The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-12-04
STRATEGY SEEN
AT MASS MEETING
HOT POLITICAL FIGHT FOR CON
troll MARKED REPUBLICAN
MAJORITY SESSION.

Political skirmishing and hot
cross-fire marked the baptism of the
Richards primary system in the re-
publican majority mass convention at
the coutr house yesterday afternoon.
The big court room was packed to
the doors with adherents of the two
elements in the convention long be-
fore 2 O'Clock, the hour set for the
opening.
Promptly on the minute, John N.
Grow, who had seated himself inside
the rail reserved for counsel in the
circuit court, rose to his feet and
commenced the reading of the call.
A syllable had hardly passed his lips
before T. G. Burns, leader of the
Branson element, had arisen and
nominated Robert Burns to read the
call.
The nomination drew forth a pro-
test from Mr.. Crow and the hour
long skirmisll was on. T. C. Burns
asserted that the Richards law speci-
fed that the reader of the call
should be a man with a loud voice
and put the vote for Robert Burns.
A chorus of ayes" swelled up and
Robert Burns drew the call from his
pocket, advanced to the front of the
court DON and finished the reading.
Kobt. Burns to Chair.
81 now move hat Robt. Burns be
chairman of this convention,' shout
ed r. C. Burns, as the reader finish
ed the call. "All in favor say Aye"
The ayes were forthcoming in
stantly and Mr.. Burns was declared
elected.
This move Immediately drew the
fire of State Senator G. II. Helgerson
of Mt. Vernon, who declared that no
votes were asked from the opposition
and placed in nomination DR.. II. j.
Lamme.
THAT is rotten, You're nothing
but an old line party boss" shouted
Mr.. Crow as he stood up in front of
the aisle in which 7. c. Burns was
standing and shook his fists. Lewis
Shuster, who was later nominated
for state proposal committeeman, al
so added his opinion to that of his
colleague, Mr.. Crow.
Oil on the Waters.
Chairman Burns temporarily pour
ed oil on the troubled waters by de-
claring that he did not want the chair
put the matter to a rising vote and
woo hCPt III ~ Shull NY III SSPlSG-
sion of easily two to one.
r. C. Burns then placed in nomin.
alton Paul M. Young for the office OF
secretary. There were no voices o
dissent and Mr.. Young was chosen
by a rising vote. No one rose in OPP.
position and Chairman Burns declar
ed the election was unanimous.
w. III. King advanced to the from
and read a set of resolutions, which
pledged fidelity to the principles o
Governor Frank M. Byrne and pledg,
ed the support of the committeeman
to the governor, Senator Coe
Crawford and Congressman c. II
Dillon. The resolutions were carried
by reclamation, when II. c. Burn
seconded the motion to adopt then
and asked thatlthey be unanimousl,
|; carried.
At this juncture the active fightin,
in the convention was renewed whel
t. c. Burns made the motion tina
Ray L.. Branson be selected as stat,
proposal committeeman for the ma
jority element from Dawson county
S. III. Scallin followed with the nom
ination of MIR. Shuster.
"A Running Debate.
The motions for the election of TIL,
state committeeman precipitatcd
running debate, participated in b,
Chairman Burns. r. c. Burns, DIR. r
j. Lamme, e. M. Cochran, E. I.
Ransom and Lauritz Miller. Mi
Grow demanded the floor numerou
times during the discussion. F.. L
Ransom moved hat the matter b
settled by a vote by secret ballot
saying both candidates We're hi
friends, but this was supersede,
when the motion, made by T. c
Burns. was carried that Roberts
rules of order should govern. Chair
man Burns ruled that under tn,
rules, as the nominations We're mad
by motion, the first motion woul,
have to be carried or rejected.
The motion by Mr.. Crow to lay al
motions on the table was lost by
rising vot and "a moment later tn
motion electing Mr.. Branson was car
ried by an easy majority. the risiDi
vote going two to one. T. C. Burn
moved the selection of the list o
precinct committeeman. as submitted
and the vote vas carried without op
position.
The convention adjourned withou
u further action.