St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-25
THIRD WARD ALONE LIVELY.
Claimed the Caucus There
Was Packed in Kiichli'S
Interest.
RATHER AGAIsST FUSION
Is the Complexion of Most of
the Delegations
Elected. >

The Populists Of Min neapolis held
thirteen primaries last evening, one in
each ward, and while In some cases they
were lively affairs, in the majority of
the wards they were characterized by
Sunday school quiet. The meetings
were held for the purpose Of electing
delegates to the Populist city. county
and congressional conventions which
will be held early next week at Labor
Temple. In most cases but one set of
delegates was elected.
The attendance seems to have varied
in some of the wards, and the results
are rather indefinite. The sentiment
appears to be against fusion, although
in some cases fusion delegates were
chosen. Where there was any oppOsi-
ton to fusion 1t was violent, and it is
noticeable that the Populist strongholds
are opposed to fusion.
There are three names mentioned for
congress, DR.. E. f. Clark, E. E. Stevens
and Rev. S. w. Sample. but it is i'm
possible to tell which has the majority
of the delegates. This is the trouble in
most cases, for there has been very
little talk about candidates. and the
delegates are keeping their mouths
sealed when 1t comes to asking them
for their preferences.
There was trouble IN the Third ward,
and 1t is possible that the convention
will refuse to recognize the delegates
selected. 1t is claimed that the caucus
was packed in the interest OF Aid.
Kiichli, who wants to 20 to the state
senate, and all present made such a
noise that it was impossible to do any
business, and the Populists Of that
ward are fortunate in succeeding
In selecting any delegates at
all. The fight was between
the Tom Lucas contingent and the OUT
siders, and they fought hard. Gag law
predominated, and the chairman, a
Lucas man. decided every question as
Tom wanted him to. At one time about
half of the people in the hall were
shouting and Yelling at each other, while
many were shaking their fists in each
others faces and calling each other liars.
Tom Lucas finally worked through a
motion declaring certain twenty-thIee
men elected delegates, although the
great majority voted against the mo-
ton. There was great dissatisfaction,
and Paul Fontaine, member of the
Populist state central committee, de-
clared that the entire proceedings were
Illegal, and he would fight the delegates
on the floor of the convention. This is
perhaps because he was turned down
for chairman and then for delegate.
The meeting declared almost unani-
mously against fusion, although the
chairman did not ask for the negatives.
In the First ward the Democrats took
hold and tried to run the meeting, and
it is believed that some of the delegates
elected are favorable to fusion, although
strong antl-fuSiOn resolutions were
odopted. The Second ward was strongly
against fusion, but everything passed
off quietly. The Fourth ward had an
immense attendance, and as the Aus
trallan ballot system was used, the
tellers were still counting the ballots at
midnight. The Fifth ward had quiet
time, DIR. E. F. Clark practically run.
ming things. 1t took considerable time
to get through. and it Is believed that
the delegates elected are favorable to
fusion. The Sixth ward is strongly
against fusion. In this ward the caucus
was lively. but there was no bitter
Wrangli ng, as in the Third ward.
The Sc ventR ward meeting was quiet,
as was the Eighth ward. In the latter
case it is believed that the delegates
are favorable to fusion. In most of the
other cases there was little excite ment
and the election of delegates was about
all that occupied the time.