St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-05-04
The Senator to Have a Hard
Time in His Senatorial
Canvass.
Powerful Interests in Henne-
pin County to Be Against
Him,
Mr.. Lowry and the Business
Organizations Against the
Mill Man.
The Position Of Senator Davis,
Ex-senator Sabin and EX-
Gov. Merriam.

WASHINGTON. May3.-Senator Wash
burn, of Minnesota, the author and
father of the famous anti-Option bill
which passed both houses of the recent
congress after a stubborn, interesting
and prolonged contest, only to die on
the way to conference committee, is
preparing TO make the fight of his life
for reelection TO the senate. His term
does not expire until March 4, 1895, but
even now the issue between WgShburn
and the anti-W aShburn men has been
made up. and the fight will begin at
once. 1t is to be battle royal between
the farmers and the boards Of trade.
and therefore Of more than ordinary IN
terest. Senator Washburn intends
championing the anti-option bill again
next winter, and will go before the peo-
pie of his state fresh from the second
Legislative contest over that measure.
The senator's political opponents
here sent word to Washington that
his defeat was certain, because Henne-
pin, his home county, has been turned
against him, and without that support
he, of course. cannot win. There is no
doubt, however, that the senator Will
make the fight of his life, and that he
will have influential backing. 1t is un-
derStoOd that the milling syndicate, OF
which MesSrS. WaShburn and Pill5bury
are the American representatives, will
furnish all the means necessary to con-
duct the senator's canvass. Charles A.
PillSbury, the big miller. who in reality
fathered the anti-optiOn bill. is hard
hitter and bold, ShreWd manipulation
He is a man of great wealth. and when
it comes to making an effort for pOllt-
ical or personal friend he never spares
A.
sources still in the WaShburn- family,
although its fortunes have been steadily
declining for the past ten years.
British Interests Enlisted.
The British millers, who recently con-
soiidated the Touring interests at Min
neapolis, are said to be DESTROYS of
breaking up the American boards of
trade in order that they may control the
primary wheat markets. Their plan for
the destruction of the chambers of COM
merce is based Oh their ability to pass
the anti-opton bill. The syndicate will
probably do whatever Mr.. PillSbury
advises in the matter, and he has al
ready made UP his mind that Mr.. Wash
burn must be sent back to the senate if
such a thing is within the range of
possibilities. Some inside facts regard
ing the opposing elements are here
given to the public for the first time.
1t is related that Thomas Lowry.
the street railway magnate and
capitalist. has gone back Oh WaShburn,
and that his influence will be cast Tor a
new candidate. Mr.. Lowry owns the
Minneapolis Tribune. the morning Re-
publican newspaper of that city, and
Northwestern people who are at present
in the capital say that, with Mr.. Lowry
and the business organizations OF the
place against Washburn, there is no
likelihood of his return to the senate.
If Mr.. Washburn could 90 into the legiS-
lature with the backing of his home
delegation, his chances, it is thought,
would be fair, but the first move that
his enemies have made in preparing for
his defeat was to obtain the pledge of
nearly all the influential politicians of
HeDnepin county that they Would not
aid him for reelection.
A Thorough Canvass.
This canvass against Washburn has
been so thorough during the past few
weeks that his opponents confidently
announce that he will be defeated easily.
He will not have the support, they say.
of either of the principal st. Paul fac
tions. Senator Davis will be compelled
TO take neutral position in the contest,
and ii eX-Gov. Merriam takes any stand
whatever it will be in opposition to
Washburn. 1t is confidently predicted
that the entire business interests of the
state Will be organized in opposition to
Mr.. Washburn, with the exception of
the firms with which he is directly con-
nected. 1t is admitted that if the interior
of the state, which means the farmer eIe-
ment, desired Washburn's reelection
he would be able to bid defiance to the
business classes and professional poll
ticians: but some of his strongest and
most implacable enemies are the farm
erS and rural statesmen. Ex-senator
Sabln, who still has large following in
the interior of the state, is bitterly hos
tile to WashburD, and will take the field
actively against him when the proper
times comes. 1t is claimed that Mr..
Washburn has little or no strength
among the farmers outside the Third
and Fourth congressional districts. Ig-
natius Donnelly is naturally against
him, and will be candidate himself in
case the populists hold the balance of
power. as they did i'll the legislature two
years ago.