The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-09-04
MINNESOTA POLITICS.
A GENERAL STIRRING UP OF
THE DRY BONES.
The Part Played by the Alliance-.-
How Their Independent Action Might
Affect Either Political Party..The
Congressional Nominations Made.


Affect Either Political Party--The
Congressional Nominations Made.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, Sept. 1.-The politi-
cal situation in Minnesota at the present
time is somewhat mixed, arising from
the fact that the Farmers Alliance has
placed very strong ticket in the field
which is being backed by first class
| State committee and thorough organi- |
zation.
The convention which met in this city |
on July 10Th, and named the Al |
| lance ticket, was composed of nearly 500 |
delegates, among whom were many able |
and Well-knoWn men, who had formerly |
been prominent in the two political par
ties. The platform adopted calls for |
State control of the railroads, reduc- |
tiOn in the legal rate of interest, the free |
coinage of silver, and speaks out as fol- |
lows on the tariff question:
FIRST We demand that the war
tariff which has too long survived the
object of its creation, shall be radically
revised, giving very matarial reduction
on the necessaries of life, and placing
raw material upon the free list to the
end that we may compete with the world
for market, and that such luxuries as
whiskey and tobacco shall in no manner
be relieved from internal taxation, till
the high protective tariff has been wholly
divested of its extortions; and we especi-
ally denounce the Mckinley bill as the
crowning infamy Of protection"
The fact that this plank denouncing
| r. hull
deafening applause by the convention,
and was introduced by General ]. II.
Baker, man who has for more than
thirty years been one of the Republican
leaders Of the State, demonstrated that
the farmers of Minnesota are over
whelmingly against the Republican idea
!, of projection. This, however, is no new
thing. a number of years the
voters of this State have inclined
to low tariff, and it was only by bare
majority and considerable pressure that
the Republican State platform Of 1888
= was made to conform with the national
:. platform Of that year. This produced
! considerable dissatisfaction among the
= Re- blican farmers who voted for Presi-
" dent Harrison on the promise made by
the State leaders that the tar Fl wou,d be
reduced. The Mckinley bill helped to
g fan this discomfort into flame and III
the last six months the Alliance has in
O creased from fewer than 800 subordinate
Alliances to over 1900. This organiza-
tion is strongest in the second and fifth
congressional districts where county and
70 congressional nominations have been
y made. In 1888, the second district gave
over 10, 900 majority for the Republican
State ticket, and the fifth district rolled
up majority nearly 1000 larger 10,
\. the same ticket. In these two districts
the Alliance leaders claim that thei
ls ticket will come cut with decided ma
jority.
There is no question that many Dem
ocrats will vote the Alliance ticket, bu
even the Republican State chairman
does not estimate the Democratic ALI
ance vote as more than one in four, S
that large Alliance vote can not fa
ce to help the Democrats. The estimate
as to the number of votes that will b
r. polled by the Alliance ticket, vary.
= The president Of the Alliance, Hor
Is. R. J. Hall, places it at 100, 1000, and i
~ this he is backed up by Chairman Cal
~ rington Phelps. of the State committee
p The Republican estimate made by Chail
" man Heatwole runs down to 10000, {
III which he claims one half will come frol
er- the ranks of the Democratic party. Th
Zee is very low, however, and is credited /
,s one who has had an opportunity of a
certaining the sentiment Of the farme
throughout the State.
;. A fair estimate Of the situation, as
is to-day. would give the farmers tick
nearly one third of the total vote of tt
or. State. Of course this will be change
IN somewhat when the campaign Of Il
two old parties commences, but we
informed politicians express the opinit
that in no event can the Alliance vo
rec fall below 100000 This, in total vo
ter of $50, 900, is certain to create havoc
ted the ranks of the old parties.
Thus far the farmers have made mol
ine nations in three of the FIVE Congre
W. ional districts of the State, and in t,
1.: 80: of these three their candidates will
u.o ~" endorsed by the Democrats at their &C
0io' vention to be held early in Septemb
General J. 81. Baker, campaign o
ins tor of more than State fame, who v
100 formerly commissioner Of pensions,
im' the Second district nominee, a
az he has already commenced
~ campaign. For many years
Aeo q. has been a low tariff man, which
. - plains his democratic endorsement.
chances are regarded as extremely fav
Uar able for his election. In the fifth
trict, which comprises the north
half of the state, Hon. K. Halvorser
we'll kr n Norwegian politician &
farmer, LAS been nominated by the f
aoly mers' Alliance, and ne, too, will be
rom dorsed by the Democrats. The dist
emo. is largely Scandinavian, and, with
sven feeling which exists against the pres
far congressman, Hon. S. G. Comstc
here caused by his votes for the McKlr
last [ and against the free coinage OF
can yer, the chances are decidedly favor
nm TO Mr.. Halvorsen's election,
lblv- In the Third district the Alliance
named W. ". Gamble for Congress,
he stands no show of election.
!. district will undoubtedly elect De
crat as it did in 1886. In the First
Fourth districts no nominations
was been made by the Farmers Allia
: ot and it is quite likely that the Democr
- - nominees for these offices will be
e. 70 dorsed when they are placed IN
ana field.