The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1898-01-06
Building Fences.

cans met in Fargo for the purpose of
deciding upon platform for the coming
campaign. The prohibition plank is the
center of attraction. From all reports it
looks as though a new party is talked of
and that few of those-not wanted
were there. The meeting was not as
harmonious as it might have been and
when this new element runs up against
the "old gang" as they call it; they will
lind some strong forces to buck. Among
others in attendance was j. j. Wamberg
from Hope. Speaking Of the meeting
the Argus says: 1T was attended by
about 100 men who are republicans, but
who were not all, as was supposed, men
of what has been termed the "cold
water wing of the republican party.
Many of those who attended the meeting
last evening supposed that it was for the
purpose of prouulgating plans for the
political campaign approaching discus.
sing the situation in general way, and
arranging if possible some measures to
defeat what they term the Mckenzie
element in state politics. This class of
men attended tie meeting to formulate
these plans to fight out the campaign
along these lines, but holding fast to the
principles of the republican party. as
adopted both in the state and national
platform.
There was another class Of men who
attended the meeting whose purpose was
two,fold one. They proposed to work
along lines as radical as those in the
prohibition platform, even going outside
republican party if necessary to advance
the cause of temperance in this state,
but all the time keeping under the band
OF the republican platform. There was
no discord in tho meeting. all agreeing
that it was the best interests of the
state to work against the machine" in
politics. as they termed it, but the one
side did not care to burden itself with
radical measures on the prohibition
question while the other side wanted to
carry this issue into every phase of the
work.
Hon. A. G. Rankin, the temperance
orator, led the forces on behalf of max
ing strong fight along prohibition lines,
While such men as David Bartlett, of
Cooperstown, and Others thought best
not to make the present movement along
prohibition lines.
Resolution after resolution was offered
and discussions followed, but no agree.
meat could be reached. The plan of Mr..
Rankin and his friends was to organize
clubs throughout the state under the
name of Republican Clubs said clubs
to be organized by an executive commit
tee selected from the meeting last eve.
ming, and they to be governed by strong
resolution along the prohibition lines.
Others thought that this was direct
slap in the face to tho republican party
IN the state, as the party had already in
its platform strong prohibition plank
These members thought that all needed
was the enforcement of the law, and to
get this they deemed it necessary to
work along republican lines working the
preliminaries and capturing the conven
tions, placing in nomination and electing
men who would sec to it that the laws
was enforced. Finally resolution was
offered by o. w. Francis to the effect
that the members present declare their
allegiance to the republican party reiter-
ating their faith in the principles of both
the republican state and national plat
forms. 1t was further resolved that
clubs be organized in every precinct in
the state to be called preliminary Re.
publican clubs" This resolution was
finally adopted.
A motion was made and seconded that
an executive committee of seven be
named to look after the work of organic.
ing these clubs. To this motion there
was again considerable objection as some
o. those present thought that the state
republican central committee should
first be advised as to the action of the
meeting. 1t was thought best to work
in accord with the state central commit
tee on all matters. The motion finally
carried and the members of the commit
tee were named. o. w. Francis is chair
man. 1t was urged on the part of many
present to defer the appointment Of any
committee or the election of officers un-
til another meeting could be called of a
more public nature and the date of
February II was then suggested.
There was those in the meeting who
have had long experience in politics in
this state who thought that to defeat the
machine" as they termed it the first
essential was to eliminate the war cry
of the proposed dclub-prohibition."
A new paper is soop to be started at
Cooperstown. according to the Finley
l..