The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-10-09
JOHNSON faction
ASSh|LED BY MASS
MEETING ACTION
.Ex-G Governor Lee At
tacks Democratic
Leader.
TO OCT. Is
Party Strength Is Wanted
Tom Ayres Speaks
Strongly.

.Denouncing Ed. S. johnson, demo-
cratic candidate for the ~gorernorship
in 1912 and virtual dictator OF party
patronage in South Dakota, by infer
ence in both resolutions and speech
rs, the thirty members assembled at
the call of r. w. Clark, of Huron,
place themselves squarely on record.
Former Governor Andrew r. Lee,
the only democrat ever elected to
this position in South Dakota and
who openly bolted the head of the
state ticket last fall, and Tom S. Ay-
ers, who managed the Johnson gu
hernatorial campaign, both attacked
the Yankton man for his stand in
state affairs.
In a speech following the passage
of the resolutions, Governor Lee de-
clared that 'the democratic candi-
date for governor last fail" had been
aligned with corporate interests since
his entrance into the state and hat
he had been doing crooked work for
the past thirty years" He bitterly as
sailed Johnson for his control of
party affairs and attempts to win per-
sonal benefits.
Tom Ayers Speaks.
Mr.. Ayers. who had arrived in Nit
cilell Unexpectedly to attend the
meeting, spoke vehemently on men
in politics who made promises only
to break them. He quoted the nee
dote OF an lrishman who had advised
him only to say good things about a
man after his death. MI. Ayers Jew
eral months ago was the candidate
nal event collector.
Granville Jones, of Chamberlain.
chairman of the resolutions commit
tee, protested against the introduce
ton OF personal issues into any ac-
lions or resolutions of the meeting.
declaring that all should be conser-
vative and made Il plea for harmony
in the best interests OF the party. S.
A. Ramsey OF Woonsocket, chairman
of the meeting. made d p~acjficatory
plea against violent speech in the
meeting.
Resolutions Hit Leaders.
The resolutions. signed by Mr..
Jones, &. j. G~underson, OF Nermil-
lion, MI. Ayers, Nat Tyler. OF Sioux
Falls, and Senator n. l.. White OF
washington Springs. protested aga
inst differences in the party occasion
ed through selfishness. They declar-
ed that these differences were not
based on principle, but were brought
about by unfortunate disagreements
arising from preferences as TO candi-
dates
Altar several r1tlltac nf dDhoia
the meeting went soua,ely on record
against states of candidates prepared
in advance of the meeting Of the pro-
posal committees in Pierre.
John A. Bowler of Sioux Falls. who
opposed the wording of paragraphs
No. 5 OF the resolutions, touching
upon this question. asserted that
every one in the party was aware that
certain persons had chosen candi-
dates from doubtful counties in the
state with g view of %furthering their
own men when the committees met
at Pierre. Arguments OF Chairman
Jones and MIR. Ayers finally prevailed
and the section passed with a few
minor changes.
Enrolment Day Provided.
By the unanimous action of the
meeting. October Is was selected
as enrolment day. in accordance with
2 paragraph of the resolutions. p. j..
Wickem, of Alexandria, urged ali
party members to endeavor to secure
the full enrolment of party voters.
Tho meeting vas called to order at
$3.50 O'Clock in the afternoon by Mr..
Clark, signer of the call. After his
\ CT n n y, MT that ba ryo,,y3 ,,1L oo-,ilo,
holding the chair. Mr.. Ramsey was
chosen. Hugh Smith. of Howard. was
chosen temporary secretary until the
arrival of Nat Tyler, OF Sioux Falls.
Cotfey Sanctioned Session.
On first calling the meeting to or
der, Chairman Clark asserted that
James Cotfey, statc chairman, had
once sanctioned the conference, de-
spite his subsequent denunciation. He
denied any claim to the craftsmanship
iof the state central committee.
On his selection of The chairman
ship of the meeting, Mr.. Ramsey eu-
losized the administration Of Presi-
dent Nilsson and urged closer stud,
of The richards primary LAW. Sl.or,
speeches were made b. Nj. Jones ana
G. ]. G~underson, both declaring FOR
party harmony and stating that not a
man present was running for office.
Following the passage of the reso-
'ntions at the evening session, short
speeches were made by practically
every man present. The meeting ad-
iorrned shortly before II O'Clock.
The resolutions follow:
I'VE, your committee on resolu-
tons, desire to submit the following
resolutions.
Il. We the democrats of South Da-
kota assembled, declare it to be the
sense of this mass meeting that the
country at large is to be congratul-.
atel upon the strong patriotic conduct
of public affairs by those in charge
of tho national government.
"2. We are persuaded. in view of
the successful control and manage
ment of the national government,
that If the democrats of this state are
true to their principles and wise in
the selection of candidates to adyo-