St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-13
An Evident Intention on the Part Of Re-
publican Legislators to Tolerate
no Caucus Dictation,
All of Which, It is Claimed, Will Operate
to the Serious Detriment of
Gov. Davis.
The Tariff Question Likely to Cut An
Important Figure in the Sem
atorial Struggle.
Gen. Gordon E. Cole Would Not De-
cline An Election AS Revenue
Reform Repub lican.

| K. Davis furnishes striking illustration of
the fact. When the summer waned and
! the leaves were just beginning to turn il
seemed certain that there would be the
smoothest kind of sailing for Davis. and
well-informed politicians were of opinion
that he could not be defeated for the senate
by any combinations that could be made or
any events that might transpire. Along in
the early fall it was claimed by Davis
friends that enough of the legislators nomi-
mated were pledged 20 him to insure bis
election. no matter how all the other districts
might 90, and the impression got abroad
until it was a generally accepted belief.
| The Davis boom was all the go. and there
was no use for any one else to enter the
! lists. Since then there has been marked
| change, and Mr.. Davis has been steadily
| losing ground until now his defeat is claimed
| to be as absolute certainty as anything
can be in this world that has not actually
transpired. In the first place it has de-
veloped-so it is asSerted-that Davis has
not got majority of the Republican legis-
lators elect. and it is doubtful if he can get
any Democratic support on account of his
tariff veWs. 1t is alleged by those who
are actively opposing Mr.. Davis that be has
RESoRTED TO THE SAME METHODS
of securing these pledges or instructions as
did Senator Windom-and the latter. it will
be remembered, was literally wiped off the
| face of the earth. Window also claimed to
have enough votes to elect him before the
legislature convened; but he didn't capture
the prize all the same. He sent his agents
| about over the state to attend ali the county
conventions where nominations for the leg
| islature were made, and these men generally
managed to have a resolution introduced
and passed instructing for Window. There
was no one present in the interest of any
other candidates. ard of course the work
was easy. 1t is alleged that Davis
confidential clerk. Severance, went about
over the state for six weeks before the cleo
tiOns, attending the county conventions
and working in these instructions for
Davis, upon which his boom was con-
structed. Such instructions are not gen
orally considered very binding. it is as
serted, and Davis is not likely to have any
better luck with them than did Window.
A great many Davis Republicans were de-
feated in the election by Democrats. and
since good many of these pledged" Re
publican5-who have been elected-were
nominated. Davis has made his bad break
on the tariff. This has alienated scores
and scores of his friends and supporters,
and there Is known to be quite number
of members. nominated as Davis men, who
consider themselves abSOlved from further
alleg ance to him 0n this very account. 1t
is already evident that there will be a strong
contingent of low tariff Republicans
in the legislature who will OPP
80 al
this element the persistent opposition
of the Pillsburys, McGill and Gilman. and
the quiet resistance of Mcmillan, and the
difficulties that lie in the path of the ambi-
tiOus ex-governor are plainly apparent. 1t
is becoming clear that the friends of Davis,
who believe they have majority OF the
Republican members. will
ATTEMPT TO FORCE A CAUCUS.
Already there is abundant evidence that
a caucus will not be tolerated this time.
There is disposition to allow every neR-
Der to vote as he pieaSes and be bound by
no caucus dctatOn. This will hurt Mr..
Davis seriously. but he cannot object very
Strenuously, as he has record himself for
boIting caucuses. Without a caucus, it is
asserted, he cannot be nominated, and he
cannot be elected, it is claimed, through
any Democratic support. One significant
fact showing the break that has been made
from Davis is the position of the Pioneer
Press. At one time that paper was an ar
dent admirer and warm supporter Of Davis.
Recently it has said nothing in his favor,
but on one occasion gave him scoring for
his tariff views. 1t is believed that it will
soon come out in support Of Cole. This will
make it free-fOr all, the entries so far
being Davis, Gilman, Pillsbury and McAlil-
Ian, with several dark horses in the back
ground. The Pillsbufy and McGill in
fiuence will. of course, be eXerted against
Gilman, and vice versa McMillan's
friends indulge in hopes Of deadlock to
insure his election. But all OF them seem
to be against Davis. Mcmillan is so quiet
a factor that his strength cannot be esti-
mated. Gilman will have strong support
in the Fifth district. and Pillsbury will get
the votes that the Piilsburys are always
able to influence or control. Davis will
have goodly following OF enthusiastic
young men, who make lot of noise but
know nothing of politics. 1t is easy to pre-
dict their fate. Without the mandate of a
caucus to hold the Republicans together;
with the low-tariff Republicans irreyocably
arrayed against him; with no hope Of
Democratic aid. it is claimed that Davis
stands a poor chance to win. Davis and
Mcmillan both favor high protective
tariff and it looks now as if this issue will
be a very important factor in the fight.
And it is certain that if this issue is raised
Davis will suffer more than any other
candidate.
REVENUE REFORM REPUBLICAN.
In this situation of affairs there seems to
be fair opening for Republican of char
acter and ability who is in favor of tariff
reform and opposed to protection. There
is said to be g00dly number of the Repub-
lican Legislators elect who would vote for
such a man. and it is claimed that the Dem
Ocratic strength might be thrown to him
under certain contingencies. Ii such
comb nation is formed it is problem who
will be the man to unite upon. There has
been some talk about Gordon E. Cole, of
Faribault as the proper man. He is a low
tariff man and does not enjoy the reputa-
ton of being bitter partisan. although a
pronounced Republican. The matter being
broached TO him yesterday by GLOBE re-
porter, Gen. Cole said:
/ certainly am not d candidate for senator.
/ have heard something of a movement of
this character, but it has not been put under
way By me. / have received several letters
from different parts OF the state in regard to
the MATE er, and the editor of the Democratic
paper at Fdribault has had something to say
about 1t. determined to take no part in the
recent political campaign, and declined to
make any speeches. But, on the night pre-
ceding the election, the Young Meu's Repub-
lican club at Faribsult insisted that / should
make a speech for them, and at last | con-
sented. In that speech took stroag grounds
Ia favor OF revenus reform and it seems tn
have created good deal Of comment in nv
part of the state. Some one suggested, after
made the speech, that this was good enough
doctrine for the masses of the people OF MIN
nesota-Democrats as well as Republicans
and from this the movement in ny favor