The Dickinson press., 1904-07-30
Mr.. Phelan's Version of the Convention

dt Nrana FORKS july 20, 1904, though not
as sensational as the convention held
there tour years ago, was replete with
interest, and any one with an observing
mind was we'll rewarded for the time
spent in attendance. The lamentable
death OF Judge Cochrane and the turning
down of Congressman Spalding were the
main incidents of the convention.
If you doubt that North Dakota is
possessed of vigorous talent, and men of
energetic purpose and character, 90 to a
North Dakota convention. One Of the
chief duties OF party manager on such
an occasion is to ayi. - -, :, (
energetic eloquenCe, Gapaulc VI ,1unag
too much truth, or unmaskng the motives
of neighbors and fellow delegates.
The republican party of North Dakota
is top heavy with talent and patriotic
gentlemen, willing TO serve their state
without regard at all times to the real
interests of the state, or those admirable
principles of fellowship that we are often
sworn to cherish.
The republican party of North Dakota
is we'll organized and cleverly managed.
Our senators and congressman at Wash
ington are energetic and industrious and
accomplish much more for their state,
country and individual constituents
than they ever receive either pay or
credit for, and very few can have cause
for fault finding with the services rem
dered by our people at Washington.
While our senators at Grand Forks were
lined up at the recent convention with
the winning combination that left Spald-
ing off the map, four years ago they were
both left off the convention map with
Spalding, Winship and others, and as
conventions go, the same patriotic song
has been sung by the various factions in
turn, when gazing on the outside OF the
breastworks after the various combna-
tions were finally signed and sealed.
The convention was set for July 90,
but the work of the convention was ac-
complished the night of July l8. The
delegates from Stark, Billings and many
other counties arrived on a belated G.
N. train at noon on July 10. When it
came to sign up the Stark county dele
cation stood to and failed to sign. The
delegation voted solidly for Spalding as
per instructions received at the county
convention.
The ovation in the state. convention to
Congressman Spalding was splendid
tribute to the man. Senator Simpsons
speech on that occasion was repeatedly
applauded even by delegations pledged
to the combination, and voiced the senti-
ment not only of his delegation but the
people generally in this community.
While recognizing the inevitable, and
displaying no i'll will toward the party
managers. yet the principle of rewarding
faithful and efficient service was adhered
to and voiced with splendid effect, and
stands to the credit OF the speaker and
this community.
While various reasons are given Tor
Mr.. Spalding's defeat, a discerning mind
cannot avoid charging it to treason,
strategy and spoils-mainly spois and
factional fcuds in Cass county. The
pioneer politicians of Fargo and Cass
county fail to die young and having a
wonderful capacity for punishment are
hard to kill, SO continue to live in the
vigorous attitude of bold warriors. A
regime has been in power there that has
sidetracked from the pie counter all but
couple of the old chiefs and there has
been evidence for some time that the:
superintendent wuz Flannigan;
Boss av the siction wuz Finnigin;
X and this Finnigin
Reported to Flanagan
In Finnigln's shanty all that night
Bilin' down his report, was Finnigin!
An, he writed here: Mr.. Flannigan:
Off agin, on agin,
Gone agin-Finnigin."
And there you are, its just as clear
as mud.
While many complain of methods and
results, and unrest seems broadening in
scope Throughout the country, to my sober
jud dgment 1--WE as people have not much
to complain of politically, either against
those in power or those placed in nomi.
nation for places of trust on the republi-
can ticket. Should a chance come, to
hand our political affairs over to mex
perienced hands, insuring chronic unrest,
in place of the spasmodic variety now in
evidence, we would certainly pray to
have our present evils and masters re-
stored. And along the same line of
reasoning comes sincere regret at the
retirement of Congressman Spalding.
SO let us have peace-excepting where
it may be necessary to do an enemy good
and plenty. J. E. Phelan.