The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-07-18
WILKINSON BEAT
M'ARTHUR FORCES

1t took the Cass county democratic
central committee nearly three hours
and a half to perfect it's organization
yesterday afternoon while their re-
publican opponents across the hall
completed their business in less than
an hour. But County Chairman Will
kinson won the day and was re-elect-
ed head Of the county committee by a
big majority owe T. G. Kelly Of the
Seventh ward, the Macarthur candi-
date. Mr.. Kelly was president Of
McArthur's John Bruegger club last
March.
The meeting gave promise of being
a battle royal but the expected floor
fight over the craftsmanship was avert
ed through the sagacity Of Col. NJ. A.
Hildreth who proposed that an in
formal ballot be taken. However the
many little squabbles throughout the
entire session could not help but show
the strong undercurrent Of feeling
that existed between the two forces
that were at work ~endeavoring to get
control Of the county organization.
From the first the efforts of the
state chairman's close friends to
dominate the meeting seemed apparent
and the session was not without it's
sharp tones. Denis NJ. Lynch, de-
feated for county auditor two years
ago and generally recognized as one
of the Cass lieutenants of the state
chairman, seemed to be acting in the
double. capacity of secretary of the
committee and the Macarthur floor
manager. In fact there were very few
things proposed at any time yesterday
that were not emphatically opposed
by Mr.. Lynch.
SquabbIe Over Proxies.
Before Chairman wilkinson called
the meeting to order there was con-
siderable comment in the courthouse
regarding the number OF
proxies that were in possession of
of the committeeman. 1t SEEM
ed that one or two had secured in the
neighborhood of sixteen or twenty,
il countenanced, would, 1t is
said, have given the Macarthur men
the reins of control.
This is I'm direct violation Of the state
proxy law which explicitly states that
committeeman may be represented
by a proxy residing outside his own
precinct.
Neither Wilkinson nor his friends
were caught sleeping at the switch,
however, for as soon as the reports of
the secretary and treasurer were read
and approved, the chairman suggested
liza q SOAAAAAAANASS w 6PPgAAAlO0 " "a
anime the credentials and proxies. J..
McHose moved the appointment of
three.
His motion was opposed by T. c.
Kelly on the grounds that three were
enough for such q committee put
Chairman Wilkinson declared the mo-
ton carried. He appointed J. w. Nc
Hose, r. 3. Blakemore IND John f..
McGrann to serve on the credentials
committee.
This committee retired at ESQ
and did not report until 3:45
and the main committee took
4 recess during that time. BY the time
the committee was ready to submit It's
and the chairman raped his
gavel some were ready for another
squabble.
Much Ado About Nothing.
That there was a fire ~smoldering
the surface just waiting to be
into a fame was evidenced by
the attitude of Floor Manager Lynch
who jumped to his feet to oppose viii
xinson or anybody else on the slight
sst p~rovocation. To all outward an
oearances he was there for the pur-
of fighting and fight he would
no matter over what cause
A vacancy on the committee existed
the first precinct OF the Fifth ward
where there had been a tie vote and
he name Of Elmer e. Smith was pro-
posed by Charles Young to I'LL 1t. r..
Blakemore thought the committee
perfect it's organization by
its officers before taking up
hat business. He said that was only
and his suggestion was not Of
in opposition to MI. Smith.
j. w. McHose was of the same opfn-I
and seconded a motion offered by
Blakemore to that effect. This
lid not suit Floor Manager Lynch,
however, for he jumped to HE feet and
laid 1t vas then the time to elect Mr..
Mr.. McIose rose to q point
II order which the chair said was well
AIKEN. He put the motion and declar-
ID 1t carried.
There were a few scattered NAYS In
he room, however. and Mr.. Lynch |
vas again on his feet asking the chair
nan i'm clarion tones IL he intended TO
stand by his decision In the face Of
he negative vote just expressed. Mr..
assured him he did and de-
Jared MIR. Lynch u OF order.
Lynch Appealed 20 Membsrs.
Floor Manager Lynch then appealed
rom the decision OF the chair. but
Wilkinson oyerruled him and was
hen sustained by a vote OF the COM
While the chairman was busy
,verrulIng Mr. Lynch that energetic
young man waS engaged In demanding
! rising vote. For q moment d real
light seem promising. /