St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-25
The Admirable Record of the
Democrats of That Dis
trict in the Past.
Success Has Been Fairly and
Honestly Won Because 1t
Was Deserved.
Something About the Men
Who Made Up the Conven-
ton Of Tuesday.
Austin Covered Herself With
Glory and Is a Great Con-
vention City.

There is good deal in deserving sue
cess, and this is as true of political par
ties as of individuals. To the man who
has watched the politics of the First
congressional district of this state in
years past. the convention that met in
the city of Austin ON Tuesday afforded
great deal of food for thought. If
ever band of men have deserved and
earned success the Democrats of the
First district have. In all their cam
paigns since the apportionment made
eleven years ago. good candidates, men
OF high character and ability have in
variably been placed in the field. Some
times they have been elected, but more
frequently defeat perched upon the
banners OF the party. But defeat had
no terror for the Democracy of South
eastern Minnesota, and at each success
Sive election the faithful have met in
convention and put their best man for
ward.
The apportionment following the
census of 1880 took effect at the con-
gresSional election in 1882, when the
Democrats chose as their standard
bearer Hon. A Bierman, the present
state auditor. Mr.. Bierman was young
"
good part of the district, meeting the
people at their homes and placing the
situation before them. The result at
the polls surprised the opposition, Hon.
Milo White, the Republican candidate,
having but $40 votes more than MIR.
herman, and actually lacking about
500 votes of having majority in
the district. Two years later Mr..
Bierman was again the nominee
of his party, and Mr.. White,
aided by the great popularity of James
e. Blaine, was only able to muster a
plurality of $500 in the district, al
though Mr.. Blaine carried the state by
over &c, 900.
The campaign of 1886 is still fresh in
the minds of the people of the First dis
trict. Judge Thomas Wilson, Of Wi
mona, was nominated by the Democrats,
while the Republicans named Hon. John
A. Lovely. The campaign was vigor-
ouSly waged and the result was the cleo
ton of Judge Wilson by majority of
almost 5000. The presidential election
of 1888 was carried into the congress
sional fight, and, although Judge Will
son ran ahead Of his ticket and made a
brilliant campaign, he WAS defeated by
1,S00 votes, aud ex-CongreSsman Dun
nell was again sent to Washington.
Dub lilo ISdNCu was VOI htitSs HC
young men and the independent voters
of the district were rapidly increasing
in numbers, and the course of the De-
mocracy excited their admiration. The
freedom from factional quarrels of the
Democracy of the district pleased them,
and the able and clean Candidates put
up by the party presented strong and
favorable contrast to the Whites, Dun
nellS and LOvefyS named by the opposi-
ton. With the voters in this frame OF
| mind the Republicans passed the Nc
KInIey bill, and then the First district
machine renominated Dir. Dunnell. Tha
Democrats took up the popular Houston
county leader, Capt.W. FL. HarrieS. and
ut the election sent him to Washington
with majority of nearly $500.
And the election of Capt. Harries two
years ago undoubtedly was the turning
point in the history of the politics Of
the district. That this is correct was
shown by the enthusiastic manner in
which the representatives of the ten
counties that make up the new First
turned out at Austin and renOminated
the gallant eX-member of the fam GUS
IRON brigade. The delegates came
stronger in numbers, stronger in cOur
age and enthusiasm, and filed with the
thought that success is to be theirs
again this year. This great turnout,
ana the enthusiastic ratification meet
ing which followed, was regarded by
all as suspicious and the sure forerun-
ner of success.