Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-07-06
in STATE CONVENTION
Democrats Met at Huron Yesterday
Adopted Platform, Elected Chair
man, Speech by Rinehart.
Mitchell is State Headquarters.

win Two nundreO ana thirty INT DEL
egates present, the state convention
for the democratic party of SOUTH Da-
kota opened in Huron yesterday morn
ing at 10 O'Clock. The meetings were
held in the hall of the X. P. society.
The first session was called to order
at 10:15 by FL. j. Rock of Aberdeen,
party state chairman, who at length
thanked the members of the party for
the honors bestowed upon him. and in
closing stated that he was about to
place the party reins into the hands of
another free from any party entangle-
ments. He was warmly applauded.
Next in order was the selection of
temporary chairman, and that position
fell to John Il. Cogan of Sioux Falls by
almost unanimous vote.
rotary, ID. w. Downey of Aberdeen
was chosen, there being no dissenting
vote.
AT the conclusion of this routine of
business Mr.. Cogan addressed the as
| %semblage. He spoke OF the achieve
ments wrought during the present adj
ministration, speaking highest terms of
praise of the progressive legislation that
mad been put in effect by the national
democratic administration; declared the
democratic party had put the business
] 80 tl,n ,.n,,,trt, grn.r.lv ,,,o, -, foot
and that manufacturing plants now oc-
| cupy the locations where for more than
thirty years stood the soup houses,
made necessary by republican misrule.
He p%rophesied a victory for the demo
cratic party both in the nation and the
state OF South Dakota. Mr.. Cogan's
speech was royalty received and when
he took the chair he was loudly cheered.
A motion then ~prepailed that Chair.
man Cogan be empowered to appoint
ii committee of five on permanent or
ganization; "a resolution committee, and
a c%redential committee. The chairman
named the following delegates as such
committees:
Permanent organizations: johnson of
Minnehaha, Michels of Dawson, Wick
hem of Hanson, Childs of Sphinx and
Wentzey of Pennington.
Resolutions: Christ of Hand, Ryan of
Brown, Baab of Clay, Donald of Mar.
shall, and Fellows of Minnehaha.
Credentials: Bicknell OF Day, Hobson
of Yankton. Peterson of Lyman, Grant
of Clark, and Greenough of Hughes.
Then came calls for Speech by p.
w. Wickem!' That gentleman soon
found his way to the platform. He
said he considerable a pleasure to speak
to South Dakota democrats in their
state convention, Notwithstanding the
fact hat he had attended every party
convention ever held in the state. II
have ever given all the force at my
command to the success of the demo-
cratic party crndiaates from president
down to the local offices, and | am
just a little stronger today in my belief
that the democratic party is the party
of and for the people" (Cheers). 81
see before me today more than thirty
men holding credentials in this conven-
ton, as delegates and as democrats for
the first time; and, this act on their
part makes me glad. Tell the people
that which we will do if the business
affairs of this state is given into our
care, then redeem the pledges, and new
blood will come to the democratic party
as to any other party since the
memory of man began"
A motion, that an adjournment be
had until l:3o, then prevailed.
Afternoon Meeting
First calling the convention to order,
Chairman Cogan inquired if the com
mittees were ready to report. This
brought in the report of the committee
on permanent organization. The report
asked that the temporary organization
be made the permanent one; and, that
was done.
The eredential committee then asked
to report. The report showed that no
seats were under conrest and that all
persons holding credentials had been
admitted as delegates to the convention.
Report was adopted.
Pending the report of the resolution
committee. short talks we're made by
Hon. John Boiler of Sioux Falls, Harry
Wentzy Of Rapid City, H. J. Rock Of
Aberdeen, Mr.. Fellows Of Sioux Falls,
and others.
After onn delay the resolution com
mittee. which convened during the noon
hour at the Royal hotel, brought in the
platform.
Resolutions adopted endorsing
the Wilson administration, and com.
iTaending United States Senator Ed. s.,
Johnson sud Congressman Harry y.
Il 49, NL HE ZAEA 49, n-h - AN H N- 11A M