Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-03-23
KNUTE'S WORK.

Soren ListOe, Register of the Land Office
at Fergus Falls, Suspended by the Presi-
dent--George w. BOyington Takes His
| PIace--What Mr.. ListOe Says--The Ante
cedents of the New AppOintee.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.l
FERGUS FALLS, Mimi, March 23.-The
news that SorenListee has been superseded
by George w. Boyington as register of the
land Office, at this city, came late to night,
and is only known to few. 1t is more
than likely that it will set the political pot
to boiling over tomorrow. Some of the
insiders have been "on' to the change for
some time past, but it has not been very
generally known.
1t was of course apprehended when Mel
son was elected that Listoe would go, they
being personal and political enemies, but
who would be his successor was
matter of conjecture. Just what the
esult will be is not at present very clear
politically. Boylngton, in his effort to
obtain the Office, has been opposed by the
fossil elements, who have generally cor
trolled the politics of Otter Tail county,
and his appointment will not probably be
taken with very good grace by some of
them. Nelson is doubles aware that he
does not owe his nomination to them, and
may be taking this method of getting even.
The Journal, of this city, supposed to be
the official mouthpiece of the fossil ele-
ment, before the nominating convention
opposed Nelson and advocated
McCrea. When it found the
tide was against it, it of course Topped,
but too late to secure influence with the
honorable Knute. It will be no surprise
to most people to learn that Nelson has
had Listoe removed, as they have been
against each other for some years. Both
are Norwegians. and probably there has
been some little jealousy owing to per-
sonal rivalry among their own people.
When Listoe was appointed register in
1875, Nelson opposed him, and when Lis
toe got the land Office removed from Alex
andria, Nelson's home, the following year,
the breach widened. During the congress
sional campaign Listoe opposed Nelson,
and aided Kindred all he could.
A GLOBE reporter saw Boyington. at his
residence at midnight. The interview was
short and sweet. The newly appointed
register said: Il wanted the Office and
we'll, got it, and that's all there is of it.
l have nothing more to say"
Nothing further could be got out of him
Soren Listoe was found at a social
gathering, and in answer to the question
as to his supposition as to the cause of his
suspension, expressed surprise and said he
did not know he was removed
When informed that the Asso
ciated Press to the morning
Telegram contained the information that
President Arthur had suspended Sorer
Listoe, register of the land Office at Fergus
Falls, and had designated Geo. W. Boying
ton of that place to act in his stead,he said
Il know of no reason why l should be
removed. l have always been compli
mented by the department upon the con
dition of affairs in my Office, and have beer
repeatedly told that my Office was conduct
ed as well as any in the state. I suppose
Knute Nelson has caused my removal, be
cause I had the audacity (,
support the regular Republican
candidate for congress in the
fifth district last fall. Whether this is in &C
cordance with the new civil service rules
or not don't know. However, Mr.. Nelse1
!, is welcome to all he can make out of my
removal. I am perfectly satisfied if he is
Boyington's obtaining the register
Office in spite of the opposition of promi
nent politicians is in keeping with hi
former record. In 1878 he ran for regis
ter of deeds and met the united opposition
of every politician in the county. After
! big fight he got the nomination, but wa
only elected by the skin of his teeth, de
feating his Democratic opponent, JOIN
CARRIER, by only 16. Ia 1880 ne was again
elected after bitter fight. This time h
f was opposed by Knute Brandvold, a Re
I publican and a Norwegian. He downe
7 him in good shape, and had a majority 0
p 524, carrying every Democratic town il
the county. In 1880 he had fight for tn
nomination, but after getting it was en-
dOrsed by both Republican and Demo
p cratic conventions, and had no further OPP
position. AS can be imagined, he is cor
, siderable of a politician. He is a youn
s man, thirty-fve years old, came to Mime
, sofa in the regular army in 1866, settled i
+ Fergus Falls in 1874, and has gradual
wcri ed his way up.
The Dukes Seat.