St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-14
Representative Koerner Re-
fuses an Offer Of Two
Thousand Dollars,
And Other Members Report
Offers Varying in the
Amount.
But the Other Side Makes
Charges No Less Sem
Sational.
Legislation Declared to Await
Those Who Remain True
to Davis.

Contests for seats in the United States
senate have neraly alWayS,in Minnesota,
been productive of comment and seam
dial, but the one now under way bids
fair to leave worse taste in the mouths
of the people of the state than any of
its predecessors. Within the ranks of
the party having the majority in the
legislature a great war is being waged
that yesterday burst forth in manner
that Threatens interesting and exciting
happenings during the next few days.
Charges of bOodiing in various ways
have been made on both sides, and the
friends of Senator Davis threaten to
appeal to the strong arm of the law in
case any more of their men are APP
preached or tempered with.
The editorial in yesterdays issue of
the morning Republican organ of this
city charging that the opponents of Sem
ator Davis were endeaYOring to Ouymem-
bers enough from Senator Davis to effect
his defeat and threatening them with
Indictment created no end of comment,
and no small amount of excitement.
at0r charged that the article in question
came directly from his headquarters,
where it had been prepared under the
special directions of the senator ard his
managers. One prominent senator in
speaking of its objects and probable eff
feet said:
Intended to Brighten.
ut Is merely bluff, and was de-
81 To Ot
who are opposed to Senator Davis. and
it has had exactly the contrary effect.
1t has made every man at all off on
Davis mad and disguised many of
Davis friends. When the Davis man
ayers talk about indictments, it might
be we'll for them to look carefully after
some of their workers"
On one hand the managers of Senator
Davis claim to have positive proof
against three men. one an ex-senator
ami two who were formerly members Of
the lower house, to the effect that they
have offered members sums varying
from $500 to $500 to either absent
themselves from the joint assembly next
Wednesday, or else at that time
to attend and vote against Senator
Davis. These cases, it was declared,
would be presented to the Ramsey coun-
=
others, the particulars of which have
not been made public. This ex-senator
was neatly trapped by member of the
house, who was called on at his room
and sounded on the matter. Nothing
was dOne.a later meeting being arranged
for. The Davis mall at once reported
these facts at the Headquarters of his
chief, where he was urged to go before
the grand jury on the matter.
II do not want to do that" said this
member, who comes from the north, by
the way, because | do not want my
name coupled with any bribery scandals,
and | will not do SO unless it is abSo-
lutely necessary"
Trapping a Lobbyist.
To save this gentleman the necessity
of going before the grand jury another
man was placed in tire way OF the booG-
ling ex-senator, and it is understood
that he has secured the necessary evil
dence. In this connection the Litch-
field Independent publishes the follow
my regarding Representative Koerner,
of Meeker county:
REPRESENTATIVE a. L. Koerner states
that he was offered $1,000 cash bride
to vote for a certain candidate for
United States senator other than &. K.
even il he was not personally III favor
of Davis he claims that he is practically
pledged TO him by the action of the
county, district anu state conventions,
which declared strongly for Davis. Mr..
Koerner spurned the attempted bribery
and told the party to go to h-ades and
take MS money with him.
Offices Are Promised,
H.
tempted bribery the Davis managers
give it out that promises OF state and
federal patronage are being offered as
inducements to members to desert the
senator, and by either remaining away
next Wednesday or voting against him
to aid in his defeat. These charges of
necessity involve the connection of
great many men in the work, but while
there is no trouble in securing the
names of the lobbyists and workers the
master hands behind the scenes are
carefully concealed. There is no can
didate other than Davis in sight, and
when the members are approached they
are not pledged on that point. One of
the Davis leaders yesterday was asked
in regard to the real leaders.
SIS Lieut.. Gov. Clough in the move
ment ?" was asked.
''tJOV. uC uCCidIoQ. ID IlUl a
Davis man. and makes no secret of the
fact that he believes that some better
man can be found in the Republican
party of Minnesota. But he has declared
that he is doing no work against Mr..
Davis. and this is believed by the sena-
tors friends"
''How about Gov. Nelson; is he a
candidate ?"
s'Ihe friends of Senator Davis have
the utmost confidence in the loyalty of
Gov. Nelson," was the reply. I'VE be-
lieye he is giving Mr.. Davis the most
loval support, and that ne is in nowise
mixed up in this conspiracy. But do
not ask me any more questions. do
not care to say just whom We believe to
be behind this whole movement, al
though it will become necessary to do
so soon unless things change very ma
terially,"
The Apparent Workers.
There IS a host of ex-members and
well known lobbyists from all parts of
the state in the city at this time, and
many of them have been on hand since
the opening of the session. II there