The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-01-20
OUR ST. PAUL LETTER.
pecial correspondence of the GAZETTE.

$pec1al correspondence OF the GAZETTE.
ST.. PAUL, Jan. Is, 1881.
Well! The great duty of the pres.
mt Legislature is at last performed
without any delay or serious ccmmo.
ION fanny kind, and the members all
Gem to feel relieved, and exhibit a
eadiness to get down to solid work
N the minor details of law making
nd law amending.
The Republican caucus called for
last Thursday night had been the
principal theme of conversation
.mong politicians for days, and such
intense work "a was performed ky
The LEADERS, of the different factions
vas never before witnessed or even,
imagined by your correspondent.
although equally intense, alert and
determined, there was q notable dif.
ference in the efforts Of the variu,s
leaders apparent to even casu,l oh.
server. The Mcmillan staff hal
counted noses" and were evidently
well contented with the result, and
Early in the g nm, gave over trying to
make more votes, but rather devoted
themselves to the stiffcning Of weak
backs among their own friends, and
combating the influences Of money
md patronage offered so abnndantly
by the Ramsey clacquers in exchange
for votes.
Wednesday evening the caucusing
for votes reached its highest pitch,
and the lobby of the Merchants Ho-
tel presented a most fantastic appear
ance.. Tho cool, quiet, determined
men had their heads together in lit
tie knots and groups, talking in low,
suppressed tones, their every m 'tion
and gesture indicating the closest
secresy, while among them, here,
there, everywhere hurried back and
forth, in and out, the nervous aud the
fidgety ones, rs though their success
depended on constant and rapid ac-
ton. Here also was the ''sport" bet
ting on the strength of their respect
i've candidates in the caucus, and last
and least the idle spectator, taking in
the novelty of the sight. Thursday
evening arrived and the ia Isepub-
licans who took part in the caucus in
the Representative chamber was but Il
small fraction of the crowd il. the Cap
itol. The State offices were thrown
open and filled with the friends of
the different candidates, the I'sur-
ance Commissioners office being the
headquarters for the Mcmillan men.
When the result of the formal ballot
them (64 for Mcmillan out
Of ll4) there was great deal of
quiet congratulation and hanl-shak-
ing among the men who were watch
ing the result with such interest, but
when the result of the formal ballot
was known. (7s for McMi.l"n,) the
|ong suppressed. enthusiasm. bu::
forth, and cheer on cheer rent the air
and sounded through the Capitol
from basement to raftcrs.
Aud so ended the great fight Cor
the Senatorial honors. OF course the
elective vote will not be taken till the
18th, but the fight ended with the
caucus.
l wish to say in this connection
that the feeling among Senator
McMillan's friends is in n, way hos
tile to Secretary Ramsey; on the con-
trary some of his warmest per"
friends have thought it their duty to
support Mr.. McA[i Ian, and it is the
universal sentiment that Mr.. Ramsey
should have been spared this humi!li-
alton, and would have been but for
the blind persistence Of some Of his
friends, who, more Jealous than pru-
deut, re 'use;l to believe facts within
their observation.
Next week we will also endeav ,r to
get down to the i t.ls of legislat on
and give you brief SYNOPSIS Of the
important bills thus far introduced
and passed. REn WOOD.