The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1908-05-16

less >reformer, William Jennings Bry.
an, and we instruct the delegates from
Minnesota to the national Democratic
convention in Denver that, in case the
nomination of Governor Johnson be,
comes impossible, to vote for William
J. Bryan without variation or excep.
ton until a candidate is nominated"
The convention was called to order
by Frank A. Day, chairman of the
state central committee. Immediately
after doing this he made a short adj
dress, saying among other things:
1--WE Democrats of Minnesota have
just pulled off one of the prettiest
scraps in recent political history and
want to say for the majority that
there has been nothing said that we
need to recall, no depreeatory express
sion concerning William J. Bryan"
Loud cheers greeted the mention of
Bryan's name, but this was utterly
elared that a prominent Democrat of
Minnesota had in Washington given
out through the Associated Press a
statement calculated to injure John
A. Johnson. A terrific yell followed
the mention of Johnson's name and
Chairman Day then alluded to certain
statements derogatory to Governor
Johnson made by certain followers of
Mr.. Bryan, declaring them to be IN
founded calumnies. He mentioned
James Manahan of st. Paul as the in
stigator of some of these stories. He
mentioned certain other Bryanites as
having been co-laborers of Mr.. Mana
han in this respect and then closed
his address by advising the delegates
to conduct their affairs with fairness
and good humor
Senator Works for Chairman.
State Senator S. D. Works of Man
kato was nominated for temporary
chairman without opposition and he
was unanimously chosen. Senator
Works made a short address on taking
the chair. predicting brilliant polit-
ical triumph next fall if the Democrats
of the country nominated Governor
Johnson at Denver in July.
A motion that each judicial district
name its members of the committees
on rules, resolutions and credentials
was adopted and a recess was taken to
allow the districts to caucus and
make their selections.
After the formation of the three
committees and the announcement of
the lists Of members by the secretary
Chairman Works appointed as chair
man of the committee on resolutions
T. D. O'Brien of st. Paul, on rules and
permanent organization H. F. Weiss
of LIE Sueur county, on credentials j.
G. Armson of Saltwater.
A recess was then taken until 2
o'clock
The committee on credentials was
not ready to report when the conven-
ton met for the afternoon session,
Only five contests had been taken up,
those of Cottonwood, Hennepin, Fill
more, Itasca and Waseca., The Cot.
tonWood delegation was divided half
and half between the Johnson and
Bryan factions. Itasca was given to
Bryan and the others to Johnson. The
promised contest in Ramsey county
est. PauD was net brought before
the committee.
The report of the credentials COM
mittee in conformity with the fore
going was then read to the convention
and adopted without a negative VOTE
The committee on organization rec
ommended that the temporary officers
Of the convention be made permanent
and this was done unanimously.
The report of the resolutions com
mittee was read by T. D. O'Brien of
St. Paul, chairman of that body. Be-
fore commencing to read the platform
he announced that all the members
Of the committee except Knox of
Jackson county and Whipple of Wi
mona had signed the report.
The Resolutions Adopted.
The resolutions affirm allegiance to
the principles of the party of Jeffer-
Bon and Jackson; commend the state
duu1AlolfdCiOu, uSuuduU CdIlu re-
vision; favor strict supervision and
control Of great Industrial enterprises
Ind public service corporations and
on the question of state rights the
platform says.
1--WE believe that the powers ceded
to the federal government by the
states through the Constitution in it's
present form are ample. Notwith.
standing the closer relations between
the people which improved transporta.
tion facilities have established a toe
great Capitalization of power is az
dangerous now as when the Constitu-
ton was framed. The powers reserved
to the states are necessary to enable
each to manage it's domestic and in
ternal affairs; to preserve the Amer
lean principle of home rule; to pre-
vent the exercise of autocratic power
by federal officers and to maintain be-
tween the states generous rivalry as
to which can best present system of
wise laws and efficient administra-
ton.
The dangers to be apprehended
from Capitalization of power are al
ready apparent, for under autocratic