The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1894-09-07
POPULIST CONVENTION.
Detailed Report of Yesterdays Con-
vention at Good Thunder
The Resolutions.
The Afternoon Session of the Con-
vention Began Promptly
After Dinner.

The convention assembled promptly
after dinner.
The following additional delegates
were reported present by the creden-
tial committee:
Judson-D. w. Evans.
McPherson-Thos. Ryan, James
Fields.
Butternut Valley. G. Meyers.
Vermont. Cook, S. f. Fleming.
Beauford-G. Jones.
The following telegram was receiv-
ed from Judge Severance at this
point:
'Safest way is to let your conven-
tion go by the board and call an
other"
This was read by the chairman, who
explained that the matter had been
presented to Judge Severance, as to-
day is a legal holiday-Labor Day.
A. NJ. Morrison stated that he and
G. L. King had consulted E. p. Free
man as to the legality of holding the
convention on a holiday. Mr.. Free
mar had looked up the authorities
and held that it was legal. Judge
Severance had also assured them that
it would be proper to hold the con-
vention today. The speaker felt like
doubling the authenticity of the tele-
gram.
G. L. King thought the telegram a
fraud and favored disregarding it.
A. H. Matteson said that he had
spoken to Judge Severance on the
matter, and he had made light OF it,
and he would want Judge Severance's
personal statement before he believed
the telegram authentic. Judge Sew
erance said that WaShington's BIRTH
day is the only holiday upon which
labor is forbidden.
w. Webb made a ringing speech,
claiming that as American citizens
they had a right to meet and hold a
convention. He said that certain in
iuences r at work to prevent the
holding of any convention by the Pop
ulists. The people had won their
rights in the wal and should stand by
them. This was applauded.
Mr.. Hickok said that he was an old
soldier and had fought for three years
in the wal and it might be necessary
to fight again for the peoples rights.
He held that it was legal to hold the
convention, today, holiday or not.
TO FUSE OR NOT
K. KnutsOn introduced the follow
ing resolution:
WHEREAS, experience has taught us
that fusion has been detrimental to
the progress of u party, therefore
be it
ReS0lred, by the Peoples Party of
Blue Earth county, in convention as
shall be nominated at this convention
unless he declares his allegiance to
our platform and to give it his undi-
Vided support.
Mr.. KnutsOn advocated his reSolu-
tion with some lengthy remarks, say
ing that the party had had experience
with fusion two years. ago, when
everything bearing the marks of Pop
lism was rejected. The resolution
marks out the only consistent course
to take. He was particularly opposed
to fusion on the legislative nominees.
The other parties denounce the Pop
ulists as cranks and anarchists, and
even call our grand leader, Owen, a
demagogue. If we have fusion, our
ticket will be a regular mongrel, and
cannot stand on our platform.
A. NJ. Morrison opposed the resolu-
ton, as the greatest thing wanted is
to secure as many votes for Owen as
possible, and to send four good men
to st. Paul pledged to vote against
Washburn. l would fuse with anybody
to accomplish that. In other states
victory was % accomplished at one
fell swoop, but was led by the aid of
reform Democrats. For Heavens
sake, gentlemen, let us fuse with any
body, everybody, to down plutocracy.
If we pass that resolution what can
we do in Blue Earth county? | have
dUUC1luGu lCpuO1lOdh duu III olO
conventions, but never saw any such
resolution as that introduced.
f. V. Golf called attention to how
the Republicans had fought slavery
on principle. Two years ago the Pop
ulists of this county fused, and the re-
suit was defeat. Let us not surrender
our principles to obtain few votes.
The people are sick of this admins
tration and want a change.
Thos. Lowry, of the Cement works,
advocated the resolution, saying that
any number of laboring men would
vote the Populist ticket if there was
a "good, gentleman platform"
Mr.. Wilson, of Garden City, who
was not a delegate, advocated the res
olution, being opposed to the sacrifice
of principles for a few votes. Moth
ing could be accomplished by fusing,
as the Populists ideas will be thrown
out.