The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-04
LOSE FAITH IN Van SAINT
FUL THAT LIND WILL
BEAT HIM
CLAPP's STRENGTH HERE
Ramsey County May Prove
Troublesome Factor for the
Van SAINT Men to Deal
with.

There is growing sentiment in the re
publican party that Van Sant cannot De
| elected if nominated. While the Repub-
licans who are pinning their faith TO
Clapp are apparently in the minority, this
feeling among old-time Republicans is
more real than apparent. To aIl outward
appearances Van SAINT has had things all
his own way, and with no aggressive
candidate in the field, with the convention
but little more than three weeks off, in
the common order of events he would
have a walkaway A prominent Repub-
lican told a G. o b e man last evening
that many prominent party men did not
consider Van SAINT the nan to make the
fight this fall. Gov. Lind's excellent rec
ord, and his popularity in the state, have
set the wiseacres of the party thinking.
And many of them have been thinking
that Van SAINT cannot be elected. The
Winona mans persistent campaign, far
in advance of the convention, has given
him hold that practically puts the party
in the position of being tied up to the man
from down the river.
In case Gen. Clapp does announce his
candidacy it will be a war to the knife be
tween the henchmen Of Oar Reese and the
former attorney general. There is no love
wasted between these two elements, and
it is considered doubtful if Oar will be
able to deliver Ramsey for Van SAINT,
or even a part of ii if Gen. Clapp allows
his name to come before the convention.
1t would not be regarded as surprising
ciH al WiTh tho
promise Of a fat federal appointment, or
even United States senator, that the party
might be foot-loose to go ahead and nom
mate a man that it believed could win.
=
Judge Mills has been talked of for the
Republican nomination Of railroad com
missioner, and the agitation has stirred
up no little opposition. IT IS claimed that
Judge Mills reelection would mean the
return Of the Clausen- Minis c5mbinat!oG
which would be distasteful even to many
Republicans.
Capt c. c. Whitney, state printer, had
a novel experience on the street car
few days after election. a man in fire
mans clothes touched him Oh the arm
and said Excuse me, Mr.. Bstz,. I don't
know you, but I want TO become acqua.nt-
ed with you That picture Of you in the
paper LIS iiOIIiiIS was me, ct14N L liili@L
congratulate you" Capt. Whitney smiied
grasped The mans hand just as he did
when he was running for Office, and said:
Il am glad you like it." Yes" continued
his new-rade friend, IWant to tell you
conlidentiany, OF course -ne don't say
much, but nearly all the liremen voted
for you" Here the two alighted from
the car. and Capt Whitney, not wanting
to blight the enthusiasm of Mr.. Betzs
admirer, said nothing, but expected to
shake his new acquaintance. But as ne
turned down Fifth street the man in the
blue clothes followed, and informed h m
that he was going that way too OF
course the captain can't walk a block
without meeting a few acquaintances, AMI
the first man passing called him by namo.
The fireman looked astonished, and very
nearly caDitulated when explanations
were made.
Considering the contingency that NJ
ToTne is not nominated by the Demo-
Gratis at Kansas City it is regarded as
pTobabie that he viii make the congress
sional fight in the Sixth district against
Page Morris again. 1t is urged that III
party needs strong men on the floor @ the
house, and HIr Towne mas given it GU
himself that he will not stand in the way
OF any plan that viii reconcile all fec.
tions of the party, ',
One man in the Sixth district is hold
ing his breath waiting for new deveI2p-
nents in the congressional situation in
the Sixth district And that man is 4
II. Austin, who is d Congress 'onaI
''Rarkis."