The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-02
DOWNING SEEMS 70 LEAD
RENVILLE MAN SEEMS TO HAVE
THE CALL ON THE SPEAKER
SHIP THIS WINTER
THREE DISTRICTS ARE SOLID
southeastern Part of the State VIII
BE Content With Sergeant-at-
arms and Engrossing
Clerk. -

The administration received another
severe blow yesterday when TIA reese
Schiffmann- Warner combine on Albert
Berg for the speakership was completely
turned down by the Fourth district legis-
lative delegation. 1t would seem from
the result of this meeting that the "ad-
ministration'' is not having everything it's
own way, and that the power of the local
triumvirate is sadly lacking at the right
time.
The delegation eight out of the eleven.
met at the Merchants hotel. The object
of the meeting was to decide upon the
choice for the speakership. Albert Berg
was not indorsed Michael J. Bowling
was. So far as those present were con-
cerned, there was no division of opinion.
The vote was unanimous for the RenviIle
man. There was great fluttering about
IN the Berg camp after the meeting,
but that had no effect. In the corridor
of the hotel, which was thronged all
afternoon with politicians of vaMous sta
lions and degrees of importane, was Al
bert Berg himself and his loyal lieuten-
ants, but it was numerical strength on
the inside that was wanted, and not vocal
energy on the exterior hence the last
district which Berg could hone to have
secured went glirnmering.
Bowling is the only man in the race
for the speakership of the next house
who can show a tangible hand. He is
now the regularly indorsed candidate Of
the First and Fourth districts. and has
friends pledged in the Second, Third and
the Fifth. The Third district, the home
OF bowling, the district that has never
had speaker, will. of course, support
its own man.
Figuring that Bowling will have the five
districts named, his total support thereby
is just 81 votes out of &C., With this out
look and the probability of even it be-
ing materially improved upon, but only
a mere possibility Of its being damaged.
Downing S chances for the chair certainly
seem OF the most excellent character. The
Sixth and Seventh represent a total of
twenty-nine votes. What the Sixth will
do with her seventeen Republican may be,
at least in a measure, guessaA from the
statement of prominent Republican MEM
bers of that delegation. The Sixth dele
cation meets at the Merchants Tuesday.
A representative-elect, who mas been in
the house from Duluth before, stated to
the u o e yesterday that the Sixth
district delegation may be expected to
cast their vote for Bowling when thew
come together Tuesday. Mr. Laybourn.
asked his opinion as to their probable
action, merely stated, ''Wef1. Won NAV
say that they will meet Mr. Laybourn.
II defeated, will accept the result In the
pest OF spirits. He does not sas, that hic
candidacy IS withdrawn vet. however
some OF Laybourn's friends believe that
mad Ferris declared himself positively as
out OF the race that the Culuthian might
nave met with success; others do NOT ac-
cept this theory, but admit that their
nelghbor was not in the race from the
start. - 'ii0
Berg is still candidate. 1t Is rof
known upon what basis he POUNDS his
hopes, but he will probably net clear the
neId until after the ballo:s are finally
When it was learned Yesterday tina.
Berg had lost his Old district II G Fourth
even his most ardent supporters could
not help hut admit that his candidacy
mad met its Waterloo. SO far as his
strength In the Seventh district was con-
eerned, that has been an unknown uuan.
tlty and certainly could never have been
claimed on the basis of his ever having
oeen resident OF the district. Dur
Ing his five months residence there he
has visited the section but few times,
so that there were no strings binding
him to the hearts of the people on the
''old pioneer" spiel.
BeIore the action of the Fourth dis
trict yesterday there was a strong Fer
ris vote in various parts Of the state
Had the Fourth divided on either Dow
ling and Berg, or Ferris and Berg, there
would possibly have been scme fun.
Sid p. Barteau, of Zumbrota which is
in the Third district, the home Of
Downing, was a FERRIS man and Bar
teau with several others who possessed
Following, might have turned the tide
for Ferris. After the Fourth had unan-
fmous}y declared itself however. Bar
teau came ont squarcly for bowling and
stated that there was now no further
doubt but that his own district would
stay with Bowling.
1t is plain unat Bowling. has all the
best of it, presuming that the speaker
ship light is to be Waged separately from
other issues.
COMPLICATIONS MAY ARISE
This is where the senatorship will cut
in 1t is, Of course, Pre-. eminently in
Senator Nelson's interest," to see that the
speaker is a man friendly to him. as
the speaker might Re able to give him
not little the worst oil it in the coming
scramble, were the presiding officer OF
the house So inclined.
What the Alexandrian wants is to see
the man chosen speaker who can get in
with the least friction. Knute, himself,
stumped the state thoroughly during the
last campaign, working night ami day
for the ticket, state and local, aud he
not only has the favor of the state adj
ministration, by reason Of his earnest
work for the incoming governor, but he
has reasons to feel at least that he ought
to command the support Of a large major
ity OF the Republican members of the
house, in whose campaign he assisted
as actively last fall as was consistent
with senatorial dignity
While the senator has not permitted
his friends to commit him to any candi-
date for the speakership, 1t is likely that
Bowling would suit him best, as his
election would be possible solely on the
strength of his national activity, he hav-
ing been secretary of the National
League of Republican clubs as well as
commissioner to Luzon, by the courtesy
Of Secretary Root intrusted with a prl-
vate, and almost diplomatic, errand.
Berg is Objectionable on two grounds,
first, that he is from the Seventh, as is
Nelson, and second, that he is too close
to the Ramsey leaders, who are supposed
to be supporting Ed Rogers for the place,
In the hope of getting him out Of Oar
Reese's way when Oar wants to run for
congress two years hence. Laybourn is
close to corpora tons in and about Du-
iuth, to which Nelson las little reason