The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-08-22
To Thomas II. Shevlin's Interview
on Primary Election Law.
SAYS IT sAvoRs OF BosslsM
Three Meetings in Interests OF Res
pective Congressional Candt.
dates This Evening.

Hennepin county politicians are alb
sorbed in the great three corRered race
for the republican congressional nomina-
ton, which is one of the hottest ever
pulled off, in the state. The three can
didates, who are practically their own
managers, are spending their days in or
gan1zation and hand shaking, and their
evenings in making speeches, and have
every section Of the city stirred up. To-
night all three will be in the southern
wards, each holding meeting in his
own interest. Eugene Hay will address
a meeting in the Seventh Ward wigWam
on Lake street, near Bloomington. James
A. Peterson will talk to sixth ward voters
in DANA hall, and Loren Fletcher will
speak at Berglund's hall in the eleventh
ward. There will be great rivalry to see
which can muster the largest following.
Last evening Eugene G.. Hay paid his
attention to. recent interview with
Thomas H. Shevlin, national committee
man for Minnesota. In this interview MI.
porters of Congressman Fletcher, con-
demned the primary law because it de-
stroyed party unity and engendered BIT
| terness between candidates.. Mr.. Hay
spoke before the Scandal Republican Club
of the Fourth Ward, at 1881 Western ave.
nue.. In opening his speech he said:
When entered upon this campaign l took
stock of my personal feelings and came to the
conclusion that 1 had good nature enough
to last me through the contest for the nomi-
| nation. 1 still think so and am prepared
| to say that no bitter feelings will actuate me,
and that will gladly do all in my power to
| help elect the successful republican candi-
| date, whoever he may be- So far as I know,
no personalities have entered into this cam
| paign. ,--. ,.e.>
Mr.. Hay then read the Shevlin inter-
view and commented as follows: :.
A Possible Explanation.
1t has been understood that Mr.. sheyln is
| one of the managers; il not the manager, OF
| Congressman Fletcher's campaign. And !
| have heard it intimated that in giving out his
| interview relative to the alleged disfuptine
| influence of the primary election law and its
| consequent dangers. to the republican party
| Mr.. Shevlin was sending out for Mr.. Fletcher
| a last wall of despair. 1t is possible that
Mr.. Shevlin's dislike for the primary cleo.
| ton law grows out of the fact that under
its workings the great mass of the voters
the silent vote,-which could take no par:
or interest in the selection of candidates un
| der the caucus system, Is now, deciding WHIT
| shall run for Office on the republican ticket
and that he has discovered that the drift O
public sentiment is such that this vote will
not be cast for his candidate for congress
| The primary election law is not yet perfect
it, but it is a great Improvement over tn
old system of caucuses and packed conven
tons and you will never return to tina
old system. +. .
Mr.. Shevlin processes to fear that the lay
will ruin the republican party There is n
danger of that But, if the republican part
of Minnesota over goes to pieces, it will b
upon the rock of bossism, the same roc
upon which the party in other states ha
split. Bossism is the result Of men who ar
intrusted with the management Of part
u affairs, such as members Of the state an
!, national committee, undertaking: to :dictat
who shall be the rartys nominees instead {
waiting Until the people shall select tn
candidate, and then performing their part
duty in helping to elect him. Mr.. Shevlin
now the member of the republican nations
committee from his state, and he is seekin
through his position to dictate to the part
in this district it's congressional candidate.
Mr. Hay then read the subsequent inter
, view with Mr.. 'Shevlin, In which he sal
. that Mr.. Fletcher's nomination was Ger
tainty, and suggested that Mr.. Shevli
, had probably been advised by Mr.. Flet
cher's more astute friends that his In
terview relative to the primary electio
: would be hurtful to Mr.. Fletcher. Hence,
said Mr.. Hay, she gave out this secon
interview, which sounds very much Xix
! the boy who whistles to keep up his -cour
! age when going through graveyard"
-" John Lind Files.
: John Lind made his formal entry as
: democratic candidate yesterday Afternoon
He appeared at the office of the count
auditor and filed his amdavit, and hi
name will go on the democratic primar
oil ho1 Ut