St. Paul daily globe., 1889-11-02
PREMATURE GOSSIP
Of the Political Battle to Be
Fought Next Cam
paign.
The Alleged Deal Between
Gov. Merriam and Lieut..
Gov. Rice.
An Old Globe Story Corrobo-
rated From Over in Rock
County.
Capt. SnideP Stands by SEN
ator Davis and Declares
Himself.

yOhl statesman on record. AS uSuaI
thing, nothing ismore difficult than to
put the genial Mr.. Rice on record In
anything political, as he has a
winning habit of winding up
some most interesting revelation
with the remark: "But this is cOnfiden-
tial, you know" But now he has gone
on record as Merriam man--aS a sup
porter of Mr.. Merriam for second term.
This has led to what is claimed to be a
genuine revelation of deep. dark and
diabolical conspiracy which a prom
inent politician-name Of course not
given-thuS deliberately unfOlded at the
Merchants hOtel-nOthing being genu-
inc that does not emanate from the Mer-
chants:
Merriam to be renOminated in 1890
and Rice to succeed him two years later.
The deal goes farther, / understand,
and pledges Rice to support Merriam
for senator, as against T.. K. Davis. MeF-
riam, if he can be reelected. will make
his appointments for the next two years.
as he already has so far, with view of
advancing his senatorial aspirations,
and then if A. E. Rice can succeed him
he (Ricel will have the making of the
appointments at the time Senator Davis
term expires, and will make them in
the Merriam interest. That is the pro-
gramme as given out to the initiated. "
-
II this be true. and nothing is more
doubtful, Gov. Rice had better muzzle
his home organ, which is not In accord
with this programme. The Wilmar Ar
gus is recognized as the official organ of
the genial statesman from Eagle Lake,
and the Argus is booming him in season
and out of season for governor, thus
clearly disregarding the alleged COM
pact with Merriam. But friend Of
both men said of IT.:
Il know what the Argus says for
Rice, but that cuts ITO figure. / believe
the story of the deal, and for
these reasons: 1t Merriam as wants
a denomination and is willing
to go in and buy it, he can have it. No
man in the state can beat hiTl, unless he
is willing to pay out an equal sum of
money. Can you name a man who is
willing? Of course you can't. Well,
Rice wants to be governor, worst kind,
and knows he has no show against Mer-
riam's money; so is doing the next best
thing-standing in with him. The
Argus may Doom Rice and get
him a few delegates. but those
delegates will be for Merriam
ultimately. The combination that can
nominate Merriam can easily enough
secure the lieutenant governor, which
will make Rice solid. Then for the
future. OF course Merriam wants to
be senator, and he will get out of Rice's
way after his second term, and with the
judicious results-politieally l NEAL
of Merriam's two terms and Rice's
power in the chair, William will buck
Cush Davis In 1892. All very simple,
isn't it?"
Three months ago the GLOBE made
the statement that an effort was on foot
to secure the election In 1892 of dele
gates from Minnesota who would be OPP
posed to the denomination of Harrison.
Several Republican statesmen affected
To make light of this story and pro-
nouneed it as absurd and ridiculous. yet
when the Rock County News now APP
pears with the same story, 1t Is accepted
as a gospel utterance. The GLOBE then
stated that the movement was the result
of dissatisfaction with the manner of
dispensing the patronage, which
the News confirms. The fact of the
matter is that the squabble among the
members of the congressional delega-
ton ana the senators has enabled Sec
retary Window and Tim Byrnes to con-
troll the miDOr-and, therefore, widely
scattered-patronage which counts, and
the disgruntled 0ffiee-seekers and their
friends are saddling their wrath upon
the administration. The Rock county
paper says meeting of the Minnesota
members of congress ana the senators
l,a11 f,i-A ,Er Sah oil
present except Congressman Hall, The
idea was to arrange a plan for recon-
mending candidates fer federal offices, a
majority of the congressman and sena-
ators to rule. The article continues:
-
''The four congressman and Senator
WaShburn expressed themselves very
favorably to it, and very willing toagree
to IT. Senator Davis, however, said
that he would never consent to IL, and
left the room, nor could he be per-
suaded TO attend another meeting.
Probably the senator was too strongly
committed to HalvOr Steenerson for at
tornev. or w. G. Ward. of Waseca. for
marshal, or some one else whom he had
reason to believe would lose by the
deal. Had our representatives in
congress been able to agree on
recommendations, those who are posted
say that there is no doubt that Mime
sofa could have had couple of foreign
ministers, eight or ten cOnSulS, and
number of other important positions
under the administration. AS it is. they
get SOUP" very thin at that. No state
stood better in President HarrisOn's
estimation when he was elected. and he
would have been willing to show his ap-
probation, but for the unfortunate
disagreement between the senator's. 1t
is too late now, however, and already
influences are at work to take the state
away from him in 1892"
-
Most of this story is corroborative Of
what the GLOBE has published. Capt.
Snider, the Minneapolis congressman,
confirms the story of the meeting. ut
does Senator Davis an Injustice" he
said. ''but with that exception the facts
are about as stated. The representa-
tives had no desire to interfere in the
state appointments; they conceded those
to the senators, but in appointments
that might come to the state from out
side they felt that they should have
an equal voice, and the plan mentioned
was thought by them to be fair. 1t
was opposed by both Senators Wash
burn and Davis, SO that the RESPONSE
bility for the disagreement does not lie
with Senator Davis any more than with
Senator WashburH."
"Do you think the failure of the Min
nesota delegation TO agree in appoint
ments has lost any in the state?" -
Undoubtedly: think the result is
about as stated in the article. The feel
ing among the representatives is en-
tirely harmonious, and do not think
there is any personal feeling between
the senators. They each have their
choice for state appointments"
81
: Speaking of Capt. Snider, can any one
tell where the story of his gubernato-
rial aspirations originated? He denies,
in set terms. that he is candidate. and
declares his friendship for Merriam in
very positive language; but the state
ment going the rounds in print. that he
supported Merriam and Merriam sup
ported him, In their respective fights. Is
very misleading. After their nemina-
tons, to he sure they did, but before
that, never, In the case Of Snider it