St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-14
Briggs Tells McEwen Funny Story.

were not some work for them to do they
would not remain. They are not
watching matters of legislation because
the session is too young for there to be
any necessity CT this kind of work, even
if the makeup of the committees was
such as to allow any measures calling
for vigorous opposition to get out and
before the house. That these gentlemen
are here looking after tine senatorial
contest there is no doubt. Pointing to
them Yesterday. one of the Davis lead
ers said in the Merchants lobby:
Look at that crowd and then tell me
whether there is any foundation for
charges of corruption attempted and
accomplished"
but it was by no means made up en-
tirely of the antl-Davis workers, al
though there is 20 doubt that the OPP
position is largely in the majority as far
as the number of lobbyists is concerned.
The work of the Davis men is largely
defensive, and for this reason q large
number Of the workers for the senator
are detectives who are carefully keeping
track of members who are suspected of
being Just a trifle shaky in their al
legiance or else of being susceptible to
the magic influence of ready cash. Some
of these
HaVVkshavvs Are Clumsy
at the business and have damaged rather
than helped Senator Davis by their
awkward breaks Some of the most
loyal of the senator's followers have
found themselves logged, and, while
saying but little, have not concealed the
fact that they do not like that style Of
business.
And now for the other side, because
there is another side, although it has
taken several of the Republican organs
a long time to find it out. This side
comes to the front with charges OF at
tempted crooked work. One of the
senators who remained out of the Sena-
torial caucus states that he was called
upon by a prominent federal official and
asked to name his terms. When he re-
fused he was threatened and told that
his political future depended upon his
going into the caucus and voting Tor
Senator Davis.
II was told" said this senator, ''that
| would be branded as bOodler In the
papers of these cities and the state, and
that my county would be too warm to
hold me. Such language following an
attempt to influence me for a consIdera-
ton made me more determined than
ever in my opposition to senator
DAVIS"
Perhaps the most serious charge made
against the senator's friends is that they
have held out to members the promise
to give them certain legislation If they
stand by Senator Davis. Starting out
with the declaration that they would
Control the Legislation
of the session the members have been
assured. it is said, that they will be
given what they want if they stand firm.
There are many other charges of the
same nature, and, if the grand jury is
appealed to, the opponents OF Senator
Davis promise to be OH hand. The con-
test has reached that stage where it
seems likely that some one will be hurt
before the successor of Senator Davis
receives his commission.
The Republican organs have given up
their attempts to make it appear that
the opposition to Senator Davis springs
wholly from Democratic sources. for,
while no one acquainted with the facts
will deny that there are Democrats i'll
the fight. it is really war of factions
in the Republican party of the state.
This war was commenced more
than two years ago, ana would
have been fought more vigorously
during the last campaign had it not
been for the belief entertained by many
that the legislature would certainly be
anti-Republican. The action of the
Democratic caucus in placing the gallant
and able LAWYER in the field and pledg-
ing to him the solid support of the Dem
ocrats in both houses Knocked the props
from under the theory that the Demo
Gratis were leading and making the anti
Davis campaign.
1t is very vigorous and warm con-
test, and if the scene of battle is
changed from the corridors of the state
capitol and the Hobbies of the hotels to
the frigid atmosphere of the Ramsey
county district court. some very enter
tanning disclosures may be expected.