The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1904-05-18

|
urday, proved to be quite a
stormy affair, about as much so
as any ever held in Ward County
Two conventions were held, the
two factions splitting. The re-
gular organization occupied the
opera house and nominated a
complete ticket. The delegates
! favoring the reorganization,
failed to file theircredentials with
j. S. Murphy, the chairman OF
the Republican county central
committee, at the time ordered
10 o'clock in the morning, and
when they arrived in a body to
enter the opera house at 2
O'Clock Saturday afternoon, they
were refused admittance until
they showed their credentials.
They were not in favor of giving
the credentials up to the com
mittee, therefore were kept out
OF the hall, despite the protest
ations OF every delegate in favor
of the reorganization. There
seems to be two reports regard
ing the refusal of admittance of
the delegates. 1t was reported
that the regulars he'd barred the
doors and were holding a con-
vention OF their own. This how
ever was not true, but Jerry
Murphy and a number OF others
were stationed at the door,
ready to keep out any invaders.
The hall and stairway were
crowded with delegates and their
friends who could not get in, and
pandemOnium reigned supreme
for a time. An excited crowd
(gathered ON the streets and
many harsh and excited words
were spoken. Murphy was de-
nounced by many, and Others
spoke in his behalf. The high
school band was out and render
ed a number Of selections. Mi
nots newly Organized band Also
marched down the street play
ing, followed by the band OF re-
organization delegates, each
wearing a white silk badge. The
regular republican delegates and
friends wore silk badges OF pale
blue. Everywhere were the two
factions thus recognized on that
eventful day. 1t will be a day
long remembered in the history
of Minot.
Business was practically suspend
ed, business men, clerks, laborers
and citizens taking an active
part In the street demonstration.
L. D. McGahan, OF Bismarck,
who was hired to do anything to
defeat Murphy, jumped up on
the seat of the dray wagon OF
the Grand Forks Mercantile Co.
land denounced Major Murphy
and Martin jacobson.
| Fred Herrick, one Of the man.
ayers of the Company in Minot,
followed McGahan up on the
wagon and ordered him to get
down.
McGahn was excited and cries
'reorganizers, there will be q
convention OF the re- organization
delegates at Odd Fellows hall
follow me- But when he at
tempts to drive, the lines were
taken from his hands and the
team driven away.
| The National committee re
ceives credentials up to 6 days
before the convention. The
Major reported that 80 OF the
credentials had been handed in
a clear majority. There were
154 delegates in all.
i D. r. Pierce was elected TEN
porarv chairman and delegates
Marshall and Willis appointed
to escort him to the chair.
| Mr.. Pierce in a short address
said he believed the county
central committee had not over
stepped it's rights in anyway,
The rule to hand in the creden.
tials in the forenoon did not in.
convenience any delegate.
| w. N. Crane then quoted law
showing that the Supreme Court
OF the State had always stood
by the regular organization
when more than one convention
was held.
E. L. Sutton at this time was
nominated for temporary secre
tary and Mr.. Pierce and Mr.
Sutton were placed in their re
spective Offices permanently
The following committees wer.
appointed by the chairman.
i Credentials Fred Alger, Hoff
McGilvey, B. D. Williams ant
Hanson.
4 oRnER or pr-srNEsS