The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-16
COL. WILKINSON
ROUNDS FORCES
DEMOCRATIC LEADER OF GAsS
COUNTY SHOWED HIS POWER
WAS SUPREME IN COUNTY YES
TERDAY AND WAS ENDORSED
FOR POSTMASTER OF FARGO.

Col. George w. wilkinson showed
himself all powerful yesterday after
noon at the organization meeting of
the Cass county democratic central
committee when he was not only re-
elected county chairman for a third
term but sswas unanimously endorsed
for postmaster Of Fargo. ~
It vas said to be the Macarthur and
Wilkinson machines working in per-
feet harmony, though the meeting was
sprinkled a little with the spirit Of the
independent leaders who publicly X
pressed their dissatisfaction with the
selection of chairman and proposed
the name. Of Senator Porterield.
But County Chairman Wilkinson
had everything well in hand. There
were twenty-eight members of the
committee present and thirty-two OF
the precinct committeeman elected at
the recent primaries were absent.
Colonel Wilkinson proceeded at once
to the organization of the new COM
mitteemen. His name was placed in
denomination by Col. M. A. Hildreth,
assistant United States attorney, who
entered into a lengthy eulogy Of the
chairman and his indefatigable efforts
for the democratic cause in this coun-
ty. s.
The chairman called Com. r. M.
Blakemore. to the chair. Colonel
Hildreth had just been about to put
the motion when Colonel Wilkinson
called Mr.. Blakemore. At ace an
opportunity was provided for the indie
pendent leaders to express their dis
satisfaction with the present county
organization. ::
Gaining recognition from the chair,
Fred w. Mclean stated it was some
thing new in a democratic meeting for
men to be restricted from the privi-,
lege Of expressing themselves. He
| said he knew of dissatisfaction with
the county organization and for" that
reason he placed in nomination for
chairman the name of Sen. W. P. Port"
erf1eld. The senator's nomination was
| seconded by J. w. McHose.
d.. Colonel Hildrefh, moved that the
| election be decided by a rising vote on
i roll call, each man publicly stating his
preference. Dennis Lynch proposed a
substitute motion that a secret ballot
be taken, The substitute motion was
lost by a vote of Is to 10. 49,.
On call of the roll Colonel Wilkinson
was reelected by a vote Of % to s. one
not voting. Two years ago he was
4 elected by a vote of % to- 6 over the
late Col. T. c. Kelly. It was easy
to see the harmony with which the
Macarthur and Wilkinson forces were
working yesterday. Among the Wilkin-
/ son boosters was, Joseph A. Kemp,
| son-in-law of State Chairman Nc
Arthur. Two years ago the Macarthur
factions were strongly opposed to
Colonel Wilkinson and were fighting
his reelection to the Craftsmanship at
every turn.
Walter Beard was elected secretary
of the committee unanimously to sue
coed George Wilson, who is rather
looked upon at this time as an anti
machine man, and who w years age
was elected because Of that fact
Senator Porterfield was unanimously
elected treasurer to succeed Commits
sioner Blakemore, who asked to re-
tire because of his connection with the
municipal government.
Resolutions endorsing President VII
son, Secretary of State Bryan, the ma
tionaI administration in it's every &C
ton Frank o. Hellstrom and the en-
tire state democratic ticket Of Nortl
Dakota were hen introduced by Col
M. A. Hildreth. They were carried b!
a unanimous vote.
: Commissioner Blakemore introduced
: a resolution endorsing the candidac!
/ Of Colonel Hildreth for United state
: district attorney and recommending
= ~ LUZ dppSlIlb11ASALI ~ N
! eral McReynolds.
A similar resolution endorsing Col
onel Wilkinson's candidacy for post
/ master of Fargo n recommending
; his appointment to Postmaster Genera
I Burleson was introduced by Melvin L
Hildreth. Bottle resolutions prevaile'
, without dissention.
When it came to the selection Q
state committeeman from the count,
1 committee, there was a tie between j
: w. McHose and Colonel Hildreth i
the Ninth district. They cast lots an
Colonel Hildreth won. The state com
= mitteemen selected were Colone
Hildreth from the Ninth district, Nor
: ris Katz from the Tenth and K. Dick
son from the Eleventh, which is sal
to make complete the Wilkinson
organization in Cass county. /~
Colonel Wilkinson was generous af
ter his reelection. He called on ever
man present for. a talk, c~ourteousl
Introducing even those who had op
posed him. In the last six months nj