The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-09-14

THAT COMMITTEES MEETING.
Prospect Of Harmony.
i The Fusion-Populist state central
committee met in St. Paul, Sept 6, 1899.
The Minneapolis Journal says:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this COM
mttee that the national peoples party con-
vention for 1900 should be held before either
the Republican or the Democratic conven-
tions. .s
That is the text of a resolution which the
Peoples party state central committee yes
terday adopted to the amazement of all who
have interested themselves in the probable
attitude of the Minnesota Populists on this
question of the time of holding the con-
vention. The Peoples party Of Minnesota is
now on record as approving the Omaha
agreement pledging the party to a conven-
ton prior to that Of the Democrats, and
Chairman Butler Of the national committee
has received something of rebuff. At least
the impression prevails that Mr.. Butler ia
vors convention simultaneous with that of
the Democrats
1t was on the cards that another resou-
ton was to be adopted This latter reso-
luton was offered by z. H. Austin, secretary
OF the committee and assistant state in
surance commissioner, and is understood to
have been approved by Chairman Francis H.
Clarke. 1t favored the holding of the ma
tiOnal convention mot earlier than June"
which meant that it would be held at the
same time or after the Democratic conven-
ton. substitute resolution was proposed
identical with the one adopted except that
1T provided for a state convention before
either the Democrats or the Republicans.
This represented the views of the extremists
who are dissatisfied with Governor Lind's
administration. The clause applying to the
state was stricken out without much oppo-
sition, and then the substitute resolution
was adopted by vote of to 4.
T. ]. Meighen of Fillmore county. one of
Minnesota's three members of the Peoples
party national committee, is delighted with
the action OF the state committee in respect
to the time of holding the national conven-
ton. 1T suits me exactly" he said. 1T
fits my personal opinion, and l am glad to
know that 1 have the state central COM
mittee behind me. It does not follow that
am opposed to co-operatiOn-I hate the term
fusion. On the contrary 1 am in favor of.
cooperation with the Democrats and Silver
Republicans whenever our party is given the
recognition it is entitled to, and the plat
forms are right" This statement of Mr..
Meighen's contains the whole situation in a
nutshell The Populsts feel that the only
way they can get fair recognition in ma
tional politics is to hold their conventions
before the Democrats. They want to name
the vice presidential nominee. They will
meet at their early convention and nominate
Bryan and some Populist who ought to be
acceptable to the Democrats. Then if the
Democrats refuse to indorse the man named
for vice president there will be trouble.
We are glad the committee adopted
that resolution about holding our ma
tional convention first. This will tend
to simplify things; and, with the unani-
nous action of the Populists of the
South, indorsing the Cincinnati plat
form and ticket (subject to a referen-
dunn vote), will leave no excuse for Sen
ator Butler to break the Omaha agree
ment.
The skies begin to clear. For while
it is evident that some of our Minnesota
ex-fusionists would favor Bryans nomi
nation, there is no probability that such
course would have any support in the
Populist national convention, made up
largely, as it will be, of Southern dele
gates, from constituents who have been
fighting the shotgun, ballot-box-s stuff
ing-Democrats all their lives, and who
fully understand their greed and self
ishness.
That committee meeting was an inter
esting one. The Minneapolis Times
says:
The hottest meeting in the life of the
Populist state central committee was held
at the Clarendon hotel, St. Paul, yester-
day afternoon 1t extended over four hours
The outcome was roast Of the admins
tratiOn of Governor Lind and complete tri-
umph of mid-road ideas. So strong was the
feeling against the present state executive
that resolution indorsing his policy in
troduced by Frank Warner of Buffalo Lake
was not even voted on.
I'VE have no time to consider such mat
ters,' said one of the committee when it
was presented. 1t was literally kicked
through the door of the room. And along
with it was the official regard Of the COM
mittee for Secretary Rosing, chairman of
the Democratic central committee.
why. I tell you that I've been insulted
right in the Office of Governor Lind" said
Adolph Paradis, of St. Paul. 81 have been
insulted by Rosing.e Why should we support
an administration which is run by Tom
O'Brien and Pierce Butler? They control
Rosing and he controls Lind
Maj. Hotchkiss. of Preston. the stalwart
champion of reform. who was blacklisted by
the soldiers home board, led the opposition
forces at the meeting. He was vitriolic and
fussy. No move which might possibly be
construed into a temperate regard for CIV.
Lind was considered even for a minute by
him.
Chairman Francis H. Clarke, of st. Paul.
and z. H. Austin, of Duluth, the latter dep
uty insurance commissioner, stood by the
governor. They urged fusion and a wise
moderation. But they were overridden.
Railroad Commissioner Ringdal broke in
on the meeting when it was about half
through His entrance was at the time
when the members we're engaged in their
warmest dispute. It took him but a mo-
ment to grasp the situation. With clever
diplomacy he exchanged a word and a shake
of the hand with most of the members and
withdrew.
The first fight was over the resolution
bearing on an early national convention.
1t was carried after hot discussion. The
four who opposed it were Richard Calvin,
z. H. Austin, F. N. Stacy and J.. Mosher .
The following resolution, introduced by F.
N. Stacy. Of Minneapolis, was allowed to
pass Mr.. Stacy presented several which
were summarily dealt with. 1t was said to
allowed this one to prevail. It read:
Resolved, That the members Of this COM
mittee hereby be instructed to take up the
work of organization in their respective dis
tricts and to facilitate that work they for
ward to the chairman of this committee the
names of all existing committees and any
other information that may aid this commits
tee in its work of organization"
In their fight for the state administrator,
Messrs. Clarke and Austin were supported
by Mathew and Warner During its progress
the chief feature developed was the tilt be-.
tween Hotchkiss and Austin. sHotchkiss