St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-17
WaShburn Men Examining
the Salt River Route Via
the Sault.
What Gov. Merriam Said to
an Anxious Inquirer
After Truth.

RepuDllcan pOllClc1anS OF W1nOna
county, who called upon him for the
express purpose of ascertaining the
truth OF falsity of the assertions that he
was dark horse in the senatorial fight.
1t ought to be sufficient answer to those
deserters from the Washburn camp
who for the last week have been as
serting that he would enter the race
as soon as Washburn withdrew.
At the same time Lieut.. Gov.
Rice denies emphaticallY that he is or
has been party to any combination
looking to the election OF Mr.. Merriam
as senator or his own elevation to the
governorship. At the same time close
said last night:
''Mr. Merriam understands that for
him to enter this fight is to imperil some
of the best material interests of st.
Paul; that he would not only win an
unsatisfactory lin the end triumph for
himself. but do this city an injury in
calculable in its extent. 1 do not be-
lieve that he is making the slightest en-
deavor to complieate. this fight. If he
is, it is being done so quietly that when
the storm does break it will be cyclonic
in its nature"
The split and division in the
Washburn camp has become very
marked. At the secret Washburn
caucuses held yesterday, and in the
talks held among his leaders, there
were two factions constantly confront
ing each other. The strongest of these
factions contended that Washburn was
beaten, and that it was useless to con-
tinue the fight under him; that it was
folly for him to enter the caucus, and
that there was left for them to do
was to work to defeat Sabin. The adj
vice of this faction, and it represented
powerful factors, was to do anything
that would prevent caucus decision
being reached tonight. The minority
faction insisted on WaShburn'S enter
ing the caucus, not with the idea of be-
ing successful, but of waiting for some
break that would enable WaShburn to
name the nominee. Neither side reached
any satisfactory understanding up to
last night, and it remains matter of
doubt as to what they will do. Un-
dOubtedly, as far as talk goes, the
WaShburn men are afraid of the caucus,
but not certain which is the best way to
prevent its being held. Where last
week all their claims were for caucus,
now they deprecate its meeting. which
is taken to be very healthful indica-
ton of waning strength.
-
Mr.. Donnelly has said and maintained
that he would enter the caucus, and de-
spite the conferences held last night by
his forces, there. was no report that he
had withdrawn from this position. The
Sabin men are enthusiastic for a caucus
and make no bones of their willingness
to abide by the decision made by it.
The independent faction (Small in num-
bers) will not enter, although maintain
ing an almost neutral position between
the two chief candidates.
~x*
The situation, then. is toss up as to
what is going to be done tonight. The
call for caucus does not constitute
meeting of the caucus, and there is no
human agency which can force men to
go to the state capitol tonight. There
are 1874 Republican members of the
legislature. including the alliance men.
If they all attend (Which it is known
will not be the case) the senatorial ques-
ton will be settled without much
trouble. If only LOO attend
and there were bets made last
night that that would be the case,
the outcome is doubtful. Senator Sabin
has the lead by long odds, a fact con-
ceded by the best judges of the situa-
tion. It is conceded as well at the Mer-
chants by those best posted that, caucus
or no caucus, Gen. Washburn is beaten
as far as his personal candidacy is con-
cerned. The highest bona tide claim
made for him yesterday was forty-three
votes, and that with the reservation
that it might be only forty. No dark
horse has been trOtted out yet, and in
the opinion of many none can be now.
Assuming this to be the case, it is then
reasonable to suppose that, it caucus
is held. Senator Sabin will be nomi-
mated. and that in any event he will
Gen. Washburn's supporters talk and
look desperately, but the Sabin forces
profess calm disregard of their machi-
nations and assert positively that moth
ing they can do can change the final re-
suit.
The Democratic conference last even
ing at room 8, Merchants hotel, like the
Scandinavian members conference,
was not productive of any great results.
Both were in relation to the senatorial
question, and as to what caucus action
each should take. There is strong
outside sentiment, raised by such Dem
ocrats as John F. Meagher, o. M. Hall,
John C. Wise and l. E. Bowen, that the
Democratic members should hold
strict party caucus, nominate party
candidate, and vote for him first and
last. Unfortunately few of the Demo
cratic members appear to enter tain this
idea. and seem to think that the best
policy is to join in the war dance of the
enemy. The effort to have Senator
Durant made the nominee has not died
out. and may reach focus to-day.
~
The caucus is to decide for itself how
the voting shall be if vote is reached.
Capt. Castle is pushing his viva voce
scheme, but it meets with small favor.
Eugene Hay approached j. G. Flynn
and asked him what he thought of an
open ballot, to which Mr.. Flynn re-
piled:
'sLet the caucus decide"
There never has been an open ballot
caucus in this state, and the lack of
precedent for it operates strongly with