The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-15
Chat Of the Capital.
Washington Gossip, Political and
Otherwise, for the Readers
Of the Globe.

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 14--(Special)-
The members Of congress from a major
tty Of the Northwestern states have a
good deal of legislation which they are
anxious to put through congress at this
session. They seem to have come to
Washington this year with more pet
measures in their pockets than has ever
been known in the past. A good many of
these bills will benefit the localities from
which the representatives come, but. in
view of the fact that a large number Of
them ask for appropriations of greater
or less amount, 1t is not at all likely that
more than one-tenth of them will become
laws.
The Minnesota members came here with
their pockets bullying out with plans for
legislation, and while they have not been
so anxious as other members to get them
in the house and senate during the first
week of congress, a good many of them
have measures which they are now pre-
pairing, many Of which will probably be
introduced before the holiday recess is
taken, though the G b e correspond
ent has been informed that some of them
holiday recess, so that after their In
PRODUCTION the members will push them
before the proper committees and do
the best they can to get favorable re-
ports, and then make one tremendous eff
fort to pass the most important ones,
at any rate, through both houses. Any
measure that may be sanctioned by both
houses WILL without doubt, be Endorsed
by the president, unless, perchance, the
river and harbor bill carries so great
an appropriation with it that the presi-
dent may not find it wise to approve it.
He may permit it to become a law, how
ever, as President Cleveland did upon
one OCCASION, in which event the North
western members who are asking for ap-
propriations for waterway improvements
will get what they are after.
Former Gov. Merriam, of Minnesota,
seems to have gained the confidence
not only of the president but his official
associates, and also his numerous friends
in both houses of congress. The former
governor is, it is understood, considered
one Of the most capable men for taking
the coming census that could have been
selected Gov Merriam seems to attend
strictly to his business al the census
ONCE, ana IS not ullAlIlS up oS hluCA ebo
It is stated he has been in Minnesota pol
itics. OF course, he is called upon fire.
ouently by congressman and politicians
who visit the capital, but it cannot be
discovered that he has in any way at
tempted to dictate to any of them or to
dictate what candidates shall be nom
mated in the state campaign next year.
The big Democratic politicians in this
of d
ing the selection of a candidate to run
with Col Bryan next year as do the Re
publicans in reference to the nomination
of their vice presidential candidate. The
Democrats appear to be somewhat weak
in the East so far as good timber Tor
second place on the national ticket IS
concerned 1t does not appear that there
are very many prominent men anxious
to make the race with Col. Bryan, though
there is a possibility that a good many
may develop within the next few months.
It is in the Middle West and Far West
that it would be an easy matter to Sc
cure the consent of bright men to go
upon the ticket with Col. Bryan, and
among them are John R. Mclean, late
Democratic candidate for governor of
Ohio: c. A Towne (silver Republican,,
former congressman from the Sixth Min
neSota district; James Hamilton Lewis,
of Washington. and perhaps one or two
well known Californians who would like
to have the honor at least of making the
fight with Bryan. whether their eXpecta-
tions for being elected were of the best
or not. That Col. Bryan however, Is go
ing to give the present occupant of the
White house great deal of trouble next
year, even if he does not win. is admitted
by Republican leaders in this city In
view of the fact that John R. Mclean is
looking for an office of considerable
prominence and has the money to spend
to put up a good campaign. 1t is not at
all improbable that among the vice presi-
Dental timber vet discussed the Ohio
editor and politician may be Col Bryan 8
choice, and in that event he will proba-
bly, be nominated.
Unless fusion reigns supreme at the
next Democratic national convention, ii
is not at all likely that Mr. Towne will
be offered second place on the ticket with
Col. Bryan. Their views in many re-
speets are similar. but it is said that the
friendship which heretofore existed be-
tween them Is not as strong as 1t was
some time ago, so there is a possibility
that the association would be objection
able to both. However, there is nothing
heard to indicate that they have had any
serious split, and If 1t is decided by the
Democratic leaders, after consultation
with the leading silver Republicans and
Populists, that former Congressman
Towne should be nominated for the vice
presidency it is possible that he would
consent to make the race.
The Democrats with whom I have dis
cussed this matter seem to think-a ma
jority of them, at least-that the Demo-
cratic leaders will finally discover that it
would be wiser for them to give the nom
nation for the vice presidency to the
Cincinnati editor, for they know that 1t
would be difficult for them to secure a
running mate for the chief man on the
ticket who would contribute more money
and as much energy as would Mr.. Nc
Lean. Van.