The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-05-14

The big Republican state convention
was held IN this city yesterday and to-
tlay. there being fifteen hundred or
tive thousand people present from all
,arts OF the state, including the del
sxates, AS in number.
4. early as Monday the leaders OF
18th factions, the Insurgents ana tne
stalwarts, began to arrive. TUESDAY
there was quite a crowd about the
hotels, and Wednesday morning they
fairly poured in. Really Wednesday
was the busy day and the day when
both factions got in their ticks.
Both factions claimed the conyen-
tion. However, it was seen from the
start that the Stalwarts were in the
lead, easily. The Insurgents made
quite a showing, however, but the ma
iority of them did not really see any
need of fighting, for both the lnslr-
gents and the Stalwarts had agreed
upon Taft for president. a
The Insurgent leaders, however,
wanted to control the convention, and
at caucus held Wednesday morning
such men as Helgeson, ]. M. De Vine,
John Sorley and Jake Wineman Of
Grand Forks made fiery speeches in
an effort to keep the Insurgents from
breaking.
In the morning the State Central
Committee held meeting to take up
the matter Of the contesting delega-
Dkldy, Dickey, Mclean and Rolette
counties. Chairman Hanna thought OF
the scheme to appoint peace" com
mission from each of the counties,
consisting Of Ave persons, who should
settle the difference in a harmonious
way, allowing a certain number OF
delegation.
The Stalwarts have been for mar
mony, and while it was realized that
they were the stonger from the start,
they did not wish tiny split In the
party They realize that there will be
a common enemy, the Democrats, to
battle with after the primaries, and
bitter factional fights never do any
good.
The stalwarts Wednesday decided
on electing for the chairman OF the
convention United States Senator Nc
Cumber if he could be induced to ac-
cept it. They realized that he would
be fair to Insurgents and Stalwarts
alike. He is practiced disciplinarian
and a better man could not be select
ed in the entire state.
Thechoice OF the Insurgents was a.
L. Woods of Fargo and they decided
to elect national committeeman from
the floor OF the convention in case Of
their success. Il
Frank spraSue of Grafton has been
suggested by the Insurgents as ma
tional committeeman. He is allied
with the insurgents to some extent,
yet he has not been very closely identi-
fed with any faction, and might have
been good compromise.
The Republican state convention
opened in the opera house at II a
m. today. The Military band from
Lisbon was on the stage and rendered
several selections while the dele
gates were being seated. Following
the playing of .'The Star Spangled
Banner by the band the convention
was called to order by Mr.. z. B. Han.
ma, chairman Of the Republican cen
trail committee After very earnest
and appropriate program by Rev
Robert A. MacMullen of the Baptist
church, Secretary Jewell read the
call Of the convention and the list Of
delegates as recommended by the
central committee was made the list
for temporary organization.
The chair was then taken by Sen
ator McCumber who was recommends
cd nv the central committee fer tenn.
norary chairman with Mr.. Geo. H
Stone OF Hettinger county as secre'
tary.