The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-17

there has never been the counterpart of
the contest now in progress Tor the sue
cession to the late Senator Davis. There
is consequently no precedent to draw
from or speculate upon, and all theory
and representations must be based on
/ main strength and awkwardness.
In all previous contests the question of
the senator. has been an element of the
canvass, and aspirants have begun
laying their wires from two to four
years in advance. or even six years-be-
ginning as soon as the dust had settled
from the last election. Senator Davis
death, after the election, changes all
this and makes a free field with an en-
tire unpledged legislature to work upon.
In the memorable contest between Sen
ator Sabin and Gen. Washburn both
candidates strained every nerve to Sc
cure the nomination of friends, and
when nominated both took care to aid
in securing their election. The result
was that each came into the legislature
with supporters bound to them, with
hooks of steel, or, possibly, ether kinds
of hooks That condition, too, prevent
ed a multiplicity of conditions. do not
recall any previous contest in the state
where there were more than two promi-
nent candidates at the outset. In 1853
it was Gov. Ramsey and Congressman
Cyrus, Aldrich. In 1866 1t was Window
and Wilkinson, with Dan Norton lead
ing a seemingly forlorn hope, though he
finally won. In 1869 it was Ramsey and
Wilkinson. In 1875 it was Senator Ram
sey and Gov. Davis, and so on. I mere
ly cite these things to enforce my point
that there is nothing but guesswork in
this campaign-even among the candi-
dates-and one mans guess is as good
as anothers, If not a little better.
The present contest might be termed
quadrilateral affair, assuming, at this
writing, that Tans Bixby is not in it,
There are 14O Republican members Of
the legislature, and none of the four
candidates would be foolish enough to
claim that he now has seventy-one votes
to give him the caucus nomination. Each
one hopes, of course, that, in addition to
what he really has, he will secure enough
from the others to give him the covet-
ed prize. But who IS going to desert and
go over to the enemy? That is the CO.
nundrum which the caucus Friday night
may or may not answer-moSt likely not.
1 called upon all of the candidates last
night at their respective headquarters,
and, as I expected, found all expressing
a serene degree of confidence. That was
right. A first-class political fight is much
to be desired, and it pleased me to see
their calm assurance. If you don't put
up a bold front in politics. you had bet
ter never enter a race, and this de-
gree of confidence is on what, in part,
base my guess that there will have been
no caucus nomination when the ballot
ing begins next Tuesday. If the candi-
dates can only impart the degree of con-
fdence they seem to possess to their re-
spective adherents, why should any de-
sert their first love and go into another
camp? I only asked two questions of
the candidates.
First-Do you favor a secret or roll
call vote at the caucus Friday night?
Second--Do you expect there will be a
nomination Friday night?
TALKS WITH THE CANDIDATES.
To my first question, Congressman
Tawney said: 1.-THE question of how t!ae
selection should be made in caucus is a
matter for the members of the legislature
and not the candidates to determine
To the second question he replied, 81
expect the caucus Friday night either
to make a nomination or give such indt-
cations as to lead to a final result be-
fore the balloting begins on Tuesday,
He added: 'I am a Republican and in
the canvass to win. want to win
honorably and if / cannot win that way
I do not want to win at ALL He said
with much satisfaction that he had the
twenty-one votes of the First district
solid for him and they had no second
choice.
Gen. Clapp was outspoken in favor Of
an open ballot. have been ready for a
in justice to Mr.. TawneY, who had been
called to Washington, that We should
not take any action until he returned.
AS to he second question he expressed
himself that the caucus would make a
nomination and was confident Of ultimate
success. He had come out as a candidate
in the open and felt that he had becn
ini CIV 1Ofb do cin
pecially SO during the last few days.
To be a United States senator was an
honor of which any man might be
proud and he expected TO win in u
straightforward, honorable way. He had
no criticism to make of his competitors,
but he believed he would distance them
in the race.
EVANS OUTSPOKEN, TOO.
Mr. Evans was equally outspoken with
Gen. Clapp in favor of an open vote. His
friends were not afraid to show their
colors, and he was not afraid to have
his strength developed in the caucus.
In response to the second question, he
said he expected there would be q nom
ination Friday night, and he had no mis-
givings as to the result. 1t was con-
test within the Republican ranks and
should be settled by the Republicans.
MR.. LOWRYS ANSWERS.
In response to my first question, after
an aside that he did not know what was
the custom Mr.. Lowry said it remind
ed him of Lincoln's story of the old
farmer in Illinois who was witness in
court, and when asked whether he would
swear or affirm, replied that "he didn't
care damn which" Whatever plan the
caucus adopted would be satisfactory to
him.
To the second question he said he was
very hopeful Of result Friday night,
and did not see why there should not
be one 1t was within their own political
family, and he thought they were abund-
antly able to determine 1t among them
selves.
A LITTLE HISTORY.
In the winter Of 1869 there was a bitter