The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-31
A BIT OF HISTORY !.
First DemocraticCo Convention Held In
What IL Now Smith Dakota.

E. + = :
vERMILLION, s.. D.-The passing Of the
populist party In South Dakota and its join
ing hands with the democrats under one
ticket gave rise to much comment in every
! political circle. Especially Is this true In
regard TO old-time denocrats-those who have
resided in the country ever since the first
democratic convention was held. L. w. Case
| OF sYankton. who has resided there since
early IN the sixties, paid a visit to this
city and met such pioneers as Franklin Tay-
lor, A. A. Partridge, N. ". Ross and others.
He brought with him asfaded document Of
the hrst call for democratic convention
| ever made In the territory.
This call, It would SEEM was the result
Of the failure OF the territorial state CEN
tral committee to issue a call. The majority
of that committee, known. as = Douglas demo-
Gratis. " were personally friendly to KidIer,
the "insurgent republican nominee for con :
gress and agreed to call mo conventions for
that year, but to turn In and help the Kid
der faction defeat the machine nominee
Sphinx. But there was one on the commit
tee who did not sanction any such proceed
ing, and, being defeated In the committee,
went before the people with his contention for
straight democratic ticket. That member
was Frank Taylor from Clay county. Sew
eral eastern democrats had also drifted to
the territory, and they were favorable to
Taylor's plans. And the call was made as
follows:
In consequence Of the failure Of the demo.
cratic central COMMITTEES of the territory to call
a convention at their called session on the
25th inst, iWe, the undersigned democrats,
feeling the Importance of a full and thorough
organization OF the democracy OF the terri
hereby call a territorial democratic conven-
ton to be held IN the town hall OF svermll-
lion, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1855, for the purpose
of nominating delegate in congress, terrific
md
public instruction. and to transact such other
business as may properly come before II.
While our democratic brethren IN all the
selves on the side of democracy It seems that
we of the territory are the only ones@who
dare not avow our principles. 3 Il +. y =. =
Never was there time in the history OF our
country since the days Of Jefferson, in which
its interests were SO deeply involved and
therefore, holding these opinions, which We
believe to be the sentiments of the democracy
OF the territory, we see t1t to make this call,
and confidently expect to meet our fellow
democrats in convention on that auspicious
day. s5 ;gS. 44f .>
We cordially invite all persons who believe
that the time has come for a change in our
national policy, and who are not identified
with either the republican or the so-called
peoples" party to meet us on this occasion
The ratio of representation from the several
counties will be one delegate for each mem
ber Of the legislative assembly The different
counties entitled to representation are re-
Quested to assemble at their respective coun-
ty seats or at such other places may be
convenient, on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 1868. - .s.i
On the date of the convention goodly
number of democrats from the settled coun-
ties OF the territory met IN the old log
schoolhouse in Vermillion, adopted a plat
form and nominated a set Of officers. The
convention was called to order by j. W. Tur-
ner Of Clay county, who. offered the name Of
Michael Ryan of Union county as temporary
chairman, with Frank Taylor and J. B. Van
Velsor as temporary secretaries. The con-
vention was harmonious and brought forward
the following ticket: Delegate to congress,
]. B. S. Todd; treasurer. w. Turner; audi
tor, Michael Ryan; superintendent Of schools.
James Kesin. Isl; t5se;,sSs5s.l. X s ID. Z
Having nominated their ticket the faith
full democrats opened the campaign in ear
nest A campaign paper, the Dakota Demo
crat, was started and, published that fall,
with Mr.. Case. as editor 1.-The campaign was
short but furious. and for a time it looked
as though the democrats were to win In the
three -cornered fight. This. however. was not
the case. for the machine won out, and
tho Sioux Falls crowd Was again victorious.