The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1908-08-27
now JOHNSON W =. N Il Z I.

democrats, met in Minneapolis last
week and carried out the program that
had been carefully mapped out by the
head bosses and the representatives
of predatory wealth" months ago.
Frank M. Eddy was on the ground
and reported the "doings" for the
Evening Pioneer Press. For the bene-
fit of the MONS thousands OF
readers Franks racy report is here
with reproduced:
The expected has happened and the
huge confidence game conceived by
the kitchen cabinet early last spring
has been successfully pulled off.
Never in the political history of this
or any other state has there been a
political confidence game so cunningly
conceived and so cleverly executed as
was contaminated in the democl attic
convention pulled off in. the city OF
Minneapolis on Wednesday last.
The democratic leaders realized full
we'll that their only hope of the con-
tinuance of there hold upon the exec
cutive Office and the patronage con-
nected Herewith lay in the renomina-
ton of Gov. Johnson. They were
also aware that strong prejudice
existed against third terms for execu-
tive officials, and they realized that
something must be done to overcome
this prejudice.
The first step in this direction was
taken by making the governor pres
idential candidate, although they
knew that he absolutely stood no show
of such nomination, for it was neces-
sary to put up the most bitter fight in
the history of Minnesota democratic
politics to secure his own state for
him. The next step was to utilize the
advertising he received from his presi-
Dental campaign by putting him on
the lecture platform, which was
promptly done.
In order to overcome the natural
"third term prejudice" two things
were necessary. First, it was neces-
sary that the governor make a great
personal sacrifice to accept it, and
second, there must be "spontane-
ous". demand. The mythical 100000
a year lecture contract, although a fac
smile of the contract, has never been
published, furnished the sacrifice, and
the kitchen cabinet and the place
holders made it their business to
furnish the spontaneous demand.
Hold Street Parade First.
The convention was called to meet
in the Auditorium at IL q. M, but the
"faithful" gathered at the West hotel
long before the hour for rehearsal.
Flags we're supplied each delegate and
every spectator and the minutest
detail of the Spontaneous ovation
planned even to selecting the "woman
in white" and the two girls to dance
on the table. Finally, when all ar
rangements were completed, the entire
delegation started four abreast. to
march to the Auditorium, led by a
platoon of mounted police, kindly
furnished by Minneapolis democratic
mayor-the only instance of the kind
in the convention history of Mime
sofa. Arriving at the convention the
delegates and spectators passed be-
tween two outside guards, who sup
piled more flags, and inside the
rotunda was table loaded down with
more flags.
The convention hall was more re-
markahle for those that we're not
present than those that we're. there.
The great counties of Otter Tail, Polk
and many others only showed up with
here and there a few delegates, but
Hennepin was out in full force and
Ramsey came to the front with 1872
delegates, headed by their Jove-like
mayor, and each one the proud pos
SCISSOR of half a vote.
Omitted Invocation
Frank Day, as chairman of the state
central committee, called the conven-
ton to order, and it was opened with
out prayer or invocation, but as
Frank was at the helm, the delegates
seemed to think divine assistance
would be superauous or else they
thought it was a waste Of time to prav
for democratic delegates, at any rate
for the first time in the history of Min.
nesota, a great convention was opened
without addressing The throne of
heaven.
Mr.. Day stated that "once and for
all time he was through with politics.
whereat the delegates cheered. Then
he characterized the republican con-
vention as the 'worst gang of polit-
ica1 frnah0Otars that ever oeeo~hla1