The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-05-09
JOHNSON PEOPLE
DENY HE FILED
CLARK DELEGATES
Insist that They are for
Woodrow Will
ACCUSE WlCKHEM
Declare Alexandria Man Has
Made Deal With Petit
grew on CLARK
ACCUSE WlCKHEM

TO the effect that the list CT Clark
delegates filed there last Saturday
was filed by supporters of L. S.
Johnson's candidacy Tor governor. to
offset an alleged deal between the
ator Richard Franklin P~ettigrew,
whereby Pcttigrcw was to support
Nickhcm in exchanges for the "Wil-
son-Ciark-Bryau" delegates agreeing
TO support Clark if elected at the
primaries, is Vigorously denied by
local Johnson supporters who partic-
lpated in the conference of democrats
at Mitchell last week. The state
ment that f. S. Johnson, or any of
his chief supporters. are responsible
for the filing of the Clark delegates
is absolutely untrue said one of
them today. Mr.. johnson and the
democrats who are supporting him
for the nomination for governor. are
for Woodrow Wilson for president and
they are giving him and the Wilson
Bryan-proo'essivc' delegate s their
unqualified support. MIR. Johnson had
nothing to do with the selection of
tho list of Clark delegates, and Meth
CT he nor his supporters and attempt-
ing to hedge or climb onto the Clark
bandwagon. They believe Woodrow
Wilson is the man the democrats
should nominate for president, and
they are going TO keep on fighting for
Wilson until the polls close on June
4. With All due respect to Nh. Pet
state is supporting him for United
states senator, the johnson democrats
do not recognize his right to dictate
whom tncy shall support for prcsi-
dent, and all the pressure Mr.. Petit
grew can bring TO bear in behalf of
Clark will not swerve them from
their loyalty to the New Jersey man
Some interesting stories are told of
that Mitchell conference. The john
son mon claim it was called on As
hours notice on purpose to put them
in a hole" because while the Wick
hem men and those supporting Champ
Clark for president, rad ample time
to got 10 the conference at the time
called many of the Wilson-lohnson
mau could not reach Mitchell Within
tho IS hours notice giYen them. When
they reached there, former senator
Pettigrcw told tlem in u pleasant
manncr, but in = tone that indicated
he meant it. that he would throw his
strength to whichever faction would
agree to support CLARK, and then pro
posed holding a presidential prefer
cnce primary in connection with the
regular state primary election June
4. to decide which candidate the dom
should support. The Johnson mel
pointed out there was no legal provis
ion for the proposed primary; tina
primary election officials could not b,
expected 10 provide the extra ballo
box required under the plan, and Il
see that none but democrats voted anC
that on the whole the plan was no
only without warrant of law, but i'm
practicable at we'll. After considcra
bic discussion, the plan was abandon
cd. and the conference Adjourned
Later, the johnson men declare tn
Wickhcm supporters, who are behin'
the "Wilson-Clark-BIyan' list of del
egates, made II deal with Pettigrew b
which they are to receive the supper
of Pettigrew for their list of dele
gates, with the understanding that
the delegates are elected they wi
drop Wilson and vote for Clark a
their first choice. In this alleged dea
between Pettigrew and Wlckhem,
was claimed, which caused the Jolr
son men to try 10 mount the Clar
bandwagon by filing a new straigt
Clark delegation. The Johnson MAI
ayers of the north part OF the state
however. deny that johnson or HI
supporters are responsible for the II
ing of the new list. and say neithe
they nor johnson himself had an