The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-07-07

The State Republican convention
for 1904 will 60 down in history as
one of most exciting ones since the
State was organized. Pre-convention
contests between the opposing candi-
dates indicated to the public generally
that the convention would be one in
which the principal contestants would
be unable to develop the ''balance OF
power" and the outlook was good for
dark horse, or a sudden shifting of
the political scene. But the loyal ad-
herents of r. G.. Dunn who had plan
ned and labored faithfully many
months throughout the State to insure
Mr.. Dunn's nomination, never feared
results after the returns were received
from the State primaries. True,
Ramsey county failed to count in and
Hennepin was counted out at the re-
spective county conventions. still
there were enough country delegates to
nominate Mr.. Dunn without Ramsey
or Hennepin. But when it was as
certained that Mr.. Dunn's strength
was sufficient to insure his nomination,
it was no more than justice that his
loyal supporters in Hennepin county
should be recognized, and they were
as were others when the Dunn wave be-
gan to sweep the State convention, af-
ter which that body so far as the
Princeton candidate was concerned
was merely ratification meeting.
The convention was called to order
at 1890 a. m. on Thursday, June 30,
at the Metropolitan opera house, St.
Paul. Robert Jamison, chairman of
the State central committee, formally
convening the 1,l76 delegates. Rev.
Benjamin Longley, pastor Of the Gen.
trail Park Methodist church of St.
Paul, offered prayer. Senator Clapp,
who had been selected as temporary
chairman, took the gavel and as
sumed his duties as both temporary
and permanent chairman, which he
discharged with eminent fairness and
marked ability. Charles w. Johnson
of Minneapolis, was appointed secre-
tary, and served at his post with
Chairman Clapp. Mr.. johnson was
fresh from the national convention
where he acted as secretary, having
filled this post at many of the Repub-
lican national conventions. He was
assisted by Capt. G. c. Whitney, secre-
tary of the State central committee,
and by Hon. W. I. Nolan, City Clerk
Lydiard of Minneapolis, and other
strong-voiced readers, in the reading
of the platform, roll calls, etc.
In accepting the chair Senator Clapp
delivered ringing speech on the
progress of the Republican party. 1t
was a grand effort. He said in part:
Gentlemen of the convention: APP
preciating the honor conferred upon
me, realizing that you will expect at
this time that [ shall discuss the polit-
ical situation, I shall undertake the
task fully mindful Of the demands
upon your time to-day and fully con-
scious of the difficulty of adequately
performing this task in view of the
time limitations of this occasion.
You have assembled, as the repre-
sentatives Of our party have so often
assembled in the past, to name the
men who shall administer the affairs
of the State of Minnesota for the ensu-
ing two years. l will not trespass
upon your time in presenting the mar
velOus growth of our beloved State,
nor will at this time trespass upon
your patience with a. discussion of
State issues. Upon that it is enough
to say that since the organization of
Minnesota, with only slight intermis-
sion, the people of this State have en-
trusted the administration of their
affairs TO the Republican party; and
there is not a true lover OF Minnesota
in her greatness, her glory and her
character, but what is proud of the
fidelity with which that trust has been
. discharged, in the honesty of admins
tration, in the wisdom of legislation.
1t would be folly, gentlemen, to at
tempt to-day to ignore the fact that a
warm-spirited, excited, contest has
preceded the assembling of this con-
vention. But if our political oppon-
ents dream of the destruction of light
and hope in our eternal activities,
they are doomed to disappointment.
I do not speak in admonition-for
you are not the men to be admonished,
nor am the one to admonish you. I
do not express it as hope, for hopes
always involve the possibility of
doubt. But from my long association
with and participation in the labors of
the Republican party of Minnesota I
state as a fact That judgment will guide
smoke of this contest has cleared
away, the fortunes of the hour-be
what they may-the Republicans of
Minnesota, with unbroken rank and
resistless tread, will advance to the
grandest victory in November in the