St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-07-13
AN ORIGINAL PACKAGE
Chances Are That It's Contents
May Be Disturbed Before
Delivery.
The Harmony Of Last Tues
days Republican Conven-
ton Not Perennial.
The Anti-Merriam Feeling Is
Not So Fierce and War
like.
The Talk Of the Several Fac
tons Concerning the I'm
happy Situation.

The man who supposes that every
thing is harmony in Hennepin county
politics from Republican standpoint
does not know much of the situation.
From the smooth, business-like way
Loren Fletcher handled the gavel at
Normanna hall during the county con-
vention one would naturally infer that
Hennepin county Republicans were
unit, so far as the delegation selected to
the state convention was concerned.
But that is not so. 1t was expected be-
fore the convention was called that there
would be an interesting time when that
body got together, but the wise heads
had a talk before business began,
and it was decided to show as
little feeling against Merriam as
possible. When the convention had
named its delegates to the state conven-
ton. and these all-important individuals
held their first meeting, the first real
feeling on the Merriam issue sprung up.
There were any number of opinions adj
vanced as to the effect the convention
was liable to have throughout the state.
Some OF the delegates believed that if
they should come out and declare them
selves against Merriam and in favor of
any of the candidates already men
toned, that such action on their part
would unquestionably have similar
effect on all the other counties in the
state. with the exception of Ramsey
county. So great and important did
these delegates consider themselves
that they believed because their county
had the largest representation in the
state that it only remained for Henne-
pin Republicans to say what way they
would go, and the balance of the state
would follow. But there have been
several private talks INDUCED in since
then, and the high opinion they enter
tanned OF themselves has disappeared in
a remarkable degree.
1t has been an object Of much COM
ment in political circles during the past
week why the Republican delegates
held so many meetings since their cleo
ton. No one seemed to know what they
intended to do OF hope to accomplish by
these after shutdown meetings, partic-
ularly as the convention had instructed
them to go to st. Paul unpledged. To
all appearance there was nothing for the
delegation to do but 60 to the state con-
vention and support the choice of that
body for governor. provided that indi-
vidual were not Gov. Merriam. Since
then some of the delegates have been
doing a little thinking for themselves.
Several of them have made visits to st.
Paul during the week, Ostensibly to visit
the teachers association convention,
but really to consult with Gov. Mer-
riam's lieutenants on what is best to be
done. This. it is said, was the cause of
Bob Evans advice few days ago to
| consider the question of the Republi-
can party and not that of defeating any
| particular candidate. Some of them, like
Evans, believe that Hennepin county
cannot gain anything by making an open
fight on Merriam, and that they are liza
BILE to hear from such fight for many
years to come. During these days of
doubt and debate Merriam has not been
! with lots of the current coin of the
realm, have been busy, and they have
so far succeeded in disrupting the dele
CATION that unless something definite is
soon decided on there will be an out
break of no small proportions. Some
of the delegates, and quite number of
them, too, are now in favor of giving
Merriam the nomination.; and it is to
bring these fellows into line that SO
many meetings are being held.
One of the maddest men on that dele
cation is Delegate Knappen, of the
Eighth ward. He is an uncompromis-
ing anti-Merriam man. Knappen was
anxious to be a delegate before the con-
vention was held because he wanted to
have little satisfaction for Minneapo-
lis sake. But when some of those Oh
whom he relied to work against Mer-
riam approached him few days ago OIL
the street and said they believed that il
would result in the party's over
were defeated in the convention
Knappen was mad, to put il
mildly. He read the riot act to his
friends and advised them to withdraw
from the delegation If they could be sc
easily influenced by Merriam or his
friends. "Hennepln county, sale
Knappen, sdoes not want anything or
the state ticket at all, and will therefore
not ask for anything. If the people o.
Minnesota, who have been crying ever!
year about the cities getting all thu
plums, want anything, now is their time
to select their candidate for governor
and we must stand by him. If tn,
country wants Merriam, let him be nom
mated. and elected, if you will; but W,
must abide by the majority"
The delegation is between two yer.
hot fires just now-the Merriam infiu
ences on the one side, and HennepiI
county voters, headed by ex-Gov. Nc
Gill, Loren Fletcher and r. B. Lang
don. on the other. McGill did not llk
the idea of the Hennepin delegation de
Gliding not to put any Hennepin man Ii
the field for governor, as he had larg
idea of getting the nomination in cas-
Merriam failed to get the required mum
Der of votes to nominate. He is nov
out of the race, and is doing al
he can to solidify the delegation
against Merriam. He sees that ther
are quite a number of Merriam
admirers in the delegation, and he
using all his persuasive powers to brin
them into line. In fact, he fears nov
that unless the delegation announce
its programme very soon, that major
ity of them will be converted to Mel
Ram before the convention meets. W
! II. Eustis is another member Of the de
egation that is sleeping very little thes
nights. He sees possibility OF Mel
riam getting the delegation after al
and is doing some heavy talking; but
outwardly confident of getting the stra
ones into the fold.
v
The result of this little fight seems t
J have resulted, for the present, at leas
! In a big victory for William Henr
Eustis. Being candidate for the ser
ate, and likely to have a no less formlf
able opponent than r, B. Langdon, tn
latter being so pleased at Eustis' dete
+ mined opposition to Merriam, has, 1t
j said, decided not to enter the feel