The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-04-07
TO SIDETRACK
"UNDESIRABLES"
PLAN PROPOSED BY WORKERS
OF SEVERAL WARDS.
Ninth Ward Republicans Last Even
Ing Took Initial Step Toward Get
ting Man that Would Suit Them All
Other Wards Are Planning to
Follow Like Course.

Instead Of allowing possibly undesirable
candidates to thrust themselves upon an
unwilling constituency, the voters OF sew
eral city wards are preparing to call the
man they desire. This new condition, arts
ing from the revival Of interest in local
political conditions. Is especially notice
able In the ninth. third and eleventh
wards, where a determined effort Is be-
ing made to sidetrack those Of polz1cal
ambitions who are not the choice OF the
general voting body.
This tendency was marked in the ninth
ward republican meeting Tuesday night
when the expression of sentiment was
altogether in favor Of the appointment OF
a committee which would represent the
entire sentiment Of the republican voters
of the ward and which would name can
didate for alderman upon whom all the
republicans could center their strength.
On this committee were placed the
eleven republican precinct cha1rmen,
seven men representing the scandinavian
Republican club, and seven representing
the Ninth Ward Republican club, which
called the meeting. In their efforts to de-
feat the democratic machines choice in
the ninth this fall, the candidate named
by this committee will have the united
support Of the republican voters OF this
normally democratic ward.
In the third the democrats are taking
the initiative in the selection Of candi-
date. Owing to the split in the repub-
lican ranks between the adherents Of
Alderman Claus Mumm, who purposes to
succeed himself, and his opponents, who
are trying to get Alderman H. N. Leigh
ton to run again, or to bring out some
other candidate. the democrats have an
excellent opportunity to put winning
man into the aldermanic race.
... No Nationality Issue.
One of the peculiar things about the
third wards political condition Is that
the voters Of all descents are firm In ~
determination that the nationality issue
shall not enter into their campaign. The
democrats, especially, are looking for
candidate who will make a campaign as
an American, but they want the office to
go to the man, instead OF the man seek
ing the office.
Down in the eleventh ward, where such
q fight Is being made on Alderman Peter
Nelson, the same condition obtains. In
that the usually silent voters are cast
ing about for the strongest man to lead
the republican ticket. Former Alderman
Claus Peterson, who was defeated at the
polls in the last campaign by Alderman
Westphal, has been waited on by two
or three delegations which have desired
him again to try for the nomination, and
he has consented to make the attempt
But great many or the republican Vot-
ers In this most uncertain ward are not
satisfied with Mr.. Peterson and are try
ing to find man who they consider
stronger. In this quest they will even
tually settle on some man who will OPP
pose Alderman Peter Nelson and behind
whom will come that portion Of the dem
ocratic strength which Is opposed to the
present incumbent For 1t Is a fact that a
large portion of the democratic party II
the ward are opposed to the alderman!
reelection.
1t Is curious circumstance that boil
the republican and democratic aldermani
candidates in the ward are meeting abou
the same opposition on the same grounds
Both voted for the vacation Of three block
OF Riverside avenue. the reopening o
which Is now costing the citizens Of tn
neighborhood goodly sum. Neither ha
been abba to get what the ward believe
Is its proper share Of street improvements
Alderman Nelson has appealed twice 70
"vindication" and will be unable to us
this argument again. Alderman Peterson
will not be able to refer to his record wit
any particular advantage to his candid
acy.
Court CierkshIp.
This Is the argument which the friend
of A. K. Allen, clerk Of the municips
court make In support Of their conten