor.
Knute Nelson has strong backing in
the convention, but among some is
strongly disapproved. Gen. Barrett is
foremost in this opposition. He boldly
declared himself yesterday afternoon,
when he faced the indignation of the
delegates by urging the pestponemenl
of nominating state ticket at this
time. He wanted the convention to
adopt some strong, rasping resolutions
and go home, returning again in OctO
Der if it was thought desirable to take
independent action. Gen. Barrett fear.
lessly declared he preferred Gov. Mer
riam as governor to Knute Nelson, the
latter. he alleged, being the repre-.
sentative of the infamous wheat rings
that had bled the farmers of the
state for money. The general also
limited at, and the statement was sub
sequently publicly made by Caring
ton Phelps, that the convention had
been captured in the interests of Knute
Nelson. Charles Canning and State
Senator HiXsOn supported the PROPOSE
tion made by Gen. Barrett, but the del
egates-they almost howled with rage
ment. The vote shows that they were
overwhelmingly opposed to any post
ponement. They indicated that. having
been sent to put an Independent ticke
in the field, they were not going home
with copy of few harmless resolu
tions in their pockets. This was The
fight of the day. Gen. Barrett felt the
question one of so much Importance
that he announced his retirement from
the convention. He preferred tina
rather than proceed with the nomina
tion of an independent state ticket a
this time.
The question was raised as to whether
Knute Nelson would accept a nomina
tion. President Hall declared that two
weeks ago MIR. Nelson informed him tha
he would not. He did not care to have
a nomination from an Independent
party. On the other hand, it is said
Nelson's supporters have letter from
Nelson, the purport of which wheI
read to-day, will convince the dele
gates that ne will accept the nomina
ton if rendered.
The speech of Attorney w. D. Erwin
was one of the features of the conven
ton. Never, perhaps. have the farmers
been more delighted. After its deliv
ery Mr.. Erwin had only to name th'
nomination he wanted, and it wOult
have at once been rendered him.
more eloquent speech has rarely beer
heard in this state, 'and SO we'll did
suit the tastes of the Alliance men tina
it was ordered to be printed for genera
distribution.