The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-12
QUARREL IN FAMILY
REPUBLICANS AT OUTS OVER THEIR
ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT OBJECT
OF PRIMARY LAW
IT CULMINATEs IN A SPLIT
Dunn Says Hard Things of Schffr-
mann, and Griggs Says Mr.
Dunn Does Not Tell
the Truth

G.. o. P. The black clouds which are
rolling up over the head of Representa-
tive w. w. Dunn had their inception in
what he says was a machine at
tempt to defeat the primary election law.
While the machine Republicans, sore
over the loss of their absolute control of
the local party through the primary law
were bowling ''WoH!' and accusing the
Democrats of every crime from subor-
nation of perjury to primary colonial
ton schemes, Mr. Schiffmann. former
ruler of the machine, who has taken on
the Doran crowd, and Mr. Griggs, of the
corporation attorneys office were fixing
up little bill to amend the pernicious
law which has robbed the old bosses of
their prestige anu pull. they gave the
bill to Representative w. W. Dunn, the
local Republican leader in the house.
He refused to introduce the bill and
though it was forced through the senate
by Senator Horton it was lost by default
In the house and the Republican press
jumped onto Dunn. He came right back
and again the Republicans have split
on their hands which may keep them so
fully occupied for several days that their
tales of a demoralized Democracy may be
expected to be conspicuous by their abb
Sence. Mr.. Dunn claims the bill given
MN by Griggs and Schiffmann would re-
suit in permitting the colonizatiOns which
they pretended they wished to defeat, as
it would have dispensed with the formal
lty of registration at the primary cleo
tons and thrown tnem wide open. Mr.
Dunn was quoted by Republican paper
yesterday as follows:
Dunn Talks Out.
''The effect Of this voting without regis
tering would have been to allow any
amount of colonization and all the evils
# TNrit11 1lrxy oil ton
system.
1T would have SO far discredited the
primary election law as to aid its enc
mics in forcing its repeal. That was The
purpose, without doubt of the amend
ment which was attempted in the clos
ing hours and the rush of the last day.
Fred Schifmann and Assistant City
Attorney Frank II. Griggs came to me
three days ago with the bill that was
afterwards introduced in the senate by
Horton. But the only change that the
amendment made was to require thirty
days residence before voting at the pri-
mary.
They told me they wanted the bill
passed to prevent one faction of the
Democrats from colonizing voters in the
Fourth ana Eighth wards, and said
whole lot of that was being done.
Il reminded Griggs that he had given
an opinion ten days before that the pres
ent law would require thirty days resi-
dence, but he said that was all for
bluff.
Il then told them I would think it over
and give them an answer next day. When
they came around next day | told them
that [ could see no immediate pressing
necessity for the amendment. I also told
them that a number of friends of the
primary law had agreed at the begin
ming of the session not to permit any
amendments until the regular session. so
as to give the law fair trial both In
the spring and fall and unless there
should be some real need of amendment
at once. That was the last | heard Of
this bill until it was sent in from the
senate and l got it at once.
Il found at once that the copy that
mad been shown to me was mutilated by
striking out all reference to the registra-
ton, SO that it would not be necessary
to register in order to vote at the pri-
mary.
IT believe that man schifrmann put up
that job with the deliberate purpose Of
killing the law. He has been the enemy
of it all along, and has said so openly
only a few days ago"
schiffmann Says "Bah."
Schiffmann last night positively refused
10 discuss in any manner the merits of
the case or to deny or affirm the charges
ascrlbed to MI Dunn. After reading the
statements ascribed to Dunn, Schiffmann
emitted a long-drawn ''B-a-a-h," and said.
I'm any controversy that might arise
between Representative Dunn and my
Republicans to decide between us who
is right and who is wrong, and I will
abide by the verdict" He declined to
answer any questions touching the truth
of the charges made by Dunn as to his
antagonism to the primary law or to dis
cuss the provisions of the bill which Dunn
refused to introduce
GFiggs Makes a Denial.
with reference to Mr. Dunn's state
ment that said my opinion on the resi-
dence question was only a bluff said
Assistant Corporation Attorney Griggs
last night, that is far from being the
truth. l said the law requires a thirty
day residence in the ward before ar
son can vote at a primary election, -nd
/ still contend such is necessary. How
ever, to make the whole thing plain, I
drafted an amendment to the law more
clearly making thirty days a residence
requirement. 1t was approved by my
chief, Mr.. Markham, and after it had re-
ceived his scrutiny 1 showed it and ex-
planned the measure to Gov Van SAINT.
who gave it his official sanction, so that
it could be introduced in the house Mr..
Dunn was intrusted with the bill, but
he never presented it.
After waiting twenty-four hours I
asked him his reason for refusing to
place it on the calendar; but he could
give none, except that he understood me
to say the law already demanded thirty
days residence, and he did not want to
burden the measure with amendments.
1 again took it to Gov Van SAINT and
secured his permission to introduce it in
the senate. Senator Horton here took
charge Of it, and what became of it
after that 1 don't know. If it was
changed in wording or phraseology ]
have nc knowledge of the fact. 1 simply
did what I thought was my duty. The
bill was all right when it left my hands,
and if passed, would have greatly simpli-
fed matters.
"In explaining to Mr.. Dunn my reason
for desiring its passage, I said I felt
sure the thirty-days' residence provis-
ion had a place in the law as it now
stands, but other attorneys seemed to
have a different opinion, and in order
that there might be no mistake, it would
he best to have it there in plain words
1 still believe thirty days esidence is
necessary, and have never said anything
to contradict it. And what is more. 1
never said the whole thing was a bluff. :
NsAsEkfA RETAH ran AHEa~lA