The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-06-20
Crist Of the
Political Mill

Political tongues are busy discussing
succession to place on the federal
bench not yet vacant. The i'll health
OF Judge Lochren is considered by
many Of the faithful as a sure indica-
ton that he will very soon retire from
the bench, leaving a fat plum at the
disposal OF Senator Nelson, if the pres
1dent does not decide to dispose of the
matter without senatorial advice.
q q
Several Hennepin lawyers and two
of the district judges-Elliott and
Brooks-are mentioned as possible
candidates for the federal bench in the
event of Lochrens retirement, and in
some circles 1t is assumed as a matter
OF course that the appointment will go
to Minneapolis Others are inclined to
think that neither Minneapolis nor ST.
Paul will land the place.
Senator Nelson has not talked about
the matter so far as known and it is
quite probable that he has given any
more than passing thought to q con-
urgency that may not arise for a long
time. despite the fears or hopes Of the
practical politicians. Men who know
Senator Nelson well, while not pre-
tending to speak for him or as basing
their opinions on any infornfat ton fe-f
ceived directly or indirectly from the
senior senator, think Minneapolis with,
have hard time landing the place
should Judge Lochren retire:~~ftV is a
notorious fact that Nelson is nQts great
ly infatuated with the Hennepin co1n-
ty politicians who have fine knack Of
d1sagreeing when unanimity Of purpose
is necessary. They can lose too many
fights to be particularly strong in the
affections Of the gentlemen from Alex
andria, who believes the only kind Of
fight is the winning kind.
. o
These men say st. Paul stands no
better show Of landing the place than
Minneapolis. The friends of Judge
Hascal r. Brill, who tried to land for
him the place on the federal bench
given Congressman Page Morris, are
ready to go behind the st. Paul jurist
again and enlist the aid of the bar as
sociations. Nelson's friends say this
will be a futile effort if the appoint
ment rests with the senior senator and
president will not persist in a policy Of
ignoring the Minnesota senators.
q .
These men say Nelson is sore about
the candidacy of Brill last winter. This
does not imply that Nelson is dis
gruntled with Brill, but that he is
wroth about what he considers the ami
mus of the men behind Brill. Accord
ing to these same authorities Nelson
wants Clapp reelected; that he con-
siders the Brill movement last winter
was made for the purpose of embar-
RAISING the st. Paul senator, and that
Brill would not be considered by Nell
son if st. Paul were eligible to a place
on the bench.
Not a few are strongly inclined to
the belief that if the vacancy occurs
soon, the place will be offered to Judge
Collins, Of the supreme bench. This
would not only give the cities out of
the reckonirs: and give the place to
Nelson's immediate bailiwick, but
would be considered a recognition Of
the country. Incidentally, it might be
recognition of a debt of gratitude real
or fancied.
There are many Well-infOrmed Re-
publicans who think Nelson has a right
to be grateful to Collins for refusing
appointment to the senate three years
insist that Lind offered the appoint
ment to Collins with the sole idea Of
beating Nelson and that if Collins had
accepted the Alexandria man must
have tasted defeat six weeks later.
q q
Congressman Stevens works away in
the departments at Washington with
the air Of a man who expects to be his
own successor.
q q
Bert Oakley Of Wright county, nam
ed by Congressman Buchanan as re-
ceiver of the Cass Lake land office, was
in st. Paul yesterday. Neither Oakley
nor Jones, named for register, is wor-
ried about the attempt to move the
office to Bemidji and both have made
preparations to commence business at
the new stand June 80.
George A. VanSmith.@