The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-11
MINNESOTA POLITICS

What is the NOrmanna Republican League
up to? $500
Some of its members declare that 1t Is an
anti-Van SAINT organization. Others deny this
and say it is only organized to do effective
campaign work among the Norwegian voters.
There is no question that the league intends
to take hand in nominations. The annual
meeting, or biennial meeting, is to be held
the day before the republican state conven-
ton, and at that meeting candidates for
places on the state ticket may be Endorsed.
The league is in it's infancy, and may not
hold such meeting this year, but its in
fuence will be felt, nevertheless. Many of
the Norwegians feel that they were not
property treated by the state administration
in the matter of appointments. This is really
the origin OF the league. In the address is
sued at the time of organizing, it was stated
that its purpose was to restore the slost
prestige" of Norwegians in republican poll
tics.
Sam Langum Of Preston, one of the chief
insurgents, is president Of the league. Henry
Gjertsen, the vice president, is on the staff
of Governor Van SAINT, and Bernard Hage
who Is the Hennepin member of the execu-
tive committee, is also one of the governor
uniformed following. C. H. Biorn, a st. Paul
attorney, is secretary.
The governor has many friends in the or
ganization, and as a body it will not work
against him. Now that his denomination is
assured the league will doubtless get down
to basis of campaign work, and trust to
the governors gratitude for recognition when
he is reelected.
All the candidates for state auditor have
friends in the league, and it is not likely
that any one of them will be Endorsed.
The organization was effected during the
extra session, and number Of legislators are
in its ranks, including Representatives S. D..
Peterson, James A. Larson, H. o. Haug1and,
j. T. Lommen, r. r.. Ofsthun and Thomas
Torson, and Senators Knatvold, Roverud and
Sweningsen.
There will be a battle royal in the Todd
Wadena Hubbard legislative district this fall.
j. D. Jones has determined to be candidate
for denomination, his health. being improved.
There was conference In Wadena Monday
between Senator JONES' w. E. Lee Of the
board of control, his business partner, Sen
ator Buchanan, and the two house members,
Messrs. Babcock and O'Nel. It was then
and there agreed that Jones should run for
the senate, and Babceck and O'Nel for the
house. 1t will be combination all down
the line. & .s.ys: 80.
The "outs" are putting up rival COM
bination, opposing each Of the .ins" with a
man from his own town. Captain E. B.
Wood Of Long Prairie will run for the SEN
ate against Jones', Colonel G. A. Whitney Of
Wadena will oppose Babcock for the house,
and Ed Hines of Park Rapids is understood
to- be the house candidate against J. H.
O'Neil All the places are voted upon at
large, which makes the free-for-all still more
interesting.
G. d. Belden Of the Austin Transcript is
getting all sorts of fattering mention for
the senatorship from Mower county. Sam
Sweningsen, who runs the newspaper over
the way, joins in the chorus. and approves
Of Belden as a successor.
Charles B. Cheney