The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-22
SOUTH DAKOTA TOPICS.

The republican state convention is but
six weeks away. 1t will probably be the
hrst held IN the northwest for the nomi-
MARION or full state ticket. The leaders
81 the party elected to hold two conyen-
lions IN one and do up all the business at
once One OF their aims will be to kill off
Mr.. Crawford. To this end it is charged
by the Crawfordites that they selected the
early date for the convention and decided
upon but one instead of the customary
two. ~
The pre-convention campaign is much
the fiercest in the history of the state. Mr..
Crawford has been on the aggressive from
the hrst and has never let up on the ma
chine" On the surface the contest in
wolves the governorship alone; very little
IS heard OF candidates for other offices 1t
Is give and take between Crawford's fol-
lowing on one side and the party leaders
ter side disliked Crawford at the outset;
it fairly hates him now.
The machine" comedies very little
strength in the convention to Crawford.
1t Is saying it has him roundly whipped.
Mr.. Crawford is by no means dismayed.
He Is on the go continually and Is holding
meetings every few nights. He says: Il
have every reason to believe I shall be
nominated. The next republican state con-
vention will be one in which there will
be some freedom in competition for places
upon the ticket, and the cards will not be.
all stacked beforehand. I am In the best
position to-day Of any Of the candidates"
The Huron Journal-Wcrld, which Is
fighting Mr.. Crawford's battles, is as OPP
t1m1st1c as Its candidate. It said in its
last issue: 2
Hyde sully and Hand will hold early conven-
lions and instruct. Kingsbury has already
shown by the enthusiastic meetings with which
the people have met Mr.. Crawford at DeSmet
and Lake Preston where 1t stands. The meet
ings held by Mr.. Crawford at Centerville and
Parker and tho large clubs at Centervllle and
Viborg show what the tendency toward him is
in Turner. very favorable situation is found
In Moody, Lake. Miner. Sanborn. Jerauld, Nc
Cook, Lincoln, Union, Clay. Aurora, Roberts,
Grant, Day, Campbell, Lyman, Minnehaha, Brule
and other counties.
In the Black Hills the ''machine'' is trying to
defeat Congressman Martin, and In case 1t 1s
defeated in such attempt, no power can prevent
Mr.. Crawford's nomination. .r....-. .
State Senator McDougall is making an
active canvass for governor and claims
goodly bunch of counties in the north
ern part of the state and q good following
in scattering portions. It is said he even
expects to get Day county where, 1t Is
understood, David Williams the party
leader, is unfriendly to him. The senator
is making clean, open canvass and says
he will have nothing to regret If he loses.
He declares he hasBon thought of COM
promising on lieutenant governor.
The friends Of Sam Elrod in the eastern
part Of the state insist that he is gaining
strength and must be considered one OF
the leading candidates.. Clark, Cooling
ton, Deuel., Hamlin and other counties are
counted in his column.
| A majority of the leaders are no doubt
partial to Secretary of State Berg and If
he has his home county he Is bound to be
big factor in the convention. A strong
| fight is being made upon him at home by
Former Representative Packard who
would take the governorship himself if
he could get it and, failing, would be sat
isfied with the second place on the ticket
It would seem that Berg ought to carry
the county. He has the newspapers be-
hind him and personally is well thought
Of. Ask member of the machine if a
candidate has been fixed upon and he
will reply in the negative. At the same
time it is apparent that the organization
as a whole wants Mr.. Berg, but to bt
available he must have whqle-heartet
support from his county.
Former Treasurer Schamber has only Z
small following at the most and is no
Iseriously considered as a candidate thru
the state at large. Less has been heart
lately Of Lieutenant Governor Snow. I
Is significant that the Crawford men ap
parently fear Berg the1 most, albeit thei
guns are more often turned upon hin
than any other candidate =
The convention will be g. monster one
The official call shows LOLA delegates AM
a combination to win must have sos
North Dakota, with something over 70
delegates, thought its convention was un
wieldy and at the recent meeting OF tn
Estate central committee cut down tn
| foti oh no1r nfos
committee wanted a big convention an
a general rally of the party men. The Re
publican State league will meet at tn
same time and will be addressed by
speaker Of national reputation. Were tn
convention held month Or two later
campaign. The democrats will not nom
mate until July and no one expects tn
campaign to gather much Roadway unit
September or October.
The county conventions will come thic
and fast In week or so more. Hyde
Hand and Sully lead off on Saturday an
are for Crawford as expected. Combine
they cast but twenty eight votes.
Congressman Martin is In the Hill
fighting for political life. Members
the machine in Lawrence county al
opposing him. A Black Hills man who
in the city this week says that Martin wi
WIN. Ills 1IlOepeuueuC0 III Tic LldCC0r
appointment has made him some enc
mics, but others cleave the closer to hi
for the qualities he has shown.
President Roosevelt Is popular in tt
west, but Gregory county, next to. II
; Rosebud reservation, has a real grievanc
against him. For years the opening
the reserve has been the dream Of it's cit
zens. After many disappointments ar
thope long deferred congress passed, tt
bill The objections of the president
it have not, however, been surmounte
and Gregory's ten votes in the state co,
vention are at the disposal Of any cal
didate who will enter the lists again
the executive. - Fl. @. Torrey.