The Minneapolis journal., 1901-04-13
TO Be WARM AGAIN
Republican Fight for a Judgeship in
the Yankton Circuit.
GAMBLE MAY SUPPORT DILLON
E1liott's Position Rather Hard to
Figure Out-Candidatea
Against Smith.
Special. to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Yankton, S. d., April 13-Active dis
cussiOn has begun all over the first cir
cult concerning the nomination for circuit
judge this fall. The fight for the repub-
lican nomination four years ago was an
ugly affair, but there We're then but two
candidates; Judge e. G. Smith, who was
seeking a second term, and W. E. Upton,
of Armour, who was encouraged by the
Johnson brothers. Upton was defeated
because Of contest instituted in his own
county by Smiths supporters but the bad
blood created by the fight came perilously
near electing Robert Trip, nephew Of
Judge Bartlett Trip.
The old fight seems likely to be re-
newed against Smith this fall, If the in
formation being quietly given out by his
enemies is not wholly unreliable. 1T is
well known that C. H. Dillon is an active
candidate for judge and the general opin-
lon is that he will have the powerful sup
port Of Senator Gamble. The law part
nership OF Gamble & Dillon was dissolved
after the former was chosen senator but
the close relations which have existed be-
tween the partners have not been modified
by the dissolution of business relations
On the other hand, the bitter feud which
has long existed between Smith. l.. B.
French and Ed Edgerton on one side and
Gable q Dillon on the other, has not in
any sense been healed. Both French and
Smith were opposed to CANDLES election
to the senate. The general belief is that
Gamble will not lose the opportunity af-
forded by the coming election to even up
with those in his own party who would
have sacrificed him if they could have
commanded the strength.
The forces of Dillon and Smith will be
very evenly divided in Yankton county.
Bets can be got on either man. 1t is
conceded that If Smith does not carry
Yankton county he is out Of the race at
the start. while Dillon might remain in
the race with hopes Of picking up dis
affected republicans from other counties
IN the circuit. Smith is a shrewd poll
tician and has strengthened himself with
the people during his second term having
given better attention to his work than
formerly. Bon Homme county, next to
Yankton, will be the scene Of the bitter
est light. Smith is related by marriage
to United States Attorney Elliott and has
always had his support. Elliott was like
wise strong supporter of Gamble in the
senatorial fight and has recently been re-
appointed with CANDLES Endorsement
What Elliotts attitude will be under the
circumstances is a subject Of speculation
Aside from Smith and Dillon, who are
conceded to be the leading candidates for
the Judgeship, there are three and possibly
four others. w. E. Upton. of Armour
Smiths opponent four years ago. is again
in the race. He has the prestige of re-
cent appointment by Governor Herreid as
member of the board of charities and
corrections. S. V. Jones of Turner county
who was defeated for attorney general IN
1896 by Colonel Grigsby, is an aspirant
for the position, likewise Charley Pratt
of Charles Mix county. These men will
probably carry their home delegations with
the possible exception Of Upton whose re-
cent appointment was not pleasing to Tom
Roberts and other leaders Of Douglas
county republican politics. II there is a
general scramble and dead lock in the
convention It is not improbable that
Colonel John L. Jolleyn of Yermillion may
be settled upon as compromise candi-
date. vt t..-
A discussion of the probable moves Of
the fusionists would be futile because they
are disorganized Their decentralization
since the last election has become acute
and the best posted leaders do not seem to
know what the future Of the late fusion
combination is to be. If the republicans
do not agree in their support Of a candi-
date the fusionists may try to take ad-
vantage of that fact to elect a candidate
At present they have few available men,
Charles J. Gunderson. of Vermillion, a
nephew of Ex-Governor Lee, being one of
the most likely young lawyers in their
party.