The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-09

Events in Hennepin county indicate that
the Republicans are taking shape against
the return of Knute Nelson to the senate.
AS nearly as can be learned the culmina-
ton Is due to a meeting of the four" big
ones, Congressman Fletcher, Charles A.
Pillsbury, Capt. s. r. Van SAINT and
Steve Lovejoy, at the Office of the latter,
enc day early In the present week. After
the meeting the story Travelled that a
combine had been effected for Hennepin.
covering the candidate for governor and
an anti-Nelson candidate. For the former
Capt. Van SAINT was the favorite, and for
the other Mr.. Pillsbury To learn def
n1tely, prominent Republican made 1t
his business to investigate. He found both
reports confirmed at headquarters" He
informed the G o that Mr.. Pillsbury
was little foxy, as yet, still there was
no doubt but that such would be the sit
Iation in a short time, and Mr.. PilIsbury.
De out openly to beat Nelson. AS to
van SAINT. his candidacy was acknoWI-
edged by Mr.. Lovejoy. The latter being
asked If he was to manage the captain S
campaign, he said that he would not say
that he would manage" 1t, but he would
take hand to help 1t all he could con-
slstently with his official duties.
Considerable surprise is expressed at the
course taken by Congressman Fletcher,
III being thus thrown across the path Of
Senator Nelson's ambition, but it Is said
to be due to Mr. Fletcher's fears regard
Ing his own case. He Is said to be thor
oughiy alarmed-cant sleep nights-says
friend, on account of the increasing
probability that Judge Canty will be the
democratic candidate against him.
There is no doubt but what Fletcher
rully agreed with Nelson that If he would
appoint LoveJoy postmaster he would
see to 1t that there was no opposition to
Nelson in Hennepin, but he did not fore
see that 1t would endanger. his own pros
poets This has come from the antipa-
thy against Nelson, due to several causes
which as astute an observer as Mr.
Fletcher might have foreseen, among
them the bitterness from the old Wash
burn fight, and, a local matter entirely,
the snubbing of Hennepin by Nelson in
the last campaign on account of young
Mr.. Webster. Webster and the Kindred
campaign recall Fletcher's monetary
connection with Nelson. 1t is an old
story, but always questioned, that
Fletcher aided Nelson when the Little
Norwegian defeated Kindred, and at a
time, too so it is said, when Kindred
supposed he was on the most intimate
political terms with Fletcher But 1t
must not be thought that there remained
dHy oDilSdIlon on nelson part.
The friends of Nelson, of whom there
are many sincere ones in Hennepin, are
very bitter at the developments, and it
1t possible that they will make a fight
for Knute but only possible. Such Of
them as are of Norwegian connection
declare 1t is but scheme for throwing
down the Norwegians. as the epublicans
have thrown" about all of the other
nationalft1es, the only glaring exception
to which Is that Congressman Fletcher
is said to have the Irish, so far as they
can be represented by Joe Mannix, who
Is now on the staff of Fletcher. But the
combine will probably be too large for
them to do anything with. Van SAINT
after the experience with Eustis, can
easily carry Hennepin. Apropos Of
which the Van SAINT men are very bitter
against Collins.
From this on the anti-Nelson campaign
in Hennepfn can be seen without q spy
glass, anr the best point of observation
will be nearest the person Of Big Miller
Charles Pillsbury