The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-07-21
LESSONS Of the CONVENTION.
Representative PheIan Writes EntertainingIy.
Defines His Position on Primary Election.

To THE EDITOR
The Republican state convention held
at Jamestown June 10Th was one of the
most interesting in many years, with
467 delegates-all kinds and assorted
sizes-but as usual well-dressed, pros
porous, intelligent lot of American citi-
zens, who possess the soil, business and
professions of North Dakota, but above
all these delegates possessed splendid
lot of good, common sense.
Alexander Mckenzie sat as delegate
throughout the convention with the Bur
leigh county delegations; Senator Nc
Cumber sat with the Richland county
delegation; Ex-Congressman Johnson,
who had one lone colleague, with the
Nelson county delegation as insurgents,
while the balance, dozen or more, as
my memory serves me, lined up as reg
ulars with Congressman Gronna.
One of the novel features of this con-
vention was the Trail county delegation
from Gov. Sarlcs' home county lined up
for Mr.. Johnson for governor, while John
sons Nelson county delegation was lined
up for Gov: Sarles, excepting Johnson
hinselffltard one colleague.
ThSS6-called insurgents strength was
4
thefegulars, with mainly ISL votes on
the general balloting. There were many
able, clean men among the insurgents
rand all averaged good, while experience
was not lacking among them The reg
ulars, however, had the best corps of ex-
perienced captains as we'll as real ex-
perienced general, while the rank and
file were not afraid of the firing line.
1t was a dramatic scene when the test
came on organization and the real
strength of the factions had not been
openly demonstrated, when each dele
cation was called on to stand up and be
counted. Many we're solid for one side
or the other, others divided, but the an
nouncements rang out with confident
sound in all cases.
Good fellowship mainly predominated
between the factions. Tom Marshall
was the popular man of the convention,
having no opposition and receiving ass
votes.
The insurgents, or so-called "good
government league" had been up
against hard campaign, attempting re-
form during an unprecedented period of
prosperity and what is more, against a
governor who has given us one of the
best and cleanest administrations that
North Dakota has ever had. At the
same time shouting about the sins of the
past, while, when the shouters and the
sinners were in their zenith of sinfulness,
there was no particular protest made.
The people of North Dakota are 10th in
enacting eternal punishment on earth
for the sinners, being more in accord
dence and the hereafter, and as usual
virtue Yrouct he ifc ri md he.
lieve that many of the insurgents real
ize it.
So far as Alex. Mckenzie is concerned
that gentleman is mellowing with age;
his heart is young his mind clear, and
the strength of fellowship so abounds in
his general make up that he embodies
that one fundamental element of true
leadership giving other men their own
way as far as possible and having his
own way only ence in awhile-that he
embodies in his character the clearing
house of other mems aspirations. and am.
bitions. His past sins are easily forgot
ten and forgiven for he has served Sc
many men good turn that they in turn
gladly and faithfully serve him and his
cause.
So, to my mind, the jamestown con.
vention was one mainly of men involving
question of leadership. The resolu.
tions or platform was mainly of men
The national administration was EN-
bodied in the man, Theodore Roosevelt
who has always proven faithful to every
trust, foster son of North Dakota, nam
ing his battle cry to be that of protection
for the rights of all the people. More
could have been said, hence digress
here to say that no matter what we may
find fault with temporarily in Presiden
Roosevelt's career, the real character O
Theodore Roosevelt is unassailable, as {
good citizen, a good soldier, home-lov
ing husband and father, embodying tht
true principle of real American life, ont
who stands ready to give battle and tak'
it, in just cause. l stand second to ne
man in doing him homage. The mai1
trouble will be two years hence to fine
the right man to succeed him providing
he refuses to succeed himself
Returning to the platform Of men
Senators Hansborough and McCumbe
and Congressman Marshall and Gronn;
were endorsed as we'll as Gov. Sarles
Organized labor was also endorsed.
The question of the tariff was ignored
However, in the recent election the con
test in Nelson county between Exon
gresham Johnson and Congressman
Gronna was won by Gronna mainly o.
the issue of the Philippine tariff, johnson
having attacked Gronnas record on tina
measure, and Gronna defending on
basis of protection to farm product:
which, let me say, unless condition
change, will be live issue in North Da
kota before many years roll away.
Last. hut not least. came the Only issu