The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-04

On the other hand, Mr.. Fletcher has
some advantages which his supporters are
not slow to proclaim. He has the money
with which to keep things moving until
election day. He has splendid organtza-
tion, and the prestige of long service. An
old resident of the town, he has a follow
ing among the older generation which in
turn has strong hold on it's sons. He
would lose many Scandinavian votes to
Lind, but on the other hand would, al
usual get certain element of democrats.
Some Of his strongest supporters, In past
years have been democrats. and from ths
Irish and German sections of the city his
vote has always been large as compared
with other republican candidates.
Two years ago, in a presidential year.
Mr. Fletcher carried the county by 10000.
The last off-year, running against T. J.
Cation, he carried it by a little less than
5000. In 1900 he got 1000 more votes in
the county than Governor Lind. In 1898
he got 1876 votes, while Governor Lind
got ,633. Many voted for both Of them.
The question is, with the two running
against each other, which one would get
these votes. . - -
James A. Peterson is an aggressive poll
tician with good record as county off,
cial and born in this country Of Nor
wegian parents. He has always kept In
close touch with his countrymen and
their Swedish cousins, and would hold
more of them away from Mr.. Lind than
either of the other candidates. His sup
porters reason that unless he is nominated
there will not be a Scandinavian on the
county ticket, and this will cause such
feeling among their people that most OF
| the vote will go to Lind. He would
| doubtless get nearly all the Norwegian
| vote, Including some democrats, but would
| have to divide the Swedish vote with Mr..
Lind. Mr.. Peterson has been long In pub
! lie life, and has a record that has made
| him both friends and enemies. He il
especially opposed by many business men,
! including a central committee organized
last winter to oppose the tax code, on ac-
count of his stand toward revision of the
| tax laws. 1t is believed that this support
would go to Lind rather than to Peter,
| son. He made friends by this Legislative
action, but they are not SO powerful as his
enemies. He has an effective organiza-
tion, but no money to speak Of. He is q
vigorous but not polished speaker.
Eugene G.. Hay is considered the ablest
speaker of the trio. Z He has already con-
Quoted several successful discussions Of
| the issues of the day. He is on the popu-
4 lar side of the tariff and reciprocity ques-
tions, is in accord with the administers
tion at Washington, favors an isthmian
canal, and his nomination would leave Mr..
Their views in some important particulars
are believed to be not very unlike.
He would, however, defend the prin-
ciples Of the republican party in an
J able manner, and be worthy match for
! for the former governor. He has no
legislative record to attack, and his only
) public service was creditable. He has
strength among the labor element, and
would hold the vote we'll in line with the
! exception of the Scandinavians. He would
have to make up the loss of many Scan
:: dinavian votes by inroads on the demo-
i Gratis. AS personal figure he is excel-
lent material for a candidate. He has
!, very little wherewithal for campaign exc
| penses, and would have to make per-
!. sonal campaign. His organization Il
( young but we'll planned and effective.
Between now and Sept. 16 the repub-
lican voters Of Hennepin county will weigh
all these facts. put the pros against
the cons, !" and make up their minds who
. is the best man of the trio to nominate
against John Lind -. -.