The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-18
Cr'ist Of the
Political Mill

Ways and means for the return Of
the Fifth congressional district to the
Republican fold next year are the sub
Jects of many animated and altogether
earnest discussions not alone among
the Hennepin politicians, but by Re-
publicans throughout the state.
- q
In many quarters it is the consensus
That Your Uncle" Loren Fletcher is the
proper person to again lock horns with
congressman Lind and in quite as many
IactlonaI StrOngholds the verdict is
unanimously in favor Of putting Fetch
er on the shelf permanently. Fletcher
seems entirely agreed with the fellows
who believe he should have the honor
of another tusseI with the doughty
Lind and incidentally seems disposed
to settle the question of federal pat
ronage distribution in Hennepin coun-
ty by volunteering to do the work him
self.
1t is probable that Fletcher would be
more anxious to return to the congress
s1onal battle ground if the report that
LIND Will not try for a second term
could be substantiated. But with Lind
out of the way the situation would not
be particularly rosy for Fletcher.
James A. Peterson has not entirely re-
nounced his congressional ambitions
and will, if he enters a second race,
have a backing any Republican would
be proud of and mighty anxious to Sc
cure.
1t Is not known that Senator Nelson
is especially hostile to Fletcher. But
there are not many Minneapolis poll
ticians of note who stand high in the
estimation Of the senior senator and il
would be not at all surprising if he
were not enthusiastic about Fletcher
On the other hand, Peterson is one Of
the happy few Minneapolitans who en-
joy the admiration Of Nelson and Nell
sons friendship not infrequently means
the most valuable assistance in times
Of dire need. Nelson's closest friends
are casually remarking that Peterson
is a good man, a strong man and just
the man for a congressional candidate.
q q
In the meantime Fletcher is saving
wood in manner calculated at least
to attract attention. A few weeks ago
the question Of who should distribute
Republican plums in Hennepin county
during Congressman Lind's incumben-
cy excited not a little discussion.
Fletcher has ended the discussion by
attending to the business himself He
spent several weeks in Washington
rustling in the departments and acting
generally like the man who purposes
to be considered ctr by the boys doing
the work at home.
q q
The Lake Crystal Union is still
well within the McCleary block house
or else it has joined the boosters who
believe there is a chance of Earring the
little schoolmaster out of the house Of
representatives by sending him on
wild goose chase for something bigger.
1t says:
.,.,t "'Some of the Second district papers
are talking Congressman McCleary for
governor. He should go to the SEN
ate, and if we had our way about 1t
there is where he would land"
The latest reports from the Pacific
coast indicate Mr.. McCleary is very
well satisfied with 3 his , house job
Spring Valley Sun: Gov. Van SAINT
has been mentioned as a running mate
with Roosevelt; to succeed Senator
TaWney to represent the first district
in congress, and now we learn he is
to be appointed member of the in
terstate commerce committee. Mr.
Van SAINT to be sure of a good thing
should accept the appointment p"
Perhaps he wouldn't If he bad the
chance at the right time
5s4@s q q
RI Moses E. Clapp will have the fight
of his life to land the senatorial plum,
for there are others who think they
are part of the heese."-Pease. in
AnOka Union.
All over the state there are numbers
Of well informed men who are ready
to contend that Pease's guess is sadly
off color. They argue. and with ample
reason for their assurance. that Clapp
will be reelected in walk.
George A. VanSmith.