The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-06-20
PROMISE TO
WITHDRAW II
Not CHOSEN
Speakers at Republican Con-
vention Say Victory
Is In Sight L
UNION NEEDED TO
CARRY ELECTION
Delegates Determined To
Choose Strongest Candi-
date for Party.
kRv 4. D. PauIson.l

(By n. D. PauIson.)
Grand Forks, N. D.. June 20.-FouT
Republican candidates for congress,
each of whom has filed nominating
petitions and is assured place on
the ballot in the special congreSslonai
election on July 10, have pledged
themselves to withdraw from the race
and give active support to the nomi-
nee of todays district convention,
held in Grand Forks.
The four candidates-Henry G. Wick,
Penlbina county; Fred T. Cuthbert,
Ramsey county; yolger B. Burtness,
Grand Forks county, and Charles w.
Plain, reached such an agreement last
evening. and made statement to that
effect at an informal conference OF the
delegates that didn't adjourn till
nearly o'clock this morning.
Their statement follows:
To the Members of the Repub-
lican Convention of the First
Congressional district:
without presuming that we are
the only candidates to be censi-
dered by your body, but, having
filed our petitions as Republican
candidates, we desire to state that
we pledge ourselves. to abide by
the results of your deliberations
and to loyalty support your nomi-
nee.
Respectfully submitted.
HENRY G. WICK.
FRED T. .CUTHBERT.
OLGER B. BURTNESS.
CHARLES W.. PLAIN.
This statement, received by the con-
vention delegates with undisguised
enthusiasm, was looked upon as open
ing the way to the consideration OF
the nomination. by today's conven-
ton, of a candidate best suited to
meet the conditions existing within
the First district, with the certainty
that such nominee would receive the
undivided support of the unsuccessful
The statement by the four candi-
dates was read at conference
presided over by Hon. Bernt Ander-
son. Ramsey county, chairman OF the
congressional district committee, that
made the call for the convention
Convention Organizes.
The convention had not reached the
point of discussing candidates, though
they completed their organization at
this mornings session, electing r. M.
Pollock. Fargo, chairman, and Fred
Traynor, Devils Lake, secretary.
All counties with the exception or
Ransom, which held no convention TO
name delegates, are represented, about
being expected by the time this after
Moons session opened after 2 o'clock.
Republicans here seemed of one
opinion on the question of selecting a
candidate who can best make the race,
and delegates with 'favorite sons"
stand ready to sacrifice them If need
be to find winner. Only four candi-
dates who have filed nominating petit
tions, Wick of Pembinas Burtness OF
cd nf CQVoliGT
Cuthbert OF Ramsey, are being given
consideration at this time.
Bernt Anderson, Ramsey county,
called the convention TO order Messrs.
Spalding OF Fargo, Twichell of Maple
ton, and Pollock of Fargo were NOM
mated for temporary chairman, the
choice Of Mr.. Pollock being unanimous
when Messrs. Spalding and Twichell
withdrew.
Mr.. Pollock stated briefly his con-
ception Of the great responsibility rest
ing upon the district, of naming a
candidate who ably and properly rep
resents the people in the present war
crisis, and also will sit in congress
when the war ends, and the great
task Of reconstruction will be COM
menced. ''Then will come the time for
building world democracy he said,
"and the nation will require counsels
of its most able men, as the United
States undoubtedly will take a prom
tnent part in world affairs"
The proposal by Delegate White of
Trail county to appoint a committee
to consider the conventions position
on constitutional amendments that
may be proposed by the Nonpartisan
league. was not acted upon, on the
theory that such issue was foreign to
this convention, and that no steps
taken could be made binding upon Re-
pnblican voters Of the entire state, in
asmuch as the convention represents
only one section.
The rules committee comprises
Messrs. Fowler, Cass; Grey. Walsh;
Swiggum. Walsh; Steenson. Trail;
Helvig. Nelson: Stevens, Ramsey;
Law, Steele; Mclean. Cavalier; john
son, Sargent; Power. Richland; Smith,
Tower; and Sande, Grand Forks
The resolutions committee comprises
Messrs. Fowler, Cass; Grey. Walsh;
Paulson, Traill; McFadden. Pembina;
Kelly, Nelson; Doyon, Ramsey; Lath-
rop, Steele; Groom, Cavalier; Russell
Sargent; Hughes, Richland; Mcdonald,
Towner; and Wineman. Grand Forks.
A series of addresses, including re-
marks by the congressional candi-
dates, featured the conference, the
thought that the Republicans of the
First district should place in the race
a man of unquestioned Americanlsmi
q man who stands back of the gov
ernment in the thorough prosecution
ofsthe war with Germany; who viii
be fitted to. meet the great problems
that will confront the nation when
the war is over, problems probably
more vital than are those which even
now CONFRONT the United States, pre-
vailing among all who addressed the
meeting.
Expect To Win.
That the Republicans Of the First |
congressional district, by properly un-
fting their forces, are in position to
obtain the election Of their candi- |
date. ana that there is need for the |
election OF a Republican as the rep |
resentative of this district, was gem
kraIly conceded by the speakers.
Adoption by the convention Of an
Affirmative program, advocated by "A. /