New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-25
MINNESOTA POLITICS.
A REPUBLICAN STANDARD BEARER.


PECTs OF HIS DEFEAT.
lFRoN THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
MANKATO. Mimi. July 21.-The Republican party
of Minnesota any part of IL never dld more ull-
popular act than TO renominate, last week Repre-
sentative Dunnel salary grabber, for another term
III Congress- and to-day the politicians and the peo-
pie of the State are excited over the canvass
in the LIST District than the question whether
Senator Ramsey Gov. Davis, Orex-Gov. Austin shall
succeed TO the United States Senatorship in ls'5.
Mr.. Dunnell was disqualified to be a candidate Tor
reelection by the State Republican platform adopted
in 1873 and which nearly every delegate from his
district in the State Convention voted for. That
platform denounced the salary-steal in the most
severe terms and il not until recently supposed
that man who mad voted for the grab" as Dun
nell did who began hauling sand for a new house
the moment the steal became assured and who had
tried 10 regain his position in the party by falsl-
flying his record, could ever hope for Republican
support again.
And Dunnell has actually been able 10 command
the votes in caucus. of but very few Republicans,
The office-holders of the district, with here and
there an exception. the Postmasters and Registers
and Receivers of the Land Offices. ran the county
conventions and chose the delegates who went 10
OwatOnna week ago, and 1t would be farce To
say that they represented the people. The City of
district. In one ward of that city the Republican
caucus was attended bv only eight voters,
in another ten were present and in the third there
were only six In the whole county there were only
one or two other caucuses held at all. The delega-
ton in the District Convention from Blue Earth
County the one in which MaukatO is situated, with
drew from the Convention In a body when 1t was
apparent that Dunnell would be nominated and
there was not probably county in the district III
which he had the support of a majority Of the Re
publican voters.
4 SALARY-GRABBERs RECORD.
The Republican press of the district and through
out the state opposed Dunnell, The ST. Pau Press.
the Administration State organ. for months made a
most bitter fight against him, and predicted the de-
feat of the party II he put upon the track anu
the leading Republicans of the state such as sena-
tors Window and Ramsey. and host Of others less
widely known. either opposed his nomination OF
gave him no efficient aid.
Mr. DunnelPs unpopularity is not due entirely 70
his course in regard to the back pay steal although
that ought 10 have been enough 10 defeat him. bis
record was not particularly good before he went 10
Congress. While a member Of the State Leglsla-
tire he very active securing the passage OF
law creating the office OF state superintendent OF
instruction. The Constitution Of Minnesota pro-
vides that no vino has been member OF the
Legislature shall be eligible, within year from the
expiration of his term, to any Office which was
created or the ernoluments of which were increased
while he was such a member. But Dunnell was ap
pointed Superintendent Of obstruction nOtwith-
standing this constitutional prohibition, with the
understanding, however. thai he should drop politics
and devote himself to the educational interests OF
the State. 4 few months after, I'm informed he
wrote a letter which put him in the ned as a can
ddate for Congress, and previous 70 the Conven-
ton used the machinery OF LIS Oi.ce - secure LIS
nomination.
While he was Superintendent of Pallc Instruc-
ton also he used his influence with the Legislature
10 secure the passage OF an act requiring uniformity
of text books in the schools throughout the State.
and. by virtue Of his position, one Of the Com
mission which selected the ooks To be used. His
enemies profess their ability 70 prove that he was
not actuated by the highest motives IN making these
selections and the people think chat they pay more
than they ought for the books.
TIE DEMOCRATS Confident OF DEFEATING Dun
NELL.
There was some talk about the time of the Con-
yentiop that some independent Republican, would
take the field against Dunnel, but | think TINS
very doubtful There might be a bolt if such can
didate could hope 10 receive the support OF the
Democrats or Anti-Monopolists. But the opposition
4
that they see no need of trading with the discon-
tented Republicans; they feel very sure OF eectIng
a man of their own. and have no doubt they viii
do il if they are wise in the selection OF candidate
One of the first 70 be spoken of by them was Judge
Mitchell of Winona. probably the strongest man the
party has IN the State He is lawyer OF more than
ordinary ability, and a man whose uprghtness ana
integrity has never IN the slightest degree been
questioned He was chosen TO his present position
bv the unanimous vote Of both parties and there Is
little doubt that many of the antl-DunnelI Repubh-
cans would vote for him if he placed IN noml-
nation But The 81. Paul Pioneer announced two or
three DAYS ago that its editor had received letter
from Judge Mitchell saying that he could not under
any circumstances, allow his name to be used IN the
Convention also heard at Winona that he would
not consent to 90 20 Washington without his family
the expense of which the salary of a Representative
would not enable him to pay there.
CLERICAL CANDIDATE.
The next most prominent candidate IS a NJ. bueI
who will probably get the nomination. Tins gentle
man came 10 Minnesota several years ago. and was
by profession a clergyman. He has always been an
ardent Democrat, even during the war, when
Democratic preacher was rare bird IN these parts
hut be was believe, thoroughly loyal IN his sym
pathes and warmly supported every important war
measure. BE is now practical farmer which VII!
recommend him 10 the Gran gers, and he Will have
the additional advantage of possessing character
wholly above reproach The names OF several other
candidates are mentioned, but one appears 70 be
as strong as Mr.. Buel.
The canvass, whoever IS nominated by the opposi-
ZION. Will be a very spirited one. Dunne will make
if So He is admitted by representatives OF AL par
ties TO be one of the interchangeable campaigners
in the State. He viii travel into every county OF
his immense district and stop at every little village