The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-10-03
Senator 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 Correspondencel

Especial Correspondence.)
st. Paul, Sept. 30.-That United
States Senator Nelson, Minnesota's
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 a committee of
seven to evolve a plan for the forma-
ton of state central committee and
the selection of 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 were drawn and
their machinery rendered helpless.
First there was slight ripple of ap-
plause, then prolonged hand clapping
and lastly vigorous cheering It was
reception to be proud of and Sen
ator Nelson showed his appreciation.
The plan as outlined left to the state
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. O.
Preus the only material from which
selection couldt DE made. The oppo-
sition saw in it all victory for Gov
ernor Eberhart and the organization.
1t wanted to fight, but the sturdy fig
ure of the "Grahd Old Man," as he
stood awaiting the, putting of the mo-
ton adopting TIVE 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 a nasty snarl and, as
pointed out, had retained for the
! candidates at large their time honored
i
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.
!. !. :.
I The meeting of the candidates OF
the several parties which participated
in the late primaries for the purpose
quired under the new primary act and
it was with mingled feelings of pleas
ure and @distrustt%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 might be trouble. They were
glad when adjournment came. P. NJ.
Ringdal, the party nominee for gov
ernof, was the central figure at the
Democratic meeting and like Senator
Nelson at the Republican conference
he was the peace agent for the un-
washed: The only difference here was
that the Bryan and anti-Bryan forces
contested for the mastery and the
former won. 1t was q 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 of
Minneapolis. .~--
! \ j. !.
! There is story going the rounds
to the effect that the "Peerless Lead
; err has kept in touch for the past
month with the situation in Minnesota
and that through selected agents he
was responsible in the main for the
setback given the F. B. Lynch forces
at the meeting of the Democratic NOM
,inees, last week. In advocating the
selection of F. A. Pike as state chair
man in place of D. D. Daily, Mr.. Ring
i da1 made the argument that as the
! Lynch forces had the (committeeshi
in the national organization it would
be no more than right to recognize a
known Bryan man in the making up
of the state Organization. This, he
thought, would tend to promote har-
mony. Associated with Mr. Ringdal
ION the board Of control is C. E. Vasaly
aof Little Falls: He is an ardent Bry-
ante and the: story is. that he acted
for MI. Bryan in persusading the Dem
ocratic standard bearer to take the
stand he took. 'vasaly and F. B. Lynch
have always been at swords point,
on the national game and have even
figured as opposites in state fights:
4
e. r. Smith of Minneapolis, it is said:
has expressed the opinion that he does
not care whether he is reelected state
chairman or not, but it is good bet
that h q will he no mod whom tho ovocu