St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-01-20
Hovers Over the Republican
or Democratic Caucus
Camps.
Five Democrats Cause a Rue
ton in Their Party's
Conelave.
Gov. Merriam Worried Over
Dairy and Railroad Com
mission Positions.
Albert Scheffer Gives His
Opinion on the Bribery
Charges.

representative VI ludb pdIGyt Will
under no circumstances vote to send
any Republican to the United States
senate" So said Democratic men,
Der of the legislature yesterday. 1t is
unquestionably true that among them
selves the Democratic minority of the
legislature has had fully as unhappy
time about their caucus as the Repub-
licans had, and that it has led to a
division Of that minority with the prob
able result of there being two Demo-
cratic nominees for United States SEN
ator next Tuesday.
<*
Shortly after the legislature convened
a caucus of the Democratic members OF
the house and senate was held for the
purpose of nominating officers for the
two branches. On motion being made
to this effect, majority of the members
present declared that they were not in
favor of maintaining party lines. Their
action led to no nominations being
made. When the caucus for United
States senator was first called major
ity of the Democrats refused to have a
party nominee, and, while not stating
their reasons for this &C ION, lntlmated
that before the senatorial fight was
over the Republicans might need
some assistance. Five Democrats,
Representative Ruell, Heidemann and
one other got UP and left this caucus
adjourning to Senator Pope'S room,
where the decision was reached that
they would lend no countenance to any
movement looking to a combination
with the Republicans, and that they
would present the name OF Eugene
Wilson as their choice for United States
senator. They stated in leaving the
caucus that they did not do so as bolt
ers, but because they could not support
any caucus which did not follow strict
party lines.
Fridays Democratic caucus amounted
to nothing, although it was expected
that Senator Durant would be nomi-
mated by the Democrats who had not
left the caucus. Monday nights caucus,
pending bribery charges end in smoke.
Senator PopeiS decided in the opinion
that the Democrats have no business
meddling in Republican politics. He
has wanted all of the time that the
Democrats should act on party lines and
together.
Senator BroWn-A majority of the
Democrats will not do it. but we should
have a Democratic nominee for senator,
and every Democrat vote for him, no
matter what becomes of Washburn or
Sabin.
Representative Heindemann-I could
not go home and face my constituents
if l lent myself to any Republican COM
blnation, or did not vote for a Demo
crat first and last.
So the matter stands. The five Dem
ocratS who are for the Democracy first
and last propose to stick to the party,
no matter what happens. The others
remain mum, and are waiting for Mon
day.
The house took no cognizance of the
bribery charges yesterday, and major
ity of the members made light of them.
The Sabin men diSdainod all knOWl
edge of how the matter was moving
outside, and to all purposes appeared
happy and cOntented. TO prevent Gen.
WaShburns election a combination of
seventy-Seven Republicans, or fifty
eight Republicans and nineteen Demo
Gratis, is necessary. and unless specific
bribery charges are soon forthcoming
no one appears to think that this is
possible.
Gov. Merriam is having the crown of
state thumped down upon his throbbing
temples in very vigorous manner by
applicants for Office. The dairy and
railroad commission are giving him
great concern. He said only recently to
Freeman P. Lane in regard to Ives, Gift
ford and Howard. the three candidates
for dairy commissioner:
II shall have to select some man out
side of them"
''Don't you do it. governor" replied
Lane; ''appoint one of those three and
let the others kick"
To Gen. j. N. Cross he said:
Il cannot reappoint Commissioner
Ives"
But yesterday Commissioner Ives was
closeted with him, and on coming away.
said:
"The governor made no statement
that he intended to remove me. [ am
going home with the hope of being re-
tanned"
81. C. Howard, who is well recon-
mended for the Office. considers his
chances good, but Frank Clifford is said
to be out of the race, or at least that the
governor will not appoint him.
Within the last seven days Gov. Mer-
RAM has changed his mind twice in re-
gard to Railroad Commissioner Gibbs.
Having made up his mind to retain
Gibbs because he could not find more
suitable Southern Minnesota man, he
discovered that Henry r. Wells, of Pres
ton, would accept the position if ten
dered him. Ii he appointed Wells (who
move Gibbs, but Becker. This OH
very good authority was partially
decided upon when the friends
of Gibbs rallied, brought strong lnfu-
ence to bear and presto, Wells was
dropped and Gibbs sent home on Friday
night with the feeling as he expressed
it that Oh Tuesday he would be reap
pointed. Barto's chances of getting on
the commission are not known yet.
For adiutant general. A. E. Chaptler,
the most popular militia man of st.
Paul, is a candidate. He is backed by
the Minnesota National Guards of st.
Paul, and many G. A. r. men. His APP
pointment would give great satisfaction
in st. Paul.
The governors appointments are ex-
pected to be announced OH Tuesday
next.
The committee appointed to investi-
gate the charges of bribery in the sena-
torial caucus will meet Monday. Sena-
tor Ward stated last night that if posi-
BILE he would get the members together
in the morning. Senator Edwards re-
mains IN the city, but Senator Pope left
last night for his home at Mankato.
~
Senator Albert Scheffer remarks
about the bribery charges:
1.-The trouble is, people imagine when
men of means are candidates for posi-
ton, that under all circumstances it
goes to the highest bidder for cash.
bum. told him of the rumors afloat,
and placed the question right straight
to him: 'Will YOU use your money to