The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-08
Chat Of the Capital.
Washington Gossip, Political and
Otherwise, for the Readers
of the Globe.

~s-~I~~~.~~-o
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 7.-(Spe-
c1al)-Members of the Minnesota dele
cation are just now deyoting a great
deal of time to arranging matters in their
districts so that they will be able to Sc
cure an opportunity to succeed them-
selves at the polls next November.
All the members of the Minnesota dele
cation are anxiously awaiting political
developments In their state Probably
the most interested member Is Senator
Nelson. He has discovered that 1t would
not be polite on his part to endeavor
to dictate the Inen who will be placed
upon the next Republican state ticket.
While 1t Is understood that he is not
anxious for Van SAINTS nomination, he
is not In position to oppose his candi-
dacy and the Winona statesman may
walk away with the coveted prize
at the next state convention Nelson 8
choice ct the start was former Attorney
General Cfapp. During his recent visit to
Minnesota Mr.. Nelson found that it
would be unwise for him to force Cen
erai C1app's candidacy and his purpose
now Is to keep his hands off and permit
the Republicans Of the state to select
their own choice for the head of the
state ticket Senator Nelson realizes the
fact that Van SAINT is not the strongest
vote getter in the Republican party, and
1t is believed fears that If Gov. Lind will.
after the events of last week, accept a
denomination at the hands of the Demo-
Gratis and Populists he will carry
the state, and his success may bring
about the election of an anti-Repubiican
legislature. In such an event the Junior
senator from Minnesota Is well aware OF
the r&ct that the seat he now occupies
in the upper branch of the national con-
gress Will be turned over to his long
time political rival, John Lind Senator
Nelson and Representative Heatwole are
very friendly in political way and If
the former should learn later on that the
Third district representative might Sc
cure the Republican nomination for the
governorship, he would doubtless find it
convenient to advocate his selection for
this honor. Nelson and Heatwole are the
shrewdest politicians in the Minnesota
delegation. This is conceded by the men
who oppose them politically in their
state, and IL they find it convenient later
on to form compact by which Heatwole
could be nominated to head the state
ticket with any chance to succeed at the
polls, such combination would create
little surprise among Minnesota politi-
clans here.
Heatwole is anxious to advance himself
politically. aspiring as he does to first
become cNef executive Of the state, and
thereafter represent this commonwealth
as UniteS States senator. Mr.. Nelson as
everybody knows, desires at least one
more term in the senate. II these two
gentlemen can make a successful deal
within the next few weeks, Capt. Van
SAINT may yet be side-tracked and Heat
wole nominated for the governorship In
the coming camnaien
1t may not be generally known to the
friends of Senator G. K Davis, of Min
nesota. that this great statesman once
earned his living as q telegraph operator
This bit of the life history Of the senator
he mentioned to the writer during the
course of a chat at his residence a few
evenings ago. 1t came out in a curious
way, and the senator seems proud that
he once held such a position.
The writer had a few questions to ask
the senator, and as the night was bitterly
cold, concluded he could more comfort
ably make his queries over the phone
and also save time which 1t Is said Is
money.
He accordingly called up the Davis
residence and Mrs. Davis answered the
telephone, and said that the senator was
ut home and she would see If he would
she returned and said the senator would
be pleased to see the gentleman at his
home, but could not carry on a CONVERSE
ton over the telephone
The writer at once started for the Davis
mansion and arriving there, was imme-
diately ushered into the snug library Of
the senator. Mr.. Davis was seated in
leather covered arm chair with an open
law book on his knee, and was calmly
f~aor MT oh
full fire burned in an open CRATE. He
looked the picture OF contentment. Ris-
ing as his visitor approached, he extend
ed his hand and inquired what he could
do, ard in the same breath asked his
caller to draw up a chair and take
cigar motioning to box which stood on
a table at his elbow The caller gladly
awaited himself of the suggestion and
was soon warming his shins before the
glowing CRATE and calmly putting at the
weed.
expressing regret that he could not
answer the telephone in person. 1.-THE
truth OF the matter is,' said Mr.. Davis
ST am afraid of them, and then also my
hearing is so defective that this method
of communication is practically a useless
one to me-
But why afraid of the telephone?"
asked the visitor curiously.
"Well, you see, many years ago, when
not much more than a boy. 1 earned my
bread as a telegraph operator. and dur
ing that time through defective insula-
ton 1 received several severe shocks,
which for the time being put me out.
Ever since have been afraid OF all sorts
Of electrical appliances, fearing to come
into close contact, well knowing from ex-
perience the force Of the hidden power"
John Gcodnow, consul general at
Shanghai China, in q report which has !
just been received, makes a suggestion in |
reference to the proper packing OF /
shipped from the United !
States to China. In substance Mr.. Good |
now says:
1.-THE trade in goods coming In small |
parcels by mail from the United States to !
and through this port has been rapidly |
increasing of late More care, however, |
must be taken in packing such goods |
In the last mail there was a large num- |
Der Of these packages sent as registered |
mail, ard in almost every instance they |
wsre received at this office broken. Most |
Of them were In paper boxes; some We're |
In wooden boxes. All such were broken. |
Shippers must remember that mail sacks |
are liable TO rough handling in being put |
into the hold of ships, and that much |
more care must be taken in wrapping |
gccds for China than for points in the |
United States.
in this mail I noted especially one |
shipment of eye glasses, packed In |
wooden box of fiimsy make. The box had !
the paper wrapping had brok |
Ell. and the glasses were scattered
through the bag. some being broken. The |
fault was entirely due to careless, slip
shod packing.
THE Chinese post will not take DAM
aged parcels for interior points. All we