The Minneapolis journal., 1902-06-14
MINNESOTA POLITICS

"Governor Lind was absolutely within the
truth when he told you that he had not given
consent in any way to the, use of his name
as candidate" said prominent democrat
yesterday. Neither to Mr. Rosing or to any
one else has, he granted a word Of encour-
agement. Rosing's confidence is, as you say,
born Of past experience. He does not be-
lieye that Lind will throw us down when
we have once nominated him. We think he
ought to run. and have told him SO: Now
we are Ignoring him. AS one of the country
members Of the state committee said: He
fore it is made AS a, matter of fact, the
leaders of the party coIlds not stop the con-
vention if they wanted TO-, and they don't
want to. Mr. Lind will be nominated, and
it will be time enough then to ask him
whether he will accept: 80 ~
This represents the attitude of democratic
leaders, What of Mr.. 'Linds attitude?
r Beyond a doubt he is ayerse to running
Neither does he share the opinion of his
friends that he is under obligations to run.
1t is not. necessary. to his political future
that he be candidate this year. In the
present state Of public opinion it might be
disastrous. 'a
Sentiment in Minnesota is strongly against
trusts and combinations Of capital. This
feeling exists regardless of party lines, and
Governor Van SAINT is commended by demo-
Gratis and populists as we'll as by republi=
cans in his course Governor Lind does not
share this feeling. He has expressed himself
in an interview as believing that .'the North
ern Securities company has come to stay, .
and privately e~has stated his belief that
the merger is only a natural outgrowth OF
modern industrial conditions. The law pro-
hibiting consultations of parallel and ocm-
>peting lines he looks upon as somewhat OBJ
solete. %-
Mr.. Lind liable to the charge of being the
merger candidate" which would in itself
be heavy handicap, not to be counterbal-
anced by a heavy campaign contribution. The
democratic party, moreover, is likely to put
an antitrust and antimsrger plant in it's plat
form, and on such platform Mr.. Lind could
hardly accept the nomination. The populists
in their convention a week later would de-
mand of Mr.. Lind before indorsing his can
didacy a statement as to his position on the
question. They would hardly indorse mai
committed to railroad consolidation
Three times Governor Lind has declined tc
be candidate and three times he has
yielded. . Again he has refused, and the
original thing to do now would be to decline
the nomination after tits made. He could
do so with a good grace, for he has givet
his fellow democrats plenty of notice. HI
has told them not to nominate him, for he
WOulu not accept. lucy CoulQ hardly T6SeQl
his refusal under such conditions.
| These are political reasons Beyond them
| and doubtless more important, are persona
and business reasons which disincline thu
chosen leader to enter the arena again. He
may yield, and his more sanguine part,
associates think he will, but the above are
| reasons sufficient to justify his refusal.
| One week from to-day the democratic
| county convention will be held, and June q
| fba fo+o fior, will
ton as far as it can.N The other party to tn.
contract, Mr. Lind himself, will make knowr
| his decision later.
One of the funniest stories yet is the seria
running In the Globe political column, OF
Hennepin county politics Its latest develop
| ment is game by which the state admins
tration is to deliver the Hennepin delegation
| to Halden.
Senator Stoekweli is back from call OF
his old friend Tom Johnson, whose praises h,
is singing. It is said the senator has some
what changed his mind, and is half inclined
| to run again.
| The people of the East Side will be glat
to know that George NJ. Gillette has con
sented to become candidate for the legisla
| ture from the Thirty -ninth district. Mr.. Gil
| lette has been urged for some time to b.
| a candidate for the legislature, but has onl,
1 to-day agreed to run for a seat in the house
He is man of extensive business expert
| ence, and successful, and will undoubtedl,
| receive hearty support throughout the dis
| trict. That district Is usually relied upol
| to send good men to the legislature. and tn
| announcement Of Mr.. Gillette's candidacy i
promise that the standard will be main
tained in this instance.
l q StnorIn D <vl