The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1917-07-21


house, was one of the most decisive,
momentous and far-reaching conven-
lions ever held in Duluth and that
is saying much. Among the many
incidents and results of the events
were the following, viz:
1.-Charles A. Towne, by an over
whelming vote, beat o. D. Kinney for
the support of st. Louis county for
the republican congressional nomin-
alton, after a hot and bitter cam
paign.
1.-The old brick courthouse was
almost completely scrubbed out from
top to bottom and new officials
given the places of men who had
been fixtures. Men previously prom
inent in republican politics went per-
manently into the discard.
3.-The convention was domin-
ated by men who faithfully and even
blindly followed the political leader
ship of w. A. Cant, said leadership
eventually being carried on in the
name of "the Getty-Willcuts ma
chine"
was "the little red book" in which
chairman Cant had previously writ
ten the "slate" and which book
caused mingled derision and merri-
ment when it was brought forth and
the names read out.
5.-The convention had 1913 dele
gates and only 1913 legal votes. w.
A. Cant, chairman, handed down his
famous decision, that a ballot show
ing 100 votes was not void but fully
legal. The decision was accepted.
6.-George w. Buck, republican
county chairman, was shown that
Pennsylvania's political precedents
could not prevail in that convention
over the precedents of the republican
party of Minnesota.
7.-Odin Halden was first elected
auditor, an office which he has re-
tanned ever since and which he Sc
cured by opposing his former en-
ployer and benefactor, Geo. N. La
Vague.
8.-The convention lasted from
$3.50 p. m. on Monday until 81
A. m. on Tuesday, the longest repub-
lican convention on record in St.
Louis equity, it now is claimed.
Geo. w. Buck, republican county
chairman, raped the convention to
order at $3.50 p. m. and started to
read the call. '--
81 move to dispense with the read
ing of the call and place w. A. Cant
in nomination for temporary chair
man." exclaimed o. w. Baldwin in
stentorian tones.
81 decline to entertain any motion
until we proceed regularly by read
ing the CALL" brusquely replied Buck.
"Then I'll appeal from your deci-
sion," declared Baldwin.
ITO whom will you appeal?" in
CURED Mr.. Buck.
ITO the delegates" Baldwin re-
piled.
"Who are they?" Mr.. Buck wanted
to know.
That stumped Baldwin, who sat
down.
H. C. Kendall then jumped into
the fray by also nominating w. A.
Cant for temporary chairman.
Again Mr.. Buck refused to enter
tain the motion.
Kendall declared that his motion
was in line with republican preced-
ents.
Il have no means of knowing who
the delegates are," Mr.. Buck in
formed Kendall.
"It's none of your business"
shouted the old wire-puller from the
Wabash. The delegates and the on
lockers howled and cheered.
Mr.. Buck started to inform the
delegates how things were done in
PENNSYLVANIA and that his experience
in such things back there qualified
him to know what was what.
o. w. Baldwin, who had pre-
proper procedure, again got the floor
and said:
1--WE now are the assembly of the
people of st. Louis county. We thank
you for your courtesy but we now
are able to govern ourselves. More
than that, we propose to do so. We
propose to proceed under the proceed
ents of the republican party. I do
not know what they do in Pennsyl-
vania. We will be guided only by
the presidents of Minnesota"
Loud cheers and great excitement
followed Mr.. Baldwin's fiery declar-
alton.
o. D. Kinney, who we'll knew that
his political star had set, at least for
that campaign, arose and said that
he had no interest as to temporary
chairman but that he did not see how
proper procedure could be taken
until the credentials were presented.
"Bosh! Rats!" cried many dele
gates after which were Kisses and a
great commotion.
Mr.. Kinney then moved the nomin-
alton of Joseph B. Cotton for tenn
porary chairman.
81 give my word of honor that
the congressional fight shall not
enter into this thing. When the
time comes, I am willing to move