The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-11
WARNING "DEMS. :
IN SOUTH DAKOTA.
BOWLER'S STAND AGAINST FOR
NER SENATOR PETTIGREW. q
sOld Guard" Offended by the Healthy
Appetite for Office and the Activity
Shown by the Newcomers-Issue Of
Who Shall Run for President Incl
dental to the State Squabble.
Special to The Journal.

Sioux Falls, S. D., March 1.-THE hot
est contest that has ever been waged In
side Of the democratic party or south
Dakota is now on with the friends OF for
ner Senato PettigreW on the one side
md John Bowler, John EIanten and Fat
Wickham on the other. In 1885 Hanten
Ind Wickham were Cleveland democrats,
while Bowler was the chairman Of the
state central committee and
not only supported Bryan, but fought hard
for fusion with the populists and silver
republicans, which resulted in the loss OF
South Dakota by the republican party.
In 1898 Mr.. Bowler again supported the.
fusion and the silver movement and re-
tanned his craftsmanship Of his party. But
an unfortunate complication arose, owing
to the fact that a large part OF the funds
by the democratic candidates
on the state ticket were diverted by Mr..
Bowler to the payment Of political OBJ
legations incurred in the previous cam
paign. A fight was made on him as chair
man, and on Dan Conway, as secretary OF
the state central committee, and they were
defeated in 1900. They attempted in 1902
to e-establish themselves but suffered de-
feat again.
Mr.. Bowler has been devoting himself to
building up his fences in South Dakota
and has allied with himself the former
gold democrats, Wickham and Hanten.
why u Hey right FSIIlSES".'
1t became known sometime ago that
Senator Pettigrew wanted to go as a dele
gate to the democratic national conven-
ton. Bowler and his friends have only
one objection to the former senator, that
is the fear that his wide acquaintance
will give him an undue influence IN ma
tional politics, should a democratic presi-
dent be. elected. It is understood that Mr..
Bowler wants to be. United States marshal
and that Mr.. Hanten, should demo
cratic, president. be elected, would be a
candidate for United States district attor-
ney. They fear that there might be strong
and influential opposition should Senator
Pettigrew go to the ST. Louis convention at
the head of the delegation, or should e: S
johnson, or some other Pettigrew man, be
made national committeeman.
The plea Of Mr.. Bowler and his friends
is that the new accessions are attempting
to run the democratic party; they say
that Senator Pettigrew, Governor Lee, anG
B. H. Lien with their immediate friends
are =crowding out the old guard, which they
regard as unfair to the men who bore the
heat and burden of the day when the
democratic party was a much smaller at
fair in South Dakota than it is to-day
The opposition to Mr.. Bowler and hi
friends charge that they represent a small
number who want to maintain skeleton
party in South Dakota for the purpose o
controlling the federal spois whenever
democratic president shall be elected, ex
actly as the republicans in the southern
states maintain parties for the same rea
son. .,st-s.fo
! The most serious charge which has bee
brought against Mr. Bowler is that he i
incompetent as a political mana ger, an
| his enemies cite as an evidence of tina
! fact that he induced the democratic min
GRITTY in the last legislature to vote for
resolution congratulating Senator Kilt
redge on his .'magnificent record" in tn
/ United States senate. Mr.. Bowler explain
that his purpose was to extend a simpl
courtesy, and that he ha6po intention {
doing anything to boost the interests {
the republican senator. -
4 Presidential Candidate an Incident,
4 These are the real reasons for the cor
test in the democratic party in South De
l1ota. The Hearst and anti-Hearste fgl
is merely#an incident. 1t was known thu
Senator Pettigrew and his friends fav,
the endorsement Of Hearst for presiden
, The opposition at once took up candidac
Of former President Cleveland, Senat,
and General Miles, according to the loca
ity in which they thought a particul;
candidate would be- the strongest. Wi
Pettigrew and his friends it Is Hear
against the held.
Both sides claim strength enough
carry the convention, but the shown
made in the committee meeting at Hurt
!. appears hardly to warrant the claims
' the Bowler faction. AS a matter of fe
the committee stood fifteen for Bowler al
+ thirty-fv for .Pettigrew, and Bowler h,
) the proxy from Lawrence county. WIFI,
county will prevent Pettigrew DELEGATE,
l. 10 tho eta to convention