St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-14
Startling Change Of Front
Among Alliance Commit
teemen.
An Independent Ticket the
Death Blow to Boodleism
in Politics.
Monopolists and Ringsters
Are Anxious to Squelch
the Movement.
1.-THE flowing tide is with u.s."


considerable satisfaction was expressed
at the result of the alliance convention
at Fergus Falls. 1t was generally con-
coded that Gov. Merriam will get re-
nomination; there will practically be
no opposition to him in the Republican
nominating convention. His election is
quite another matter.
Let the farmers nominate either
Knute Nelson or Capt. w. W. Braden,
and w. R. Merriam is political corpse.
The governor knows this, and if he
can prevent it there will be no conven-
ton held by the alliance to nominate
state ticket. If such is not the case,
read: what Gov. Merriam told Fifth
district politician Friday last. The
Fifth district man is leading member
of the alliance and supporter of Mer-
RAMS. He called to confer with the
governor respecting the talk of an indie
pendent convention. In the course OF
their conversation Gov. Merriam made
use of these words:
''This thing must not be-"
The Fifth district man could not see
how it was to be prevented, but would
be better able to inform the governor
after the Fergus Falls convention.
What will his report be? With 1902
votes cast in favor of convention being
held, against 9 opposed, it is pretty evil
dent that the rank and file of the ALI
ance are determined upon an independ-
ent convention. But such thing as
this will not deter Gov. Merriam. He
has said, speaking of the proposed con-
vention, that this thing must not De, !"
and will no doubt do his level best to
prevent it. Note how it can be done.
The power of calling state cOnven-
ton of the Farmers alliance is vested
in the executive committee. Last week
there were seven members favorable to
holding a convention and two opposed.
To-day there are five for a convention
and four against Gov. Merriam only
requires two more votes to squelch the
independent convention move. The
matter will not be decided before Mon
day at the earliest. and thoSeswho have
the slightest knowledge of Gov. Merri-
ANS political record can easily imagine
how it is possible for him to head off
the convention. The change Of front
on the part of two members the past
week is very significant; it is an index
of what may be expected within the ell
suing three or four days.
1t is dangerous game for any ALI
| ance man to sell out to Merriam. There
is quite an uprising On the part of the
people against the present chief exec
utive. The opinion has got abroad that
doodle" is not the only qualification.
| 1t may suit the strikers, the bummers
| and all that is disreputable in politics,
but for the Intelligent citizen something
more is wanted. This cry Of doodle"
stinks in the nostrils of the
| people. The air was Surcharged with
| 1t during the election of Merriam and
the entire session of the last Legislature.
This thing has got to end, despite the
edict of the self-appointed car. that no
| independent convention must be held.
Attorney w. w. Erwin was quick to
note this at the Fergus Falls convention.
| Mr.. Erwin has always been recognized
as Merriam man. II is said
| that he went to Fergus Falls to repre-
| sent the governors interests, but that,
| on arriving there, he was completely
| dumfounded by the startling indie
pendence exhibited by the delegates.
| There was no mincing of words; there
was but one object in view-the cutting
| away from old party lines, and the for
nation of straight, Independent COM
bination of farmers and wOrkingmen.
l L.
| dressing the convention, he urged
separate action. at the same time
he put in a few words for the governor
"GOv. Merriam has given good admin
| istration." Mr.. Erwin did not tell
wherein Gov. Merriam'S administration
was good one. Why? He could not.
There are many people like Mr.. Erwin.
They froth about Gov. Merriam's adj
ministration, but when asked to point
| out anything he has done they fail to do
so. There has been nothing eXtraordi-
nary about the present administration.
Che only thing that appears to have
been associated with it from first to last
| is ''boOdle.'
Will Knute Nelson take nomination
| from the alliance convention?
Within the past three weeks Nelson
told friend that he did not want any
nomination. There are many people,
however, believe that the nomination
will be rendered Nelson in such way
| that he cannot refuse it. A Fifth dis
| trict man said: 81 am Republican
have always voted the Republican
ticket, but | cannot swallow the tactics
of Gov. Merriam. He appears to think
that the only qualification fol
Office is money, and as free citizen
and good Republican | am opposed tc
| such sentiment. An alliance mai
came to me yesterday. What will you
| give us towards campaign expenses II
we run Knute Nelson for governor he
| asked | told him $500, and that
| would also stump the Fifth district in
his favor. am not alone in this; there
are scores Of good Republicans VINO
would do the same"
The reports sent out from Fergus
| Falls do not adequately express the in.
tense enthusiasm exhibited by the dele
| gates. Several gentlemen who were
| there turned up at st. Paul yesterday
| Said one of them: 81 never saw such
enthusiasm at a convention before. The
delegates at times went almost wild
There was no doubt about their earnest
ness, especially of their hostility to
wards Merriam. | scarce could believe
it. You would be surprised at the man
ner in which they applauded denuncla
tions of Merriam, and his tactics to Sc
cure denomination. That independent
movement cannot be treated lightly.
visited several counties last week. and
the feeling is very strong in the diree
ton of an independent ticket we shat
have a warm campaign this fall"
ssW hat will the Democrats do?" This
was the question freely asked yesterda,
by many politicians when discussing
the probability of an alliance conven
ton. One man put it this way: 81
the candidates for governor are Merri
am for the Republicans, Durant for thu
Democrats and Nelson for the farmers
it is dollars to doughnuts that Nelson
will win. If the heads of the ticket:
run Merriam for the Republicans, Vii
son for the Democrats and Barrett fo
the farmers / am convinced that Wilson
will be a winner. On the other hand, i.
Durant is the Democratic nominee AMI
Barrett for the farmers Merriam will b.
the winner"
Gov. Miller, of North Dakota. was a
| the Merchants yesterday. He was Ell
route home from two weeks business
| trip East, and. as consequence, hat
comparatively little to say about Nortl
| Dakota politics, or whether he had de
cided to seek a second term or not
The governor was immensely pleased a