The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-07
DEBS, FOR PRESIDENT
PROBABLE CANDIDATE OF THE So
CIAL DEMOCRATS, NOW IN SEES
SION IN INDIANAPOLIS
PARTY POLICY Is OUTLINED.

willing to Absorb, but Not to Fuse
With, Any Party That VIII Join
I'm Issues Promulgated by the
Social Democrats - Believes In
Trusts, hut Wants Them Con-
trOIIed by the Government.
INDIANAPOLIS, March 6-The first
national convention OF the Social Demo-
cratic party for the purpose Of nominat-
ing candidates for president and vice
president met today at 10 o'clock, in
Reichwein's hall. About fifty delegates
were present. Many were expected to ar
rive during the day. Several Of the dele
gates carried proxies.
The two matters OF Importance before
the convention are the nominations and
absorption Of the Socialist Labor Party,
which is a boiling" section Of the
Social Labor Party. of which Daniel
De Leon. Of New York. was the dividing
power. His side was sustained In court,
In controversy over the party emblem.
The "bolting' section named J. B. Har-
riman, Of California. for president, and
Max Hayes, of Cleveland. o.. for vice
president.
1t is proposed that the Socialist Labor
party. with approximately 1900 members,
amalgamate with the Social Democrats
and accept the nominees Of that party.
There is also some talk of afusion with the
Middle-of-the-road Populists E. V. Debs.
V. l.. Barger and other leaders, however.
say the Social Democrats will enter fusion
with no party. but will absorb any. 1t
Is now believed that Debs will be made
the presidential candidate. If he should
be nominated. Hartman will likely be the
candidate for vice president.
Jesse Cox. chairman Of the national ex-
ecutive committee called the convention
to order. He called the delegates Com
rades." and they ever after called the
presiding officer "comrade" and each
other comrades. The temporary chair
manship was In turn offered to Eugene
Y. Debs and Mr.. Cox, both declining be-
cause of other duties on the board. w.
Mailly, of Haverhill was selected tenn
poraFy chairman by reclamation.
committees on rules and credentials
were then appointed. During the recess
that followed the national executive oom-
mittee met and considered the reports
submitted to the convention.
PERMANENT OFFICERS.
AL TINS afternoon 8 session Frederick
A. Strickland. OF Chicago. was elected per-
manent secretary and Messrs. Putnam
and johnson assistants. Mr.. Grueling Of
this city was elected sergeant-at arms.
1t was shown that there were sixty-two
delegates, with 1915 votes. from seventeen
states.
Secretary Stedman. of the executive
board. then made his report, giving an
account Of the various meetings which the
board has held since June IL, 1898.
Eugene V. Debs introduced q resolu-
ton providing for the selection of COM
mittee. Of three to receive the committee
representing the socialist labor party,
which will arrive today. The following is
the reception committee: e. V. Debs.
Indiana: Victor Berger. Wisconsin; James
F. Carey. Massachusetts.
Eugene V. Debs said in an interview
today:
The Social Democratic party believes
In trusts, but also believes In the public
ownership of them. We look upon them
as blessings in disguise, and We also
believe it is impossible to regulate them
by legislation. The only way to make
them benefit to the laboring masses Is
for the government to own and control
them"