The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-08
COMMITTEE TO
MEET In HURON
DEMOCRATS PREPARING FOR
THEIR FIRST CONVENTION. \
johnson Is Candidate for National
Committeeman and Pettigrew
Wants to Be One of the Delegates
to ST. Louis-Martin, the Last Dem
Ocratic Candidate for Governor,
Slated for State Chairman.
Special to The Journal,
AMOS MOVER,

special 10 Inc JOURNAL
Mitchell, S. D., Feb. S.-Chairman E. S.
Johnson has called the democratic state
committee to meet in Huron on Wednes-
day, the oath, for the purpose of naming
the place and fixing the time of holding
the state convention to elect delegates to
attend the national convention at St.
Louis, as well as elect a member of the
national committee and a chairman Of the
state committee.
Two state conventions will be held this
year, but democratic interest centerS
wholly on the first gathering. Every
democrat in the state realizes that South
Dakota is hOpeleSsly republican, and for
that reason the nominating convention for
state officers Is secondary matter. The
average democrat had much rather be a
delegate to the national convention than
to accept a place on the state ticket,
which will be an empty honor. He hopes
the national ticket will win out, and hav-
ing been a delegate his prestige will
amount to nething.
The converting of the committee has
been awaited with interest by democrats
all over the state for several weeks, and
now that the call has been issued, numer-
Gus towns are soliciting support to get
the convention. Yankton will go to the
Huron meeting asking that the gathering
be held in that city, while Sioux Falls,
Aberdeen, Mitchell and Huron hope to
capture the desired plum.
Hearst Boomers Show Hand.
The Hearst boomers want an early con-
vention-as early as March, It Is Mr..
Hearst's desire that the delegates Of this
state be instructed for him and thus start
his. presidential ball rolling. He wants
this state to be the first to instruct for
him, the first to hold convention.
Those who are opposing his candidacy
hn 40 ri 10Th
for the convention to be held, and the
meeting at Huron will foretell to a great
extent the Hearst strength in this state.
Many Of the democrats are willing to
indorse Mr.. Hearst, but do not believe the
delegates should go instructed. That is
what will, no doubt happen. A resolu-
ton will be passed indorsing the owner OF
the Homestake mine. but the delegates
will be left free from any instructions to
go to the convention and make such COM
binations as they may deem wise and for
the best interests Of the party. The Black
Hills delegation will reach Huron solid
for Hearst, and the east side hopes to
make compromise by indorsing the
choice of the western delegates for pres
ident.
Contest for Committeeman.
Chairman Johnson is spending the win.
ter in California with his family, but il
is expected he will be in the state In
time to preside over the meeting at Huron
He intended to return the first Of March
and has fixed the call for such q time as
he will be able to be at home. He is
an active candidate for the place Of ma
tional committeeman, and will leave nc
stone unturned to capture the plum. His
only opponent yet mentioned is H. H
Smith, better known as the Cyclone ora.
tor from Kentucky Mr.. Smith is also
resident Of Armour, but it is believed
the Johnsons have too firm a hold on the
democrats of Douglas county for Smith
to get into the race.
The call in Douglas will be made as soor
as the state convention call is issued III
order to put the gentleman from Ken.
lucky" out of the race. Without hi;
home delegation Smith cannot break int
the state convention with his oratory
Martin for State Chairman.
John w Martin of WATERFOWL is slated
for the position now held by Mr.. Johnson
ernor at the last state election, and come.
from section of the state where hi.
influence will be felt in the democratic
ghost dances. Smith is opposed to Mar.
| tin as well as Johnson, because it is be.
lieved Johnson is supporting Martin.
Harry Sawyer Of Sioux Falls, ex-secre
tary of the populist railway commission
is the one most actively engaged in pro
noting Martins interests. Sawyer is Pet
tigrew's right hand man, and of course
that combination has the ex-senator's in.
dorsement.
Pettigrew Candidate for Delegate.
Mr.. Pettigrew will ask to go to the