The Minneapolis journal., 1902-11-28
Babcock Will Ask: "Do You Want
Me Out Of the speakership
+ r. .@-5 Fight 2"
Until Van SAINT Declares Himself,
Babcock Will Not Agree
to a Caucus.
Friends of Babcock Now Admit That
It Looks Dark for -.
Him.

DR.. ,Babcock Is sparrlng for wind. The
Minnesota speakership fight Is going
against him and his only hope Is in delay
He refuses to agree to caucus either
assembled in st. Paul or voted by mail,
until the return Of Governor Van SAINT. He
wrote to his opponent, Lawrence H. john
son, this afternoon stating that he would
not agree to a caucus until he had personal
communication with Governor Van SAINT.
He would ask the governor plainly: DO
you want me to withdraw from the speak
ership fight?" .--.
If the governor replied that he did, then
DR.. Babcock would insist on his reasons.
Until the governor declared himself and
gave his reasons for it, he would not
agree to a caucus. ". ~
Governor Van SAINT will be in ST. Paul
next Tuesday, and during the day will
probably hear a good many things. 1t is
believed that he will frankly answer DR..
Babcock's query and give sufficient rea-
sons for his feeling.
Friends of DR.. Babcock admit that the
situation looks bads for him and that
Johnson is in the lead
At Johnson headquarters. they claim to
have assurances Of support from e6 men,
bers-elect. They are divided by districts
as follows: First, nine; second, seven:
third, four; fourth, four; fifth, twelve;
sixth, six; seventh, eleven; eighth, five;
ninth, eight. Johnson's friends claim a
recent gain Of one man in the first, who
was not counted on but has come in line
for Johnson. A gain is also claimed in
the eighth, in T. G. Mclean, of Anoka,
who has agreed to vote for Johnson and
leave BabcOck.
On the other hand, DR.. Babcock to-day
exhibited pledges from the four Duluth
members and DR.. Budd of Two Harbors,
which he secured by personal visit yes
terday. Three Of these had declared
themselves with the administration and
against Babcock, but there were power
full interests at Duluth in favor Of Bah
cock, too strong to be overcome. and Bah
cock has apparently turned them. This
leaves three Johnson votes in the eighth
district. - ",~... &...:..' :. ? ..s-- =. -
/. A more conservative estimate gives
Johnson 81 votes, as follows: First dis
trict s, second 7, third 4, fourth and fifth
L.. sixth S. seventh IL, eighth 8, ninth L
The Rabeock men do not claim anything
definitely, but still say they will VIM
They concede Johnson A votes, Within tt3s
of enough to elect. 49,. =. .:.r- : - -
+. The line last taken by the Babcock men
is an, effort to- lineup Senator Glapp's
friends, OH the ground that the administra-
tion fight is. hostile to Clapp and in the
interests Of Van SAINT for the senate. This
argument does not go very far, in view Of
the fact that Joel Heatwole is one of
Babcock's most powerful hackers, and in
view Of HeatWoles generally understood
ambition to succeed Clapp.
Very few members We're in town to-day.
DR.. "A. D. Larson of Herman, one of the
seventh district members claimed by Bab-
cock, was in Johnson's headquarters and
declared himself for the Hennepin man.
Headquarters were kept open but the two
forces are playing an open game now,
scattered all over the state. No important
developments are expected now until Gov
ernor Van SAINTS return. The Johnson
men say that if DR.. Babcock really want
ed to find Governor Van SAINTS mind, he
could wire him at Battle Creek. His de-
lay only indicates that he realizes his
present weakness and hopes to recoup his
forces in the days intervening.
The Johnson men fear nothing so much
as delay. They say they have the votes
if they will only stick.