St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-03-28
SENATORS ARE SHY.
Both Davis and Washburn
Look Askance at Knute
Nelson.
Each Fears in Him a Proba-
BILE Rival to Be
Dreaded.
The "Little Norwegian" Is
Not Blind to This
Situation.
II He Runs He Must Have
Very Strong Assur-
anceS.

anceS.
1t is Nelson against the senatorial
combine, the big two of Minnesota,
Senators Davis and Washburn. Both
of these gentlemen fear the 'little Nor
wegian;" one, Senator Davis, being
afraid that the election of Nelson as
governor by good, round majority and
the redemption of the legislature Will
result in the party sending the old
Fifth district man to the United States
senate. Senator Washburn'S successor
will have to be elected by the legisla-
ture of 1895, and he fears that two years
of Nelson as governor would be diSas-
trous to his chances for reelection.
Ever since the local leaders began to
declare for Nelson's nomination the
two senators have been uneasy, and
have BEEN figuring, not on the question
of party success, but rather on how can
we prevent the re-entry of Knute Mel
son into Minnesota politics. The result
of their efforts to head off Nelson has
been seen in the DoOmS that have been
started for various other Republicans,
Some of these are Davis candidates and
some can we'll be labeled Washburn.
The Minneapolis senator Is much
shrewder politician than his brother
senator, which fact has Deen apparent
to all the politicians during the past
three years. Mr.. Washburn's men have
invariably been given the offices, while
the ST. Paul senator's friends had
to content themselves with copies OF his
speeches On the pension bill and "HoW
to Improve Hay Lake Channel" Of
course, the boys as a rule don't know
where Hay Lake channel is and they
do not care whether it is improved or
not. They wanted share of the official
plums, and having found that their sem
atOr has done nothing for them they are
not as enthusiastic for his reelection as
they might be. AS a result of all this
Senator Washburn is, today in more
favor with the politicians than Senator
Davis. The latter realizes this, and on
this account cordially joins with the
Minneapolis man in opposing the Alex
andria statesman. The candidates men
toned and in the field against MIR. Mel
son are:
John Lind-Washburn.
A. R. McGill-Davis.
G. S. Ives-Davis.
Joel P Observation-Disclosures
MIR. Nelson has in more ways than
one been made aware of the opposition
of the senators and has evidently de-
cided to force them to an open declara-
ton on the subject. This is shown in
his latest interview published in the
Republican organs last week. 1t is full
of meaning, and follows:
LAS against any Republican candidate
actively in the field | am not candidate
believe the Republican nominee this year
should practically have the equivalent OF q
unanimous nomination-should be noml-
mated and supported as Mckinley was in
Ohio last year. Under such conditions, II
the state of my health does not prove an en-
barge, which it probably may, would &C
cept the nomination and make the canvass.
l realize quite well that personally ana IN
trinsically have no claims to such nomina-
ton and such support, but the exigency OF
the situation makes this due to the candidate.
whoever he may be, this year. 1t appears 10
me, however, that in my case these condl-
tons do not exist. am ADVISED t1at Dotu
Senators Davis and Washburn regard me as a
possible rival for the senatorship, and on
this ground if on no other considerations.
they are averse if not positively hostile TO
my nomination and election. And II such IS
the case-and am conscious of nothing but
nv birth and my brains that can have given
the occasion-I am not tit subject Tor
candidate, for while contending with the Al
lance and Democracy l would be handl-
capped with hostility or lukewarmness III
high quarters within our own ranks.
make this statement not by way of complaint
against any one-for | have no complaint to
make-but as a candid, though, perhaps, not
a polite. diagnosis of the situation in respect
to nv possible candidacy as it strikes me"
81 am advised that both Senators Da-
Wis and Washburn regard me as pos
Sible rival for the senatorshlp, and on
this ground, if on no other considera-
tions. they are averse if not positively
hostile to my nomination and election"
are bold words for man aspiring for
the Republican gubernatorial nomina-
ton to use. Many interpretations have
been placed on them, some inclining to
the opinion that Mr.. Nelson, who is OF
a very Jealous disposition, wishes mere
ly to place himself in position where he
will be able to fight both senator's, even
although he is defeated tor the nomina-
ton for governor.
"Knute Nelson is true to his record all
the way through" remarked Repub-
lican leader. HE demands that the
party leaders shall give him what he
never gave to other Republican candi-
dates. This is unanimous and hearty
support. What did he do for McGill In
1856? What for Merriam in 1888? /
think Mr.. Nelson is a very jealous man.
and in his latest utterance he gives full
rein to that element in his composition.
do not think he will scare the senators
in that way"
The John Lind boom Is generally
credited to Senator Washburn, and is a
sbrewd move in many ways. There is
at the present time a great deal of bad
feeling between the Norwegian and
Swedish nationalities which, up to two
years ago, furnished so large percent
very evenly balanced in the state, al
though the Republicans have received
larger percentage Of the Swedish vote
than the Norwegian. Senator Wash
burns design in bringing forward Mr..
Lind, who was born in Sweden, is not
to nominate him. but to create condi-
tion of affairs which will make it mad
visabIe to nominate Mr.. Nelson. Ip this
event Lieut.. Gov. Ives or ex-Gov. McGilI
would be satisfactory to Senator Wash
burn. and, of course. to Mr.. Davis.
The booming that is being done for
ex-Gov. McGill by two papers, although
long continued, has failed to create any
enthusiasm for the eX-insurance COM
missioner. He is at the present time
decidedly the weakest man mentioned,
and his nomination can only be secured
through the influence of the leaders.
who see in him candidate who will
not autagonize anybody. As one OF the
leaders recently remarked:
SIT takes more than two newspapers
of uncertain standing politically to make
a candidate for governor"
While the two senators find It mu-
tually advantageous to pull together in
opposition to the nomination of Mr..
Nelson, it is impossible for this alliance.
to continue very long. All tina party