The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-18
5 Chat Of the Capital.
Washington Gossip, Political and
Otherwise, for the Readers
of the Globe.

WASHINGTON, Dec. T.-(SpeciaI)-
While the Republicans generally claim to
anticipate success in the next presidential
and congressional elections, there are Ger
tain weak spots they have discovered in
the West and Northwest. 1t is by no
means certain, some of them even admit,
that Minnesota will cast it's electoral vote
for William Mckinley for a second term.
There is also possibility, some say,
that Washington state Will again swing
back into the fusion column. South Da-
kota, 1t is also added, will do likewise.
All this. however, is merely preliminary
to the statement that the Republicans of
Minnesota are considerably worried over
the situation in that state and fear that
the state ticket to be nominated next
year will not be successful at the polls.
AT any rate, they fear that the head of
the ticket may not be able to compete
with the man pitted against him, and it
is still believed that that man will be
present Gov. Lind.
Senator Nelson is as much disturbed. it
is understood, as any other Republican in
the. state. He realizes that if weak
man is named to oppose Gov. Lind
the latter NAV not only carry the state
for the governorship, but further,
his votegetting popularity may result IN
an anti-ReDublican legislature, which
would probably mean that Minnesota's
present governor would succeed the junior
senator from that state in the upper
branch of the national congress.
Republicans here figure out that Capt.
Van Zant, of Winona, will head the Re-
publican state ticket, but 2 good many
Of them do not seem to think that he can
compete with the mal who will oppose
him for this position. 1t is limited by a
good many that while there are nominal
candidates in the field for the Republican
subernatorial nomination In Minnesota,
Capt. Van Zant is really the man who
will come to the front for the reason
that the others are not apparently dis
posed to endanger their political future
by running against the man VINO so badly
defeated William Henry Eustis in the
last campaign. Whether Mr.. Van Zant's
candidacy would be entirely satisfactory
to Senator Nelson or not is unknown
here, for the Alexandria statesman is
not disposed TO give out his political
opinions when they are likely to injure
him personally, but 1T is believed that if
Nelson could have his own way he would
prefer that Robert G.. Evans of Mime
apolis should head the Republican ticket
rather than Capt. Van zant, of Winona.
AS nave u5IGlOlOIe stated, Ife seven
Republican congressman from Minnesota
will be renominated. The Republicans
frcm Minnesota here, who have been re-
Gently on the ground, seem to be positive
that every one of the seven will ask for
denomination and the only man likely to
be defeated by his own party is Mr.
Morris, of the Sixth district. 1t is doubt
ed by good many # he can.b re-elect-
ed if he is again candidate in that dis
trict. There are other doubtful districts.
as the Republicans admit, and which the
Democrats feel certain of in Minnesota
1t is by no means so certain that Rep
resentative Fletcher will pull through. and
Representative Eddy, of the Seventh dis
trict. by no means has a einch A good
many dickers and trades are being made
between Republicans of the North Star
state In Washington at the present time,
and an effort is being made to prevent
any clash between the members Of the
congressional delegation at least. 1t
seems to be the desire of TIE majority to
smooth things over so that the party can
present united front in the campaign
next year. Whether or not such result
can be brought about is something that
will have to be decided by developments
in the very near future. Van.