The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-19
A BREATH OF LIFE
F1ickertail Democracy Hopes to Be
Able to Take It. ..--~
CAMPAIGN PLANS ARE MAKING
Purcell Expected to Lead OFF and
Benton May Lend Help
ing Hand. .-......
Special to The Journal.

special 10 the journal. -
Grand Forks. N. D., March 19--North
Dakota democrats are discussing plans for
reorganization. W. E. Purcell, the Wah-
peton attorney, is looked upon as the
much needed Moses this year, and will
be The chairman Of the state committee
II he Gamble prevailed upon to accept it.
Populism is SO dead in the state that
fusion is out of the question. There is
some bitterness on the part Of the Bryan
wing OF the party against the gold demo
Gratis. This feeling will be carried into
the convention, but it is thought that the
urgent necessity of both factions getting
together il order to maintain some kind
of an organization will serve in the end
to patch up differences. .
Mr.. Purcell is on good terms with both
factions and one of the few men in the
state who can do q good job at harmonic
ing democrats. Thomas kleinogel, chair
man of the old democratic committee, has
disposed of his interests here, and will
probably leave North Dakota. J. B.
Mooney, of this city, is secretary Of the
fusion committee. Many of the demo-
Gratis do not wish to reorganize the fusion
or acknowledgements organization in
the remodeling of the party. They sug-
gest calling a meeting Of the old demo-
cratic state committee as constituted be-
fore fusion had put it in the shade and
! proceed on that basis. - &
The nomination of Bryan and his fusion
policy brought many populists into demo-
cratic ranks. AS the old-time d democratic
organizers and workers retired these new
occasions became very active. It did not
take long under this order Of things to
put the democrats as fighting organiza-
ton in sorry shape. Democrats anxious
! TO see the party again in good fighting
trim desire to secure the assistance of
the old. timers, most of whom couldn't go
Bryan. This is naturally distasteful to
the newer brand of democrats, but indi-
! cations are now that the gold wing will
be very much iE evidence in party coun-
{ ellis. r-
| There is no talk of candidates. The first
| work is to make an organization. Men
who will compose the next democratic
ticket will have as reward only the sat
isfaction that they are doing the party a
service. Notwithstanding, many of the
| leading democrats believe the party will
be able to- place ticket in the field made
| up of some Of the best men in the party
ranks.
| Along the lines Of activity displayed
now there is reason to believe that men
friendly to David B. Hill of New York
as presidential possibility, intend to
secure the North Dakota delegation for
| him. Prediction is already made that
| North Dakota democrats in 1904 will de-
|
speculation as to whether John D. Ben
| ton, of Fargo can be induced to go into
active politics again. Colonel Benton is
| generally regarded as the leading demo-
| crat of the state. He has taken no part
! in politics since 1896. 1t is doubtful if
he would care to sacrifice his business
| interests to contribute as much time to
| the party's service as he did previous to
| 1896 Along with other Cass county
democrats who want to see the old party
restored to it's former dignity and use
fulness, Colonel Benton may be willing to
participate to some extent in the work OF
reorganization. Ed. Cole and c. H. An
heier of Cass county, ]. L. Cashel, Of
Walsh; Tracy R. Bangs, w. A. Joy, Judge
| Templeton, George A. Bangs, and Thomas
Regan, of Grand Forks county; II. D. AL
lert, Charles Plain, and f. w. Mclean,
of Cavalier county; John Burke, Of Ro-
lette; and Andrew BleWett, OF jamestown
are among those who are expected to
do much toward injecting new life into
the democratic fighting machine.