The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-11
ODELL ACCEPTS DEMOCRATIC
NOMINATION FOR SEC
RETARY OF STATE
URGES PARTY UNION
FOR COMMON GOOD
Nominee of Two Conventions Calls on
Populists to Stand for Principle and
Reform Rather Than Organization
Stripped of Its Former Prestnge by
Republican Gag Legislation.

Any doubts about the intentions of
Sturgeon Odell, nominee of the Demo-
cratic and Populist parties for secre-
tary OF state have been set at rest by
an open letter to Victor E. Lawson,
chairman of the Peoples Party state
central committee.
Under the gag law passed by a Re-
publican legislature Mr.. Odell is unable
to. accept both nominations, and reeog-
nizing the death blow the Republicans
struck at the party in which he was a
recognized leader, and that in union
against common foe lies the only
chance of reform, he declares himself
a Democrat
The letter points out that the basic
principle of the Peoples party organi-
cation was reform, and principle be-
fore party; that the Democrats of Min
nesota are abreast of the times, stand
for the reforms which should satisfy
the conservative believers in SubStan-
tial progress, and calls upon the mem
bers of the Peoples party to join with
the Democrats for the reforms they
seek.
Letter Kindly and Honest.
The letter is kindly, fearless, honest,
characteristic of the writer, and un-
doubtedly expresses the views of a
very large number of Populists who
have deemed it wisest to join hands
with the Democrats and pull together
as Democrats, since the Republican
gag law has stripped their party organ
ization Of its former prestige.
Marshall Mimi, July Victor e. Law
son. Chairman of the Peoples Party State
Central Committee: Dear Sir and
Brother: The Peoples party was the off
spring of unjust political and social con
dItlons and and the resultant discomfort
At the birth of the party its first dis
tinct utterance and the first motto IN
scrlped upon its banners was Principle
above party"
This was our campaign slogan and the
one upon Which we made such telling APP
peals to the voters of Minnesota we ex-
horted them to forget party affiliations and
narty names and stand upon declaration
OF principles which, if Incorporated into
law, would adequately redress our griev-
ances. .,r
Since that the campaigns of education
have aroused and awakened the public an
telilgence to the worlds progress and its
requisite political changes.
The Democrats of the great state Of
minnesota are abreast of the times and
at their recent state convention adopted a
platform of principles which in my judg-
ment should satisfy every prudent con-
SENTATIVE man of progress. IT
NOW that we are in the minority in the
state, and overwhelmingly so in the ma
ton, 1t seems to me that in a spirit of
fairness and sincerity, we should apply
the motto of Principle above party and
stand square with them upon that declara-
ton; assist in maintaining the organiza-
ton upon those principles, and hereafter
make our influence felt not only in the
state, but in national conventions.
l enjoy the honor of having recently been
dominated by both the Democrats and
Populists for the position of secretary of
state, which mark of distinction J most
sincerely appreciate. However,, the law
Of Minnesota will not allow me to accept
both nominations, and / am compelled
to choose between them. Therefore, in
view of the above and foregoing, I con-
scientiously and iunhestitatingly accept
the Democratic nomination. Sincerely
ana fraternally yours,
Sturgeon Odell.