The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-09-30
FLOUR CITY'S PRIZE
BELIEF is GENERAL THAT HENNIs-
PIN WILL GET DISTRICT
ATTORNEYSHIP
SITUATION FAvoRs STEELE
Senator'S Nelson and CInpp and Gov.
Van SAINT Believe 1t Will
Strengthen Party Where
1t Is Weak.

1t is claimed by those on the inside
and who ought to know, that Senators
Clapp and Nelson have practically set
tied the question of the successor to the
late District Attorney Robert G. Evans.
1t is to be Minneapolis man, with the
chances most favorable to Judge John
H. Steele, although Frank NJ. Nye is said
to have a chance for the place. When
the question of filling the vacancy caused
by Mr.. Evans death came up 1t was
agreed that it should not go to st. Paul
There was a general impression that both
senator's would prefer to give the appoints
ment to a man in the northern part Of
the state. Then the Southern Minnesota
Republicans began an aggressive cam
paign for First district man. The
French and Gray supporters became so
enthusiastic in their advocacy that they
were given a quiet tip that it would be
of no avail this time, but hopes were
held out that in the event of division
of Minnesota into two districts they
would have an attorneyShip. They were
also given to understand that this would
be in the immediate future.
There have been good reasons for be-
lieving that Minneapolis would land the
plum, as pointed cut heretofore in the
G o b e. In the first place Hennepin
county is somewhat shaky politically, and
thing must be done to clinch their
strength there. Gov Van SAINT has been
eagerly awaiting opportunity to do some
thing that would make him pat with the
Hennepin Republicans, and re-establish
him with the politicians who have been
knocking" since the new administration
began its labors He saw this oppor-
tunity when the death of Mr. Evans
threw an important Office into the polit-
ceedingly anxious that a Minneapolis man
get the place. Then again, Senator Clapp
has recognized that Hennepin county
was practically the one locality where he
was lacking strength. The defeat of Mr..
Evans for the senatorship had left
little soreness in the ranks, and the Min
neapolis papers were the only ones that
had anything unkind to say of the SEN
ator-elect Mr.. CIapp undoubtedly felt
that if the district attorneyship could
go to Minneapolis it would smooth over
any difficulty existing there which direct
ly affected him. With the governor urg-
ing the matter, and supported by the
fact that MIR. Evans was a Minneapolis
man, Senator Clapp. saw his way clear
to advocate a Minneapolis appointee.
Senator Nelson also has few enemies
in Hennepln to placate, and saw an Op-
portunity to make himself strong where
John Lind was developing popularity. So
he eagerly aSsented.
THESE ARE POSSIBILITIES.
Then the question as to who should be
named had to be considered. Many
names have been presented The most
prominent being Judge Steele, Frank
Nye, James A. Peterson, and NJ d. Pur-
dy, who is now acting as district attor-
ney. Mr.. Purdy, having served in the
office since the beginning of Mr.. Evans
term, and having been appointed by
Judge Lochren to continue the office until
a successor was chosen would naturally
have much in his favor. Senator Clapp
has spoken in high praise of Mr. Purdy's
ability and worth. But it was not thought
that Mr.. Purdy's appointment would
bring any particular strength to the par
ty in Hennepin county. This is against
him. Mr.. Peterson has some very ardent
friends, but also some very persistent
enemies.
The most likely man would be Judge
Steele. He has made many sacrifices
for the Republican party in Hennepin
county. The party has not done so well
by him. His defeat for district judge left
much bitterness. AS chairman Of the
state central committee in the campaign
of 1898 he was bitterly arraigned for the
Eustis defeat. Judge Steele is a power
in Hennepin county politics, and is well
liked by the rank and file of his party
there. His appointment at this time
would salve over many very sore spots
and no exceptions could be taken to it
either by the politicians or the public
He would fill the place very acceptabIy
and ably. At the present time Judge
Steele, of all Minneapolis candidates
seems most sure of winning out The
announcement of the appointment will De
made very soon now