The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-06-25
How GOV. CLOUCH STANDS
Il AM FOR VAN SAINT HE
DECLARES AGAIN

DoeS NOT Deny That in Certain
Contingencies He Might Himself
He a Candidate for Reelection
Convention.
Gov. Clough is not out Of the race for
governor 3'4
Any one whose political compu. atoms
nave been based on the assumption that
GoF. Cicugh Is to take to the tall tim
Der OF private life subsequent to the
first Tuesday in January next, must get
new tables and start again.
me governors first choice for COVER
nor Is Van SAINT. He says so himself
Two years ago it was Clough This is
not inconsistent Two years ago he de-
sired vindication. Some scoffers had
suggested that he had come into the
governorship by .the back door, so to
speak, ana he wanted to show them
that the portals We're all open to him.
Having demonstrated his ability to
secure his reelection, deserved, as he
bslleVes. he would be content now TO
shed his official garments on Capt. Van
SaEIt, knowing that the WiEona man
would not by enc jot or title abate the
honor which has suffussd the glstening
brow or ClOugh with a Peaceful, unos-
tentatious halo.
The G be, with other papers, has
frequently averred that Gov. Clough
was in favor CT the nomination of Can't
van SAINT. But in order the the popular
mind might not be further perplexed by
doubts. a reporter was dispatched to
he Office of the chief executive yester-
Gay to secure from him a definite state
nent Of his position.
When the situation had been broach-
6nlic1fplV
might be, the governor not only sub
united to an interview, but passed to
the interviewer a tab OF his executive
note paper. with the behest:
Write 1t down as 1 give it to you"
The governor has been interviewed
before
Are you a candidate for governor"
was asked. Some papers have credit
cd you with aspirations to reelection
and with having secured delegations
favorable to your 1eturn.'
Il am very much opposed to Clough,"
replied the governor. 81 am very favor
able to Van SAINT Never change
fronts"
would you accept nomination I'M
der any circumstances? pressed the
inquisitor. i ~
But the governor. did not return
categorical answer. replying:
81 am for Van SAINT"
So, if it appears to tine present pilot
oe the ship Of state that the helm may
fall into the handSI of pirates. he will
ECld it another two years rather than
willingly surrender, it to an unworthy
successor. as hs,sees things.
You are personally friendly with
Judge Collins, was suggested, with an
intona ton Of inquiry.
Personally friendly? What do you
mean?" asked the governor. 81 am for
Van SAINT. On. yes. Judge Collins and
myself are personal friends. He has
been a personal friend of mine for
years. 1 have thousands of friends in
the state
1t would not be strange if Judge Co.
liEs should be content with a supreme
court judgeship rather than see the
tiller wrenched by force from the hands
of his friend Ciough, or the latter's
friend Van SAINT. ,.g- -,
When the unwritten history of, the
Republican convention of Thursday is
digested by the 'aSsimilating organs of
history, it, is possible that the incident
about to be narrated may present a.
different appearance, but just now the
laugh appears; to be on one is. Van
diver. whose satires. ON the ways and
means Of surdry local politicians I'M
der the title Of '"The Boss Of the Ward
indicated familiarity that might have
forewarned him against such sorrows
as MS present one.
Although Vandiver managed to get
elected delegate. from his precinct
Wednesday night, in spite of his COM
paratively brief sojourn in the bailiw ok,
he was SO busy with aft Iirs OF greater
moment as chief auxiliary cruiser Of the
Dispatch boats, drawing up resolutions
IN accord with the policy of the paper,
and finding openings for his managing
editor to serve his country, that Van
had to neglect the purely local issues
somewhat.
However, he prided himself that his
valiant work in behalf of the party
during the recent city campaign had
not been despised by Col. Kiefer, and
when the mayors fidus, w. r. Johnson,
came ard offered to look after him, the
usually skeptical satirist was gulled in
tie most child-iike way.
Its this way" said Johnson. you
have rot lived there long. Van, and a
lot of these old fellows might think it
presuning if you chased around and
asked them to vote for you for delegate
to the state convention, Now I'll see
that they don't leave you off the list,
ard you need not worry about it."
So Van went rowing about pulling
chestnuts out of the fire for a lot Of
sapient animals. / secure in his own
laErels.
But after a bit. Johnson quietly tipped
to him that the situation had changed
a little.
sT've seen Ffnehout," said Johnson.
"and I've got il fixed for you to be nam
ed as delegate at large, I'll get the
chairmanshiD of the ward delegation
and you'll go at large.
But during a lull in his trance. Van
diver suspected that smelling was up.
Pinning Finehout in a corner back of
the stage he found that Johnson had
been promised place at large himself,
and that he had given assurances that
Vandiver would be given the ward
craftsmanship.
Vandiyer nailed johnson, but the
latter insisted that Finehout had mis-
understood the thing. and that the ar
rangement was just the opposite. He
would see that it was fixed.
Meanwhile. however, the Eighth ward
had held a caucus, after 1t was found
that Johnson would be placed on the
delegation at large, and the caucus
nominee was not member OF the VAN
diver family either Van did not air his
woes on the floor of the convention with
the frankness Of S. D. Downs, of the
Second, who was thrown down with
just as much force, but more finish. per-
haps, but when the 'thet tanale'' man
of the Dispatch could get Johnson's
ear, he whispered 10 him:
Smooth boy, Billy. I'll have laugh
about this some day. 1t may be tomor-
row, next week, next month. or perhaps
in twenty years, but it will be some
bright sunny on1orning. when you will
wake up and find that it's been broken,
OFF in you and ~turEed around
So it seems that Instead Of rhythmic
wand of harmony, the Republican party
is in imminent danger OF disruption
from a treIchaflt ra,pier, the tip Of
which is dipped IN eTabasco sauce.