The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-11
MAI OUT OF A JOB
Alex Mckenzie Is Backing Him
This Time.
AND MR.. HILL IS NOT SO BITTER
Improved Chances of Landing-How
the Merger Fight May Help
the Editor.

Special to The Journal.
Fargo, N. D., Feb. 11.--Major A. w. Ed
wards OF the Fargo Forum is in Washing
ton with. Alexander Mckenzie national
committeeman on political mission.
North Dakota politicians assert that the
major is Shocking for place under the
Roosevelt administration: The press of
the state shows great interest in the
majors Washington trip and is speculat-
ing on the result.
Major Edwards has visited Washington
several times in quest OF a federal APP
pointment but this is the first time he
has gone there without the active oppo-
sition Of Jas. ]. Hill, and for that reason
better results are expected He was in
Washington at. the time of Mckinley $
first inauguration as candidate for as
slstant secretary of war, or sonnet hing
equally as good' He failed to score and
his own poor success as Well as the fail
ure Of his partner, H. G. zPlumley candi-
date for the Fargo postoffice. was credited
tolJas. j. Hill. Plumley is a great ia
vorite among the newspaper men of the
state and all were anxious to see him APP
pointed.
While the friendly attitude of Major Ed
wards and the Forum toward the merger
has resulted in no reconciliation between
Hill and Major Edwards, 1t is believed to
have done away with much Of the opposi-
tion to Edwards and the Forum on the
part of the Great Northern. When Alex
Mckenzie arranged his, very clever COM
promise on Cass county federal appoint
ments he was able to reserve the Fargo
postof1ce for Mr.. Plumley. If the latter
fails to land this time, it will not be on
account Of President Hills opposition
Edwards is scanning the official list at
Washington with the assurance of sup
port from Mckenzie.
The fight between Hill and Edwards
over the Fargo Argus in early days is said
to have become so personally bitter that
no reconciliation between the two can be
expected. It is related that when Presi-
dent Hill was informed that the majors
paper was friendly to the merger, he gave
his auditors to understan that it made no
difference in his feeligns toward Edwards.
On the other hand, Edwards has said that
he still disagrees with Hills ideas of
running a railroad, but that the merger
will result in extensions by other roads in
the st ate, and as long as rates are reduced
the people. do not care who owns the
stock. Alex Mckenzie is understood to
have the complete confidence Of President
Hill in all matters concerning North Da-
kota; and it is Alexis opinion that some
thing is due the major for his efforts of
many years in behalf of the republican
cause. Consequently the Hill shadow no
longer hangs over the majors prospects.
The impression is growing among local
politicians that the influence Of the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific roads will
be exerted more than usual in the COM
ing campaign. The organization which
the railroad Representatives are preparing
indicates that the sheep and the goats
are to- be separated early in the fight and
the men who train with this organization
must be fright. Mckenzie did clever
work in the last senatorial fight, and with
the influence Of both roads at his back he
is considerde better armed than during
any campaign or senatorial fight in the
history of the, state.