St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-06-29
CONTINUED from page u

rousing speech predicting the
Democrats would capture the
White House in November and re-
tain control OF the Minnesota
government.
II was obvious that Humphrey
used his wide influence, personal
magnetism and ability to keep the
theme Of party unity in the minds
OF the convention delegates.
Despite the fact that he sup
ported Adlai Stevenson, the loser
In the March primaries, practical
ly every leader in the Kefauver
crowd admires and respects Hum
phrey, and with the exception OF
the primary hassle. follow his
leadership.
II was evident that both camps
depended ON Humphrey to keep
harmony. and his supporters, and
aides were all around the conven-
ton ironing out disputes. and
keeping the delegates on the main
job OF maintaining party harmony,
There were many official and
after session affairs. The Reuther
luncheon, the reception given by
Senator Humphrey and Gov. Free
man were highlIghts Of the festive
affairs,
Some OF the convention COM
mittees had not completely finish
ed their work when the final gavel
was raped. A part Of the plat
form committees report had to be
referred to the state central COM
mittee.
The issue which attracted the
most convention interest along
with fight TO keep the party en-
dorsement from Paul Rasmussen,
incumben r. r. and Warehouse
commissioner was the issue OF
whether the Kefauver delegates 10
the national convention should be
allowed to select the three dele
gates at large and the "a alter
nate delegates.
Don wozniRk. Robert Short,
Peter Popouch and Hjalmar
Petersen, Kefauver leaders con-
tended that they had a pre-con-
vention understanding that these
delegates which had To be pledged
to Kefauver were TO be selected by
the Kefauver group and would
have the support in the nominal
ing committee OF the Stevenson
controlled nominating committee
and party machinery.
A hitch developed when Steven
son supporters suggested that
such move smacked Of "bossism'
an issue which the Kefauver PEG.
pie were accused OF using in the
primary campaign A motion pre-.
vailed in the nominating and each
congressional district was asked
10 submit two names for candidate
for alternate Tor Kefauver.
After the district caucaSses IN,
nominating committee under tn,
craftsmanship OF Minneapolis labor
leader steve Nehottc worked for
hours trying TO decide the compo
sition OF the slate to be submitted
to the convention.
4 Finally in a harmony move IN,
committee nominated the entirt
slate with only a single exception
submitted by Representative Dol
woEniak in behalf Of the Kefau
yer delegates who had recon
mendcd the names.
The convention then O.Ked b.
voice vote the motion Of woznial
the delegates nominated be elect
ed
The three delegates at larg
pledged 60 Kefauver were Mic
Krmpotich. Coleraine, Cecil New
man. Twin City publisher first ns
tonaly known Negro to dro
Stevenson for Senator Kefauvc.
and Charles Gardner OF Hihhing
! Newman's election meant NV
Minnesota Negro American
would be delegates to the nation,
convention, Willard Jones YDF'
leader and Stevenson slate cand
date for delegate at large will a
50 be a delegate because Of fol
| places which the Ketauver peop'
vacated by a pre-primary Sgre,
! ment.
J! This win be the first time in n
history Of either party In n
state that Negroes have bee
elected delegates 20 nations
convention from Minnesota.
III -Four members % the nomina
| ing committee voluntarily spoil
before the nili committee In favS
% Cecil Newman for delegate I
large. They were Gerald Diilo
retiring Ffth district chairrnaI
Representative John skeat
Emil Krieg. editor Of Minnesot
/ Labor and Gordon spielman. pul
|. Usher Of the rrtuSph-Montsr'