The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-12-21
CORROBORATED,
The Dark History Of the Past I'm This
State.

The Dark History Of the Past I'm This
State.
Editor Representatives. have read your
editorial under the caption, "False," in last
issue concerning the attitude Of S. NJ. Owen
toward yourself during your candidacy for
governor in 1892.
I can cOrroborate your statement that
he 'refrained from saying a single word for
Mr.. DOnnelly as the candidate of the party
at Preston. I remember the circumstance
well. I had on several occasions discussed
your merits with valued friend who was
quite strongly opposed to you, and it so
happened that We went in company to hear
Mr.. Owen. On the way my friend said:
Now, Warren. if Owen says tonight, Vote
for Donnelly,' I'll vote for him." I took
him at his word and of course followed
Mr.. Owens remarks with the utmost inter-
est In fact I took notes throughout, and
when he concluded without having once
mentioned your name l was much dfsap-
pointed. I realized that owing to a false
prejudice against you here, spread by some
of Mr.. Ovens particular friends. there were
many more in the large audience who were
only waiting for Owen to give the word
"Vote for Donnelly." Many Of his friends
in Fillmore county voted for Dan Lawler,
the Democratic candidate that year. But I
excused Owen for this. as did his wanting
Is to l left out of our platform in 1894. and
also his work at st. Louis in 1896, believing
him honest but guided by a false notion
Of methods and policy. But when 1 saw
our convention Of last June harmonious for
cooperation upon the citizens Independent
ticket plan and then witnessed the work Of
Owen, Dobbyn, Bowler. Gibbs, Stacy, Aus
tin, ct al, in plunging the convention into
the utmost discord possible without riot
and bloodshed, and then bulldozing their pie
hunting game through by ignoring honest
v~1f ,t1rx otto
ing the right of free speech, then it was
that lost all confidence in the honesty of
Ovens motives. Did not Hennepin county
with it's 100 votes turn the scale for fusion
in a vain endeavor to secure the removal
of DObbyn from the national committee?
And did not Renville county cast 10 votes
for fusion on temporary organization be-
cause Chairman Gibbs arbitrarily admitted
a delegation contested by such men as Ham,
lin V. Poore. Lastly, did not Mr.. Ovens
right bower, Bowler. put the capstone on
the magnificent structure of honorable CO.
operation" by proposing to have the no
torious Austin appoint state central COM
mittee to care for the interests of the Peo-
pies Party? Not only did Bowler make this
motion, but he commended for it, even after
Thomas J. Meighen explained that the pre-
vious practice had been to elect the COM
mittee by congressional districts. These are
facts that defy controversion. They are the
footprints Of S. M. Owen and his supporters.
Those who like their trend may follow
them but they cannot blame Ignatius DON
nelly and his friends for allowing them to
go unadvisedly.
Right forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne,
But that scaffold sways the future,
And behind the dim unknown
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above his own
w. E. CUMMINGS.
Preston. Fillmore county, Mimi, Dec. 10.
1893