The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-03
MINNESOTA POLITICS

There is said to be considerable senti-
ment, especially in the first district, favor
ing a third term for Governor Van SAINT.
The following from the Albert Lea Tribune
SHOWS the grounds ON which this is based:
from the manner in which a few one horse
pont1cians that hibernate in Washington part
OF the year express themselves, one would be led
to suppose that all the important Offices of this
state would be parceled out by them as they
saw ut. and the people would simply jump to do
their bidding. The latest slate includes r.. C.
Dunn--a J. J. Fill man--for governor two years
hence; Thomas Lowry-a Thomas Lowry man
tor United States senator to succeed Mr.. Clapp
j. J. Hill man, and any fat old place for the
Northtield boanerges 1t will be remembered
that these same statesmen made slate early
last summer that did not have upon it the name
of Samuel r. Van SAINT, and two of the most
rabid Hill men came rushing home from their
duties outside the state to settle the guberna-
people OF the state they went scurrying back to
their work and the Winona man was triumphant
~ renominated and reelected. The schemers
should think once or twice what they are at
tempting. or Governor Van SAINT will be required
for third term and the people could have no
better or cleaner champion.
The time hasslong passed when few fellows
can put their heads together a thousand miles
away from the state and dictate who shall hold
this or that office and have their decision rati-
fed, unless they espouse the cause of the people.
The great majority received by Governor Van
SAINT is no indication that the people of the
state would vote as solidly for any candidate
the publicans nominate even in a presidential
campaign, with leader like Theodore Roose-
velt They want men Of honor and principle,
and unless they nominated there will be
something doing that will be interesting.
This is an independent expression, and
is probably not encouraged, by the gov
ernor or any one close to him, as it is
well understood that he does not desire a
third term No one doubts that he will be
active in politics still. He has not been
overly popular either with the last legisla-
ture or the present one, but the campaign
last year showed that he had the people
Of the state with him. He@wil be a
power in state politics next year. and will
be an important factor in naming the gov
ernOr
1t is too early for the administration
hand to be shown in the naming of the
next governor. A year ago it seemed GER
by the Van SAINT people for the governors
successor Dunn kept out Of the way
then for Van SAINT, and up to that time
had been an ally. He did not oppose Van
SAINTS nomination, but did declare square
ly against him on the main issue Of the
campaign, and he has not been forgiven
for this. 1t now appears that whether he
courts it or not, Dunn is to have the sup
port Of Heatwole and the rest of the Great
Northern machine and this. means that
he will have the opposition of the Van
SAINT following. Some of Dunn's best
friends are urging him to cut loose from
the Heatwole crowd and refuse to stand as
their candidate, but he is not likely to turn
down the support Of any one, and it is a
little late for him to change front on the
merger question. The anti-Van SAINT
forces look on him as their natural leader,
and expect. his well-knOwn popularity to
land them once more behind winner.
The antimerger forces must have a
leader but who he will be does not yet
appear.
Charles 3. Cheney