The Minneapolis journal., 1901-08-31
MINNESOTA POLITICS

Congressional candidates refuse to take
the district attorneyship bait.
James A. Peterson was first heard from.
He put aside the proffered support of many
friends, declaring that the federal job had
no charms for him.
Now comes Halvor Steenerson. The Crooks
ton man was leading candidate for district
attorney when Robert G. Evans was chosen,
and it was thought he might still look with
longing eye toward the position. His ap-
pointment would clear the field in nice
shape for Senator Grindeland, whose friends
began to urge Steenerson Like Peterson he
put them aside, saying:
l have noticed some mention of my name
in connection with the district attorneyship,
to succeed Robert G. Evans, but 1 wish it
to be distinctly understood that I am not
candidate for this or any other appointive
office in the state Of Minnesota. I could not
take the place, were 1t offered me, without
seriously sacrificing my business. All talk
Of my name in this connection is idle. I
would like to suggest, however, that Senator
Grindeland, of Warren, is an ideal man for
the place.
1t is about time to hear from Edward T.
Young of Appleton.
1t is rumored that the Minnesota senators
may postpone settlement of the district at
torneyship until the expiration of the present
term, next May. NJ. D. Purdy has already
been named by the court as acting district
attorney, and if the senators failed to act,
it would leave Mr.. Purdy to fill the unex-
pired term. This would be a fitting acknowl-
edgement of his excellent work.
The pressure on both senators is so strong
however, that they will probably prefer to get
the question off their hands, once for ALL
The Winona Republican and Herald, edited
by former St. Paul newspaper man who
knows a thing two still about capital
city politics, takes a rap at the Sheehan
candidacy, and pulling aside the curtain
undertakes to tell some interesting inside
history OF the senatorial campaign last win
ter. 1t says editorially:
It will make those who know the inside
Of the senatorial contest last winter smile
to hear that Oar" Reese Fred Schiffman
and Eli Warner are urging Senator Sheehans
appointment on the ground that he was SEN
ator Clapps skilled lieutenant and respon-
s1ble more than any other man, for the lat
ters victory Everybody who knows any
thing about it knows that if Senator Clapp's
nomination had depended on a certain crowd
Of St Paul politicians. he never would have
been nominated. They didn't intend he
should be nominated, and their plans went all
wrong when he was nominated. But, not
having taken the public into their condolences
they were left in position to pose as shrewd
managers and to claim the honors OF hard
won fight. Only by combination of cir
not control did Senator Clapp escape the
'throwdown'' that would have made a mem
orable chapter in the history of Minnesota
politics
Three members Of the present legislature
have removed from the districts they repre-
sent, and in the opinion of most authorities
they are really ineligible to serve at the extra
session. Senator Ryder has moved from
Polk county back to St. Paul. Senators
Daugherty and Sheehan have not moved from
their respective cities, but are outside the
bounds of their senatorial districts.
The question that is troubling other mem
bers Of the legislature is, how shall their
seats be filled. Governor Van SAINT is not
justified in calling a special election unless