St. Paul daily globe., 1894-10-26
DIDN'.s SAY A WORD.

George Thompson Enjoys an In
teryiew Between Gov. Merriam
and the Globe.
EX-Gov. Merriam and George Thomp-
son, of the Dispatch, were on an Inter
urban car returning from Minneapolis
yesterday. A GLOBE man placed him.
Self in periheliOn with the distinguished
gentlemen, neither of whom carried a
street.car pass book, and after modestly
plucking an exposed cigar from the
vest pocket of his eX-eXcellency asked
what was the political situation in the
village up the creek. Mr.. Thompson,
being that kind of doctor himself, de-
clined to take the medicine of an inter-
view. and merry twinkle in his eye
disclosed the fact that he was secretly
enjoying the situation as Gov. Merriam
fell into the trap and proceeded to give
himself away.
"What are your figures OH the three
candidates for governor" asked the re-
porter.
''For publication, or just for the fun
of the thing?'
o''Well. give 'em to US straight first,
publication afterwards"
"Weil. Becker will get 10000, Owen
$4,000, and Nelson 100000"
At this point Mr.. Thompson cast a
sweeping glance upward, as if in search
of the galleries to which the jolly ex-
governor was evidently talking. but he
didn't say word.
Isn't that making rather large al
lowance for Owen?' asked the reporter.
"Well. what do you think?" was the
quick response.
Summoning all his immense reserve
of conscientious scruples. the scribe ad.
mitted that he mad been lied to so per-
sistently within the past ten days that
he couldn't guess within 1000 of the
total vote. The discussion then shifted
upon the question of the Aennepin
county vote.
"What vote will Nelson get in Henne-
pin cuuntv"' was asked. the question
being aimed at both. Mr.. Thompson
gazed ret1ectlvely at the gas house as
the car flew by, winked slowly and i'm
pressiyely, and-didn't say word.
He'll get the Republican yote-all
except few," said the governor, guard
edly.
How many votes will Owen get in
Hennepinr'
"Oh, some'ers along about five or ten
or fifteen thousand"
::'Will they come from the Democrats
or Republicans%
"Oh, from the Democrats, mostly"
slow many will Becker get in Hen
nepin?"
Probably 5000"
"And Nelson?''
'"Oh, Nelson will get e era, say:
what you doing with that pencil? Le'
me see those figures"
The figures disclosed. according to
the governors estima ate, that there were
some 25, 900 Democrats In Minneapolis,
$1,000 OF whom would vote for Becker
and the rest for Owen. According to
this, and allowing the 1900 votes con-
ceded to Owen from the Populists alone,
| there were only about 6.GOO left for
| Nelson, as the total vote Is estimated at
| 10000.
"That's all wrong; those figures
won't hold out at all; Nelson will get
more votes in Hennepin county than
| Owen and Becker combined; Charley
Pillsbury told me so." exclaimed the
| governor, with some warmth.
Mr.. Thompson winked so hard that 1t
| rung up three extra fares on Mr.. Low
| ry's timepiece, but he didn't say word.
"Glad to hear OF the increase in the vot-
ing population of Minneapolis" replied
| the reporter. as ne calmly proceeded to
foot up: "Owen. $4,000; Becker, 5000;
Nelson. $4,000; total, $4,000. Didn't
know Minneapolis had grown so fast
alb, getting off here, governor; good
| day. Did l understand you to say, Mr..
| Thompson, that the Dispatch viewed
| with alarm the bolt of the Scandinavian
press, and that -" but Mr.. Thompson
held up his hand with an eloquent ges-
ture. winked one more comprehensive
| wink and-Signaled the conductor to
| stop the car. He didn't say word.