The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-20
CITY HALL POLITICS.


There has been a let-up in the number
of delegations calling. on the mayor and
city engineer in the interests of various
candidates for street commiSSionerShipS
in the several wards. While the delega-
lions are not in evidence around the city
hall, it is not to be supposed that the ad-
herents of the politicians who would
serve the city as street commissioners
at SIS per month are idle. Far from 1t.
The quiet work is going on, and men
prominent in Republican circles slip into
Mayor Kiefer's office at all hours of the
day for a quiet conference and to tip as
to the right man in this and that ward
for the jobs.
1t has been pretty well settled that
while City Engineer Claussen has, under
the charter, the appointment of the street
commissioners, the appointments will de-
pend largely upon the Endorsement Of the
mayor, and this probably accounts for so
MANY of the delegations and politicians
calling on the mayor first before present
ing the names of candidate to the city
engineer. Mr.. Claussen stated yesterday
that he had required all the candidates
for the positions to file applications in his
office, and some day he intended going
over the pigeon-hole filled with applica-
tons and petitions and weighing up the
candidates. Something like fifty appli-
cants have notified the city engineer that
they would accept the six positions which,
if the powers that be WISH can be de-
clared vacant and filled by new men.
Mayor Kiefer, President Pottgieser and
Steve Picha are reported as having held
a conference yesterday, and agreed upon
the street commissioner from the Fifth
and Sixth wards. 1t had been expected
at least by the West side push that the
commissioner from the two yards would
be selected from the Sixth ward. The
mayor, however, after consulting with
President Pottgieser and Steve Picha, de-
cided that it would be- the best thing to
placate the Fifth warders with the posi-
ton, and the commissioner to succeed
Thomas F. Yorke will be from the Fifth
ward It is understood that Louis F.
Schultz, proprietor of the Seventh Street
Lumber company, will be named probably
tomorrow.
The contest for commissioner for the
First and Second wards has not been
settled as yet w. L. Ames, a member
of the board of public works, insists that
the commissioner be chosen from. his
ward, the Second. The First ward gang
declare that should this plan be carried
out there will be trouble and it might
extend over until the delegation from the
First ward casts It's vote in the next city
convention. This puts the question up
to- Mayor Kiefer, and as he has not
decided as to which end he wishes to
take the present Incumbent, p. ]. Elk
berg, from the First ward, will remain
for a while.
There was some talk of having Charles
Reichow, formerly a deputy in Sheriff
Wagener's office, succeed John E. Will
liams as commissioner Of the paved
streets. It looked for a time as though
Reichow would land the plum, but the
selection of Schultz as commissioner for
the Fifth and Sixth wards, would kill off
Reichow, as both Reichow and Schultz
are from the Fifth ward, and 1t would
never do to have two appointments from
the same ward. '6
There are all kinds of rumors about
changes which are to be made in the
police and detective departments. Mayor
Kiefer makes light Of the rumors when
mentioned to him, and invariably replies
there have been no changes as yet
Close friends of his honor admit that
he would like to give the police depart
ment and especially the officials shake
uo, and they wonder why he has not
taken the matter in hand before now.
That he does not or will not take the
Oilu0I liH P0iSoldI CndISo'
and make several changes is said to be
owing to his desire to secure a renomina-
ton, and he fears that a reorganization
of the department would injure his
chances, and cast a reflection on the
business administration now In charge
of affairs.
The state railroad and warehouse COM
mission yesterday confirmed the selection
of F. Prodger' as deputy grain inspector
at Duluth Judge Willis cast the only
vote against his appointment. A. N. Barn
card, the present chief deputy at Duluth
who will be succeeded by Mr. Prodger
has been member of the grain inspec-
ton force since 1885. E. w Knatvoid, of
Albert Lea, is mentioned for the chief dep
utyship in Minneapolis. He is a brother
OF the state senator from Freedom coun-
ty.