St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-18
A GRAND OPENING.
The Senatorial Caucus and
a Barrel of Ponderous
Proportions
READY FOR THE FRAY.
Legitimate Campaign Ex-
penses, as Defined by
Modern Politicians.
FLANAGAN'S ORPHAN HOME
Being Cared for in Conjune-
tion With the Senatorial
Contest.

The doubtful column in the list Of
members who are to elect United
States senator was cut down several
notches yesterday. and there was cor
responding increase in the number of
votes claimed for the leading cOntes-
tants. There is no question that money
is being used very freely for the pay
ment of Legitimate campaign eX-
penses," and the definition Of this term
is one that admits of pretty broad
meaning in some cases. The story of
yesterday was the story OF
every other day since the
contest began, except that the workers
were more earnest and the "work" was
growing of more and more doubtful
character. For the past forty eight hours
there has been in progress regular
tug g-of-War for the possession of GER
tain delegation composed of three men
who have been in the doubtful column.
To disinterested observer this contest
is ludicrouS one. Two or three times
it has been announced that the dolega-
tion was for certain candidate, only to
be followed by connter statement that
they have not yet decided how they
would vote. There are fully dozen
men who have watched the proceedings
with good deal of amusement at the
show OF careful consideration" which
this delegation was giving the matter
before final decision was made. AT
o'clock this morning, after a long SeS-
sion in the Washburn headquarters, it
was announced that the members in
question had concluded to adopt the ad-
vice contained in the numerous petitions
from their constituents and vote for
Washburn. If they had concluded to
support Nelson they could have done so
on the same ground, as they also have a
pocket full of petitions favOring the
governor.
This is not by any means the only
the legitimate
Expenses of the Campaign
are being promptly met. If the caucus
adopts the secret ballot as the manner
of ofvoting, still further evidence will be
found. One of the purchasing agents
of the Canadian Pacific road has been
in the city for twenty-four hours, and
is taking deep interest in the SEN
atorial hight. He appears to be per-
fectly robust and hearty. and does not
bear any Of the symptoms of a
man who is here for his health.
The president of the great Minneapo-
lis gambling syndicate was also in
the city yesterday and had number of
interviews with doubtful members. 1t
was said that he was looking up some
legislation looking to the establishment
of an orphan asylum, or some such
charitable scheme, but the Washburn
people evidently we're hard to rope in on
the deal, for he spent the entire day in
trying to convince the Washburn man
ayers that it was good thing. 1t is not
supposed that he had any other busi-
ness with them. but then he might have
had without any one knowing it, as the
meetings in which he participated were
very private.
Yesterday was very busy day on the
part Of the Washburn managers, and as
it drew to close they seemed to feel
much elated. Whether it was at the
prospect of thaw or the consciousness
of having performed religious duty In
giving their sanction to
Flanagan's Orphan Asylum
scheme, they were evidently feeling
good. Bob Evans had returned from a
hasty visit to st. Louis. and the greater
part of the distributors of petit
tions had come in - from the
country, and the full force of "exes"
was on hand bright and early. A meet.
ing of the Washburn men was called to
discuss ways and means, and for the
first time in the campaign something
closely resembling system was ln-
augurated.
At the meeting of the forces three
things were definitely decided upon as
absolutely essential to Washburn's
election: First, secret ballot; sec
ond, an agreement that majority of
those present should bind as nomina-
ton, and third. the appointment of a
committee of six to have charge of the
funds with which to meet claims COM
ing strictly within the defnation of
the word Legitimate"
The third proposition was adopted
first, and the committee was divided
into two pieces. one piece consisting of
three members to go around and find
out just what the expenses were, and
the other, also of three, to pay the bills.
Of course, the hotel bills are submitted
in the regular way, but then there were
such things as cigars and matches, and
things that have to be paid for in a cam
paign Of this sort, and it was only proper
that these things should be looked after
by committee.
1t is singular that this committee, es-
pecially the part of it whose duty it
is to
Actually Pay the Money,
should be the object Of such unusual
interest by the Nelson managers. They
claim to know just who is on the COM
mittee, and they never allow these men
to make a move or take step without
their knowledge. 1t really seems too
bad that cigars and things cannot be
paid for in the ordinary way, without
taking all these precautions.
The proposition for a secret ballot in
caucus, and the adoption Of the rule
that the majority OF those present are
to name the candidate was also made