The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-06-26
; Contest.

| Tams Bixby's genius for organization
and management is being demonstrat-
ed very fully as the reports come in
|. from the Republican county conven-
tions. Gov Clough appears to be the
favorite even in places where favorlte
sons have been cultivating the politi
cal plough lands. On the face Of it he
is getting all the best Of the contests
in the outside counties. There Is no
sort Of question that these early re-
turns are going to help David II. the
fights he is compelled to wage in Ram
sey and Hennepin counties. And here
again the touch of a master hand is
felt. BiXby doesn't talk. He leaves the
oratorical business to professionals like
Clerk of the Supreme Court Dave
Reese His own brain work Is devoted
to plans Of campaign, private advice
and widespread manipulations which
will produce decisive results.
In Hennepin and Ramsey, as the gov
errors manager foresaw, the hardest
fights would be made, proportionately
to size so Tams allowed some people
to understand he was anxious to have
the conventions held on certain dates.
But he didn't. He wanted the effect
VI q oiiioli-oiAOx ot0iilPC0O " LAC 6ON-
ernor, so that the sense Of the prob
able outcome would have ample time to
fix the heads of that large class Of
voters and workers who desire to ride
with the winning horse. Hence Ram
sey and Hennepin county conventions
are about the last to be held, and their
action may or may not be Of impor-
tance to the leading man wheL the
time comes to declare themselves.
AS to Ramsey, unless the surface in
dications are all wrong, Gov. Clough
will get its votes. This indication is
strenuously combated by Clapp's local
workers, but careful review Of the
situation appears to give C1ough all
the best Of 1t. From the First ward,
where Senator ,Sheehan and Harry
Sundberg are rounding up the Clough
supporters, to the far-away eleventh,
where A. G.. Clausen is doing the parts
of scout and commander combined, the
governors interests are being cared
for by the active workers, who know
the active voter, and are on familiar
terms with the men who always vote
at primaries when other folks forget
or neglect to do so. Even in the sew
enth Clough is going to get some dele
gates although at the start 1t was ger
orally conceded that Gen. Clapp would
be able to get the delegation for the
county convention.
Counties like st. Louis, Morrison,
Kanabec and Rock furnish other cases
In point. Clough is now given the
votes of the first two solid, by general
report. The contestants from Kanabec
will have no show for seats since it
seems certain that Bixby will be able
to secure control Of the committee on
credentials. Rock county is the home
of Senator Miller, probably the most
bitter anti-Clough man in the state.
Miller is feared even more than he is
liked by the Republicans of his own
town and county, because when he gets
after anybody In his paper he never
quits until he goes clean down the line
with his dislike. He has been ham
mering Cloughe as an unfit man for
governor most consistently since the
legislature adjourned. Yet the G l o e
was told late last night by Republican
leader that Rock county will be divided,
and Clough will have some delegates
from there. Bfxby managed this by
having clever Clough men go into Rock
from Mobiles county, stronghold of
the governor. These men have turned
Millers flank already, as the story goes,
will successfully aid Bill Lockwood to
deliver Pipestone's delegates to Clough
Clay and Faribault counties are put
| down as divided. The delegates from
Clay have simply placed themselves at
the disposal of Hon. w. B. Douglas,
candidate for attorney general. Their
votes, judicfously cast, may further his
chances materially. and If Clough's
strength is beyond assault when the
convention meets it is not at all unlikely
that he will get the Clay delegation
solid.
Even the governorship fight at this
stage is not more exciting than the fight
for Mr. Childs place will be in the con-
vention Nate Kingsley is regarded by
many people as q good enough man for
Clough to help, because Mower county
has instructed for the governor. This
was a bold move, under the circum-
stances, and whatever else Clough may
be, he is a fighter who sticks by his
friends No doubt Ben Smiths success
is nearest to the hearts Of the Blue
Earth delegation. OF the country can
didates, Farmer John L. Gibbs is lead
ing at this time. Clapp comes next,
and then Van SAINT. Gibbs will un-
doubtedly get some Of the delegates
who are doubtful, as will Van SAINT
and Lee; but when all is said and done,
the best that these men can get, ap-
parently is chance for second place on
the tic.set. Eustis is dea6 one ct pre-