St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-09-10
OWEN DECLINES.
AS a Matter of Principle He Will
Go 1t Alone,

AS Matter of Principle He Will
Go 1t Alone.
When the delegates had ceased eu-
lcgizing their faVorite candidates long
enough to permit it motion was made
to proceed to an informal ballot, but be-
fore this was put Chairman Wells asked
permission to read the following letter
addressed to him by S. M. Owen, the
Alliance nominee for governor:
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Sept. 8, 1S9O.-Honl
Il. r. Wells-My Dear Sir: What has hereto-
fore seemed to me mere idle talk regarding
my candidacy before the Democratic state
convention for the position of governor has
now assumed an importance that, in my
concerning the situation both as matter of
fairness to those trends who are earnestly
working for my Endorsement by the cOnven-
ton and of justice to myself AMI the move
ment that has placed me at its head The
action SO far taken by my Democratic friends
is an honor to me that fully appreciate and
shall ALWAYS remember with pleasure and
gratitude; but it is even more honorable 10
them, for it evidences their ability to subor-
dinate partisanship and the usual politlco-
partisan methods to patriotism-to what they
deem the best interests of the common
wealth. This is a cheering fact and gilds
with the shining gold of unselfshness and
true citizenship those friends who have been,
and, evidently. are stin, working earnestly
and Zealously for my nomination.
My justification for writing this is found in
the fact that several county delegations have
been instructed to cast their votes for me,
thereby making me candidate before the
convention and compelling me to contem-
plate the possibility of a nomination. In
view of this fact, feel impelled to briefly
state my position regarding the present stu
alton.
In the first place, the new political move
ment now sc, rapidly taking form and assum-
ing such vast proportions all over the Union
IS actuated by the desire to put certain men
in certain places only SO far as such acts may
be the expressions of a devotion to social,
economic and political reforms.
To elect the man means nothing, in the
estimation of the true reformer unless such
election expresses the popular will regarding
the principles at issue. A movement so
actuated must not start out upon its career
by making what willappear to the world, in
spite of the purest motives as bargains to
secure the election of men, without regard to
principles involved --er
That there is not only the amplest justlf-
cation, but a most urgent demand for a new
| political party in this country,I am con-
| vinced. l cannot here detail my reasons for
| this faith that is inme. but they will be dis
cussed during the present campaign in the
| state. aud will, am sure, carry conviction
| to thousands of minds. S
| will be dominated and controlled by thein-
dustrial and legitimate business interests OF
| the country, that will be equally strong North
| and South, East and West, to be the only
| agency capable Of concentrating in one mass
| those of our people who concede the urgent
| need of radical reforms, but cannot be in
| duced to forsake one old party and JOIN the
other in pursuit of reform.
| This new Independent movement then,
| must be preserved in its integrity, must be
| kept SO free from combinations that there
| will be some point about which all men car
| rally for principles sake-some point where
! vote will accurately determine the disposi
| ton of the people to forsake partisanshiI
and exalt citizenship to its proper position in
| the state ticket. and to keep that ticket free
from any charge of subordinating principle
| to desire for place or power should be the
first and highest consideration of its friends
This position in no sense rebnkes the prac
| tice of making up local Alliance tickets from
| former members of the old parties, which II
| inevitable; nor of mutual Endorsements OF
| local tickets, for in local affairs men are
often of more importance than principles
| Nor should my attitude embarrass com
| binations in congressional districts, where
! one man only is on the ticket, and indorse
ment of him is in no sense a desertiOn OF
| associates on the same ticket. / feel that the
integrity of the Alliance movement IN this
| state haa been entrusted to my keeping. and
even in defeat, to preserve that Integrity un
| suilied viii confer more honor upon myself
| and contribute more to the future effective
ness of independents political action on the
| part of our people than would the election OF
| myself and associates through what could be
| construed into questionable practices to the
| places for which we are named
| For the reasons have given herewith, and
| for many others equally weighty, but which
| would -oyertax your patience to read, re-