The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-09
LITTLE TAKERS OF TRICKS,

Though it is almost year before either
political party in Hennepin county will
indulge in the luxury of a political con-
vention, there is more slate-making going
on now than the average citizen is aware
of.
Beginning with the office of congress-
man, there is some whispering behind the
curtains of trouble in store for Uncle"
Loren Fletcher. This trouble had its ORR
gin year ago in the appointment of
Stephen B. Longley as postmaster. Mel
son Williams, who has done no more to
advance the interests of his party than
by going to the polls on election day and
voting, had the temerity, not to saw au-
dacity, to aspire to fill the shoes of the
then Democratic postmaster, F. G. Hol-
brook He prepared a lengthy petition
which contained some 400 signatures, and
then waited on Mr.. Fletcher. The latter
politely informed him that he was not
in it," that he had better look after his
business, il he had any, and not lose any
time in trying to kill game out of season.
This made Williams very wrathy, and he
went to Washington with his petition,
but was turned down. 1t transpired
about that time that Judge Robert
Jameson was the handspring in Williams
chronometer, and this caused no end of
talk for d time. The judge, finding him
self Outwitted by Uncle" Loren, felt
hurt, and is now said to be planning the
latter's overthrow a year hence This
the disinterested ones can see, will be a
very difficult undertaking. Mr. Fletcher
has been very unselfish in his attention
to the welfare of his constituents since
he was first elected to congress. and any
attempt to beat him out of the nominal
ton will meet with much opposition
The Democrats, on the other hand, feel
confident. even at this early day, of put
ting up ticket that will test the oppo-
sition to the utmost The man practi-
cally decided upon now is Judge Thomas
CAVITY, of the state supreme bench All
classes admit that the judge would make
an ideal congressman, and, being a favor
lite with the laboring classes, would be
a hard man to beat. So far Judge Canty
has not committed himself on matters po-
litical. He has even refused to be inter
viewed about his political future, know
ing, as he does, that the early bird in
such cases does not always catch the
worm. Such Stalwart Democrats as T.
B. Johnson, Judge DOnohue and others
admit that he is the logical candidate of
the party for national honors in this dis
trict From time to time the name of
P. B. Winston has been connected with
the office, but those who know Mr.. Win
ston best say he has no aspirations for
political hOnors; that his extensive rail-
road contracts are all he cares to look
after now, and that the party's choice
would be perfectly satisfactory to him. 1t
is conceded on all sides that Mr.. Winston
is very strong politically, and should he
aspire to national honors would, in all
probability, succeed. In addition to be-
ing popular with the masses, he is a
man of large means, and would not hes
itate, if necessary, to spend considerable
of them for the good of the party
The friends of Mayor Gray are sound
ing local feeling on his chances for con-
gress, but those who usually regulate
matters of this sort do not hesitate to
say that a denomination is all he can ex-
pect. 1t is also said that he himself will
be satisfied with a second term, leaving
the Congressional field to the most popu-
lar candidate. Indeed those who seem
to know all about the situation admit
that the mayor has made too many mis-
takes since the first of the year to en-
title him to anything better than what he
has at present. His management of the
police force has made him many enemies
in his own party, and it will be difficult
for him to atone for his apparent short
comings and lack of backbone in dealing
with this important branch of the public
service. Some of his appointments have
not met with favor in the eyes of his
party, but he has yet plenty of time in
which TO repair his fences for the next
campaign.
Hennepin county is not going to be