Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1912-10-04
NELSON STILL A
POWER IN PARTY
SegatOr Dominating Figure at
Meeting Of Nominees.
BRYAN MEN IN CONTROL
=. A. Pike Of St Paul Choice for Chair
man of the Democratic
State Committee.
Especial Correspondence.)


"Grand Old Man." is still dominat-
ing figure in North Star state politics
was evidenced last week when, at the
gathering of Republican nominees
called for the purpose of naming a
state central committee, his presence
alone saved the organization and its
standard bearers from a nasty fight
and, what was better, the time hon
ored right of naming those who should
handle the campaign. Senator Mel
son did not plead, nor did he argue.
He was made one of committee OF
seven to evolve a plan for the fOrma-
ton of state central committee and
the selection of a state chairman and
the moment he stepped upon the plat
form with the completed draft in his
hand and started to read it the fires
of the opposition we're drawn and
their machinery rendered helpless.
First there was slight ripple of ap-
plause, then prolonged hand clapping
and lastly vigorous cheering. 1t was
a reception to be proud of and Sen
ator Nelson showed his appreciation.
central committee, as named, the Sc
lection of a state chairman, but con-
fined the selection to an executive
committee of nine named by the nine
state candidates. This practically
made either E. E. Smith, the present
Republican chairman, or J. A. 0.
Preus the only material from which
ho
sition saw in it all a victory for Gov
ernor Eberhart and the organization.
1t wanted to fight, but the sturdy fig
ure of the Grand Old Man," as he
stood awaiting the putting of the mo-
ton adopting the plan, awed them.
Then came the adoption of the plan,
and 1t was unanimous. The senator's
presence and the abiding faith of the
nominees in his leadership had saved
the party from nasty snarl and, as
I pointed out, had retained for the
candidates at large their time honored
right of picking those who should
manage the campaign. Governor Eber-
hart was a prominent figure in the
gathering and it was claimed by some
that his presence and influence was
responsible for the harmonious end
ing, but give it to the senior senator.
It was he who dominated.
:. = :.
The meeting of the candidates Of
the several parties which participated
in the late primaries for the purpose
OF naming a central committee is re-
quired under the new primary act and
1t was with mingled feelings of pleas
ure and distrust that the leaders in
both the Republican and Democratic
camps watched the candidates gather.
They wanted to see the candidates
personally, especially the legislative
nominees, and yet they realized that
there night be trouble. They were
glad W hen adjournment came. P. M.
RingdaI, the party nominee for gov
ernor, was the central figure at the
Democratic meeting and like Senator
Nelson at the Republican conference
he was the peace agent for the I'M
washed. The only difference here was
that the Bryan and anti-Bryan forces
contested for the mastery and the
former won. 1t was a case of the F
B. Lynch organization against the
Bryan faction, led by F. A. Pike, st
Paul lawyer and though the former
were in the majority they gave way
out Of Difference to Mr.. Ringdal. He
favors Mr.. Pike for chairman and he
will likely be chosen. The Lynch
crowd would prefer D. D. DAILY O.
Minneapolis.
There is a story going the rounds
to the effect that the peerless Lead
err has kept in touch for the pas
month with the situation in Minnesot;
and that through selected agents h
was responsible in the main for thu
setback given the F. B. Lynch forces
at the meeting of the Democratic nom
inees last week. In advocating tn
selection of F. A. Pike as state chair
man in place of d. D. Daily, Mr.. Ring
DIAL made the argument that as tn
Lynch forces had the committeeshil
in the national organization it woult
be no more than right to recognize
known Bryan man in the making III
of the state organization. This, h
thought, would tend to promote hal
mony. Associated with Mr.. Ringda
on the board of control is G. e. Vasal
of Little Falls. He is an ardent Bry
ante and the story is that he acte
for Mr. Bryan in persuading the Den
ocratic standard bearer to take tn
stand he took. Vasaly and F. B. Lyme
have always been at swords point
on the national game and have eve
figured as opposites in state fights.
X :. +
E. E. Smith of Minneapolis, it is sal
has expressed the opinion that he doe
not care whether he is reelected stat
chairman or not, but it is good b.
that he will be named when the exec
tive committee selected at the gathe
ing last week meets. J. A. o. Preu