The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-10
COLLINS TO QUIT IN
FAVOR OF VAN SAINT
Reported That Judge WlIIWlth-
draw From GubernstorlaI
Race for Lack of Support.

1t was currently reported about the
corridors of the Windsor last night that
Judge Collins is to withdraw from
the gubernatorial fight and that Gov.
Van SAINT, despite his repeated denials,
is to enter the race as candidate him
self.
While the rumor was denied by the
Collins supporters, it is said to have
been freely discussed at secret con-
ferences held by members of the Re-
publican state central committee, who
were here to attend the committee
meeting held at the Windsor yesterday
afternoon.
The failure of the Collins manage
ment to line up Ramsey and Hennepin
counties, which is now admitted, is
given as the cause of this latest turn
in the political wheel, and it was an
nounced by Republican politicians who
are on the inside that the Collins fac
ton, foreseeing defeat, had decided to
withdraw Judge Collins from the race.
In withdrawing from the gubernato-
rial fight Judge Collins is said to have
frightened his grip upon the string
which he tied to his resignation from
the supreme bench which means that
Attorney General Douglas aspirations
to the supreme bench will have to re-
main unsatisfed for the time being.
The rumor of Collins decision to
withdraw from the fight and remain
on the supreme bench, while not
surprise to many of the members of
the state committee, is said to have
resulted in the prediction that such a
move would leave the Republican party
in an embarrassing situation.
Would Embarrass the Party.
According to the politicians who dis
cussed the matter, it would arouse the
enmity of Attorney General Douglas,
as we'll as Of w. B. Donahower, slated
to succeed Mr.. Douglas, and it would
naturally lead to an embarrassing po-
sition with regard to the fight for the
nomination of attorney general this
fall, something conceded to Mr., DON
ahoWer If he entered into the posi-
ton by appointment.
Members of the state committee and
other politicians who are credited with
being on the inside of the deal were 10th
to discuss the rumor last night, although
some of them admitted that such propo
sition had been discussed in secret con-
ference.
To those who have watched the trend
of political affairs in Hennepin and Ram
sey counties, the announcement does not
come as much of a surprise, for it has
been known for some time that Collins
could not hope to win out in either of
these counties, and without one of them,
his supporters admit that it would be use
less for him to hope for success.
II do not know how much truth there is
in the 'rumor," said a well known Re
nnhllcan and q r0arnhpr Of no
mittee, when pressed for information by
h e b e last night, but with the
understanding that his name would not
be used, he admitted that there was some
foundation for the talk Of Collins with
drawal.
Van SAINT a BarkIs.
The plan is, according to this politician,
TO restore Collins to his place on the
bench and pacify Douglas and Donahower
by promises. If Collins withdraws his
place in the race is to be taken by Gov.
van SAINT, who stands ready to become
a candidate at any time.
With Gov. Van SAINT again In tba raca
and Collins out of it, James Martin II Is
stated, VIII swing his support to the gov
ernor' upon the promise Of being cared for
IN the event Of Van SAINTS success
should Van SAINT be defeated, Martin. of
course, would be out in the cold. but he
would be in no worse predicament than he
would II Collins remained in the race
and lost, and for this reason Mr.. Martin
IS said not to be greatly opposed to the
change.
While not willing to admit If In tho p,,b-
lie or to the supporters of Dunn ana Fddv
Mr. Martin is said to have admitted TO his
closest political friends that 1t would be
useless to hope for anything for Collins
In Ramsey and Hennepin counties and
even Mr. Martin is not radical enough to
predict the success Of his candidate unless
one or the other of these counties can be
lined up for him.