Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-10
Things Are Very Much Mixed Up in
Minnesota.
CAN'T PROPHESY TIE RESULT
OBJECTIONS from Both the RepubIi-
can and Democratic Parties.
THE PLACES


Free silver Is the magic fiux which has
elements which for many years. each In Its
own way. have been fighting republicanism
In Minnesota. 1t has accomplished a task
that would have been promptly declared
impossible six months ago by any political
prophet who knew his business and had
any pride in his reputation.
Who could have supposed. for instance,
that the Minnesota democracy. for years
docile and willing beast Of burden for
Michael Doran. would suddenly kick up its
heels throw young Mr.. Dan Lawler. the
political son of Doran, and make a wild
dash into the free silver camp. after having
obediently sent a gold delegation to the
Chicago convention? Who could have sup
posed that such a sagacious and pertina-
cious chaser Of populistic rainbows as Ig-
natius Donneily would be received in Il
state democratic convention as persona
gratissima and listened to through all his
dehunclatory periods with fattering atten-
ton? Who could have imagined that
events could 80 shape themselves that a
lifelong republican and an ex-Congress-
man like John Lind of New Ulm would be
named with unanimity and enthusiasm by
democratic state convention for governor
of Minnesota? Yet these strange things
nave come to pass. and stranger yet may
happen II free silver continues to weave
its potent spell over the commonwealth Of
Minnesota.
Hatred of Clough.
The political situation here Is. indeed
quite without parallel. and it will take all
the ozone produced by the thunder and
lightning Of next November to clarity the
atmosphere. The anti-republican elements
are seemingly united in a hard and fast
brothe rhood, which will give the old party
the hardest tussle 1t has ever had for the
control of the state. The spoils pros
pective and present responsibility have
been divided very eauitably among the
parties to the silver treaty. First. the sill
yer republicans who have left their party
under the leadership Of Congressman Chas
A. Towne of Duluth held a mass conven-
a snaa ana presented Lind for governor. They
asked nothing more on the ticket except
one elector. In the person Of John Day
Smith OF this city, former state senator
ana man of influence in the councils Of
MS party. In the selection of Lind the sill
yer leaders showed great political acumen
Inc action of the republicans in nominat-
ing David NJ. Clough of this city for the
oHce 10 which he succeeded when Gov
Senator knute Nelson afforded the silver
men a golden opportunity which they did
not scruple to take advantage of in spite
OF their dislike for the yellow metal. Clough
Is the product of what is known as the
machine and his administration has
been exceedingly distasteful to many good
republicans all over the state. It is
charged that he has used state patronage
freely 10 secure for himself the nomina ton
ana to lntrench the machine in power.
To Head On Merriam.
1t is also more than suspected that his
nomination Is only one feature Of a long
cherished plan of the machine to land
William r. Merriam. the st. Paul banker
and former governor. in the seat in the
United States Senate now warmed nv
Cushman X. Davis. Merriam is hated ard
reared by large section of the party who
see In him the potentiaHty of boss And
these dissatisfied republicans believe that
the best way to wreck the machine Is to
fracture the cog labeled "Clough" ire
tr:evably. II the anti-republican forces had
put up two candidates, one democratic and
one populist. as usual. an effective bolt Of
Clough would have been impossible and
the republican dissidents would have been
powerless. To forestall any sucn POSSIBLE
lily the silver republicans named Lind q
clean. able man. who had voluntarily re-
tired from Congress because Of his poverty,
and who was not an aspirant for office at
this time. Moreover, Lind Is a Swe.ie, who
could De counted on to corral a large sec
tion of the clannish Scandinavian vote
Watered and warmed by these favorInp
elements. the Lind boom grew apace until
when the democratic state convention was
held In Minneapolis August 3. the lstonish-
Ing phenomenon before adverted to of a
unanimous and acclamatory nomina ion
came to pass. Nor Is the approval of the
populist state convention at all doubtful
SO that Clough must meet single, strong
armed champion In the duel to the death
There are not wanting many close obse-y-
ers who believe that while Minnesota will
declare for gold she will nevertheless name
a silver governor. II the general fight Of
gold vs. silver Is at all close 1t may be
taken for certainty that John Lind will
win out.
Allotting the Places.
The tripartite treaty Of the silver forces
in Minnesota Is intended to secure COM
Pile e fusion down through the list Of coun-
ty and city nominations. On the state
ticket it contemplates this division of the
nominations: Governor, John Lind, silver
republican; lieutenant governor, populist,
probably Maj. ]. NJ. Bowler of Bird Island :
attorney general. populist. probably John
A.. Reyes of Duluth: secretary Of state.
Julius j. He:nrichs of Minneapolis, demo-
crat: treasurer Thomas McKinnon Of
Crookston. democrat. The congressional
nominations are to be divided in a similarly
equitable way In the first district dem
ocrat will ne put up to oppose James A.
Tawney the present Congressman from
Winona. with the probabilities favoring
Moonan Of Waseca. In the second Frank
A. Day of Falrmont, silver republican,
state senator and brevet lieutenant gov
ernor. has already been named to meet
Congressman McCleary of Mankato. In the
third Congressman Heatwole Of Mortified
will probably have to do battle with a dem
ocrat. although there Is talk Of forcing the
redoubtable Ignatius Donnelly into the
fight. In order to assuage his grief at The
unceremonious manner In which he was
turned down at st. Louis.
The situation in the fourth Ia very much
unsettled. In the natural course of events
q democrat should be named. but the popu-
lists have already named Francis H. Clark,
who, Watson-like, refuses utterly to pull
out. Congressman Kiefer of st. Paul Is
likely to be defeated in his fight for a
republican denomination by F. c. Stevens,
also Of ST. Paul.
Loren Fletcher's Antagonist.
In this. the fifth district. 1t is already set
tied that 8. M. Owen, who ran for governor
on the populist ticket two years ago and
ran ahead Of the democratic candidate, will
make the fight for the united silver men
against Loren Fletcher. In tho sixth Con-
gresham Towne. silver republican Of Du-
luth. Is sure of being named by the fusion
lists against Judge Paige Morris, also of
Duluth. The fight here will be pretty one,
as both are young men, enthusiastic cam
paigners and fine orators. In the seventh
E. E. Lommen. populist, has already been
selected to run against Frank NJ Eddy of