The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-05-22
SOLID FOR JOHNSON
Minnesota Delegation to Denver
Instructed fer Governor.
BRYAN men OUTNUMBERED
Could Not Even Obtain a Declaration
in Favor Of Their Favorite for
Second Choice.

The Democrats of MINES ota, in con.
vention at St. Paul, formally endorsed
Governor J. A. Johnson as a presiden-
t1al candidate and at the same time
by vote of 772 to 166 refused to de-
clare in favor of William J. Bryan as
a second choice.
The followers of Mr.. Bryan did not
carry out the threat which they had
so often made during the past few
days-that they would bolt and hold
a rump convention if their contests
were defeated before the committee
on credentials, or if they were not
able to secure a partial endorsement
of their leader. They made a sturdy
fight for their man and when they had
been overwhelmingly defeated re-.
manned quietly in their seats and
made no motion to leave.
The Johnson men were generous in
their victory and declared in their
platform that while they entertained
IAN affection for and confidence in,
the integrity and ability of William
j. Bryan they believed that Johnson
was man better calculated to bring
success to the Democratic party and
was first entitled to the support of
Minnesota.
The Bryan men did not make as
great fight before the committee on
credentials as they had declared they
were prepared to make. They did not
seriously contest the vote of Hennepin
county, which for some days they con-
fidently asserted must be given to
them If they were to remain ia the
convention. They were awarded the
delegation from 1tasca county and
one-half the vote of Cottonwood coun-
ty, or eleven and one-half votes in all
Other Contests Against Them.
In all other of the contests which they
had declared they would make they
either did not appear or were defeat
ed. 1t was foregone conclusion that
this would be the result and they re-
served their strength for fight on
the floor of the convention in favor
OF having Bryan declared the sole heir
to the vote of Minnesota in the event
OF any political disaster overtaking
Johnson in the Denver convention.
, Two of the nineteen members of the
resolutions committee presented a
platform plank to this effect, which
they asked be made IAN addition" to
the platform. They did not move that
1t be subs tituted for the majority re-
port, but Chairman Works declared
that he would consider the minority
report as an amendment and the de.
feat of the Bryan faction came about
on the motion to substitute the mi
nority report for that of the majority.
Leaving all political questions aside
the convention was throughout a fiat
tering tribute to Governor Johnson.
The enthusiasm for him was unbound
ed and sincere. Every mention of his
name was Instantly followed by a wild
yell Of delight and the final adoption
of the platform formally endorsing
him and instructing Minnesota to fight
for him at Denver was followed by a
demonstration of enthusiastic loyalty
of which any man might feel proud.
The following delegates at large
were chosen: W. S. Hammond, St.
James; Frank A. Day, Fairmont;
F. G. Winston, Minneapolis; Swan
Turnblad, Minneapolis; Daniel w.
Iawler, St. Paul; T. D. O'Brien, St.
Paul; Martin OBrien, Crookston: A.
c.. Weiss, Duluth.