The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-17
MINNESOTA POLITICS

There is trouble brewing for the legislative
firm of Ferris. Barteau- & Co.-not financial
trouble but political. The trouble is among
the constituents of the gentlemen comprising
this firm Some of the plain, everyday Vot-
ers who helped elect them, but are not ac-
quainted with the ways of the capitol, do not
realize what an influence the firm has had on
legislation. Because Mr.. Ferris and Mr.. Bar
teau did not make speeches and get their
names in the paper the folks at home got an
idea that they did not count for much.
This is a great mistake as members of all
three houses know. This firm was a power
in legislation. The speeches were made by
the ''sent partners."5 Messrs. Ferris and
Barteau did their talking in the cloakrooms.
Their constituents did not hear the talk, and
only had their votes to judge by. According
to all reports, they are far from satished. The
Arm voted no, for instance, against the gross
earnings bill, the primary election bill, the
tax code and the jacobson bill. The impress
sion has got hold ct home, somehow that In
voting as they did, members OF the firm were
looking after their own interests rather than
speaking for the people who elected them
In order to continue as a firm, Messrs. Fer
ris, Barteau & Co. have to appeal to the peo-
pie this fall for another two years franchise.
They intend to do it, and even have ambitions
to branch out Mr.. Barteau intends to return
TO the house from the Zumbrota district of
Goodhue county, but Mr.. Ferris designs to
move across the hall and direct matters from
Senator Buckmans old chair With this end
In view he has made combination by which
he is to- receive the Buchanan influence in
Morrison county in return for the allegiance
of Grow Wing county to the senator's con-
eressional candidacy This is a powerful
combination, and it may win, but there are
signs that 1T will not land what 1t is after
without struggle. There is much dissatis-
faction right in Brainerd with the. record of
its representative, and Morrison county Ia up
in arms against him. If the opposition gets
out a good candidate against him and unites
| Ferris can be beaten. There Is talk of Z. F.
/ Alderman. a well-known and popular Brain
| erd attorney. --
| Down IN Goodhue county, the agricultural
| community that sent Mr. Barteau to the house
| cannot understand his zeal for corporations
railroad and otherwise. They would excuse
| one mistaken vote, but an unbroken record
| such as their representative made seems to
| require more than a passing remark. They
| really want to know. They even intimate
that no explanation he makes will go down,
| but that they want new face In the legsla-
ture in place of that worn by Mr.. Barteau.
| Incidentally it is understood that the Van
! SAINT opposition in Goodhue county is backing
Barteau. The county will be a great battle
| ground for the Beatwole interest has deter
mined to carry the delegation in the state
| convention. It will back Barteau, but from
| the expressions of sentiment heard from that
| section he will not be renomlnated. 1t is
| even said that Goodhue county will send an
entirely new delegation to the legislature
| next winter.
There are rumors indicating that the &C.,
| will also come in for share of retribution.
| This includes members like Albert Berg, A.
! B. Kelly, c. D. Allen, w. H. Noyes and W..
W. Rich, whose records have been pretty
closely followed at home. ..s--