The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-06-15
LIVELY SESSIONS
OF The POPULlSTS
Members Of That Party in Minnesota
Made History More Rapidly Than
1t Could BE Recorded

There were between 400 and 500 delegates
present when Chairman Gibbs called the
Populists to order at IL o'clock yesterday in
Normanna Hall. There was an air of ex-
pectancy among the delegates present A
hight was expected, and 1t came at the very
outset 1t had been arranged that J. M.
Bowler. OF Renville. should be the candidate
OF the fusion forces for chairman, but as
there was contesting delegation from Rem
Vile, Mr.. Bowlers candidacy was deemed
inexpedient, and Senator E. H. Reishus, of
Lyon county, was substituted. Senator
Reishus was placed in nomination by Sena-
tor Ringdal. Of Polk county. Delegate Ar
mold. Of Redwood, placed in nomination T.
}. Meighen, of Fillmore county, who had
been agreed upon by the mid-roaders. Maj.
E. A. Hotchkiss, of Preston, seconded Mr..
Meighen's nomination, as did Erick Olson,
Of Martin county.
L. II. Austin set the convention wild with
enthusiasm In seconding the nomination Of
Senator Reishus. Mr.. Austin declared open
~ for fusion, and the reception which met
his remarks served to demonstrate the fact
that the majority of those present were out
and out fusionisus.
A. D. Stewart. Of Redwood, followed in
behalf of Mr.. Meghen, and A. E. Ball, of
Dodge, for Reishus Then S. M. Owen took
the floor and delivered a glowing eulogy Of
Senator Reishus, and called the attention
OF the delegates to the fact that the contest
between the two men meant much more
than simply who should preside. 1t meant
vote upon widely divergent principles
When Mr.. owen concluded Mai. Hotchkiss
again got the floor long enough to explain
that he was not an aoherent of any fac
ton.
The convention was becoming impatient,
ana loud cries interrupted the speakers
Daf oraer was restored aa when Ignatus Don
nln
told the delegates that the question at is
sue might as we'll be understood at once.
II was a question whether the PeOples
party should survive or be merged into the
Democratic organization.
Mr.. Austin asked Mr.. Donnelly how he
securei his election to the legislature
It caused a laugh when Mr.. DonneIly adj
mitted that he was nominated by the Pop
pllsts and Endorsed by the Democrats, but
he protested that fusion upon minor con-
tests meant little; that state and national
1uslon was a graver and much more i'm
p straan Ina matter Mr. Donnelly made a
He was interrupted several times, but held
MS IS, own until he had concluded.
Inc uproar was then so great that Chair
man Gibbs cut off debate by putting the
matter mater; to vote. which was taken by
The first row occurred when an attempt
was made to vote the regular fusion dele
cation from Renville county
thu Ma}i ihoschkss suggested that the vote Of
IGIerred TO the committee on credentials,
Wn en- that should be appointed. A member
OF the Plpestone delegation raised the point
tnat II no notice of contest had been filed
WITT the chairman or the secretary, there
was no contest before the convention. and
me regular delegation should be seated.
delegation be seated p. H. Rahilly anpeai-
ca from the decision of the chair. rising
vote sustained the chair and the Renyille
fusionists were seated o
Mover county was represented by lust
one delegate, who posed as Chairman sec
rotary and sergeart-at-arms and voted the
whole IL TO winch his county was entitled
Major Hotchkill claimed that the gentle
man was a resident of Minneapolis
VOTE FOR CHAIRMAN
The vote for chairman resulted in a VIC
tory for the fusion forces and was as fol-
lows: