The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-07
After Bitter Fight Minnesota Democrats Pass ResO|u-
 tiOn h Committee
BRYAN MEN FORGED
 10 TAKE BACK SEAT
Statement Is Made In Committee Meet ing That Johnson's Endorsement Is Viewed With Suspicion-Brysn
 Club Is Organized.

St. Paul, March 6.-The democratic state committee of Minnesota this aft ernoon. after bitter fight, adopted d resolution indorsing Governor John A. Johnson of Minnesota for the demo- cratic presidential nomination and recommending that he be named by the national convention at Denver next July.
 As the meeting of the committee was presided over by Frank C. Day, private secretary to the governor. and who voted for the Johnson resolution on every test and on the final ballot, the action of the committee this aft ernoon is held by political leaders as placing the governor formally in the race for the democratic presidential l nomination. The Johnson resolution was carried by vote of 6S to 23 after the Bryan adherents had forced two test votes, on both of which they were defeated. The Bryan men insisted on roll call on every vote and gave notice in their speeches on the original resolution that they would not be bound by the action of the state committee, but would make a fight throughout the state for a delegation from Minnesota to the national convention instructed for the nomination of MT. Bryan. More over, meeting of Bryan adherents, held at the Ryan hotel immediately after the adjournment of the state com mittee, formed a Bryan organization which proposes to carry the contest against Johnson into every precinct of l the state,
 Bryan Man Shut Out.
 The state committee this afternoon, besides adopting the Johnson resolu- tion. voted that the state convention to elect delegates to the national con- vention should be held in St. Paul on May IA. The matter of calling a con- vention to nominate state officers was left to committee of five to be ap- pointed by State Chairman Frank c. Day. The meeting of the committee today was the most largely attended in the history of the democratic party in Minnesota, word having been sent to all members that resolution in dorsing Johnson would probably be of- fered. Of the III members. 92 were present or were represented by proxy. Several proxies were thrown out on a technical point, though on only one proxy contest was there any indiea- tion of the Johnson Bryan fight. This was on the proxy held by James Mana han of St. Paul. who Is conducting the suit before the interstate commerce commission against Pullman rates Mir. Manahan is d personal friend of MT. Bryan and Is recognized as one of the Bryan leaders in this state He came to the committee holding a proxy for the member from 1tasca county which he had received from T. T. Hudson oe Duluth democratic national commit teeman. MT. Hudson had received ths proxy by wire from the Itasca county | member. The committee on proxies ruled that a proxy could not be trans | ferred. Thus MT Hanahan was pre- vented from taking part In the meet ing.
 Democrats Congratul ated. The state committee was called to order shortly after noon by Chairman Day, who made a brief speech con- graduating the democrats of Minneso ta on recent victories in Minnesota anl closing with the statement that in spito of jealousy all democrats would abide by the action of the party.
 The committee on proxies was then ap- pointed and a recess of five minutes or dered. The proxy committee, however. took so much time in making it's report that the committee was not called to or der again until 1: 80 o'clock
 After a resolution to hold the state con- vention in St. Paul had been adopted. Martin O Brien of Crookston, who was Il member of the populist state convention in 1S96 offered a resolution indorsing Gov ernor Johnson for the presidency. The resolution follows:
 Johnson Resolution.
 Governor John A. Johnson has twice brought victory to the democracy of Min nesota. During his incumbency of the off, flee of governor more reforms have been instituted and more remedial legislation adopted than during any period of time in the history of our state. He has been controlled only by the public interests. His mentality. restless energy and sound judgment united with his unimpeachable integrity, makes him the embodiment of the best spirit of the west, an ideal Amer ican citizen. Confidently believing that his nomination as the candidate of the party for the presidency would bring to our support the electoral votes of all the states within the Mississippi valley and thus secure national triumph, we respect fully present to the democracy of the na- tion the name of the Hon. John A. John son as a candidate for President of the United States and recommend to the dem ocrats of Minnesota that they cause his name to be presented to the national con- vention at Denver for nomination"
 The presentation of the resolution im- mediately precipitated contest, and though it was evident from the stait that the resolution would carry, the Bryan men insisted on fighting every inch of the way. After a long and at times acrimon- ious debate, the Bryan men forced a vote on two resolutions, one to lay the Johnson resolution on the table and one indorsing the candidacy of Mir. Bryan. Though they were overwhelmingly defeat- ed on both resolutions. the Bryan men