The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-15
MINNESOTA POLITICS
Merger Issue Is Not Removed from POLL
tics Until 1t Is settled-opposltlon to
Lowry Is NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. as to
; the Attitude Of Nelson and Tawney To-
ward Candidates for Governor.

There was joy in the camp of Judge
Collins yesterday, when the news came of
the supreme court decision in the merger
case. The Collins supporters are men
who have been with Governor Van SAINT
in his battle, and they. rejoiced at this
signal success, regardless Of its political
effect. -
AS to the effect, on Judge Collins
chances, the verdict of impartial observ-
| ers is that the decision will help Collins
and hurt Dunn. Judge Collins did not say
| anything for publication. AlthO court is
not in session, he is member Of the
supreme bench until April 1, and it might
be considered an improperly for him to
discuss the acts Of a higher court. His
position Is well known, Mr. Dunn said:
II am glad the decision has been handed
| down. It simplifes matters and removes
a legal question from politics. The mer-
ger question had no place in a state cam
paign It was legal question, and Pres
ident Roosevelt can be relied upon to en-
| force the law n ,Ef} f.:
| It is remarked that Mr.. Dunn said
nothing to indicate that he was pleased
by the decision, and, in view of former
| expressions from him, it is inferred that
he was not pleased, except with the pros
pect Of removing the question from pol
| itics.
/ But is it removed from politics? The
public is familiar with the attitude o.
President Hill. He is not going to aban.
| don the effort begun ten years ago, anC
1t is already announced that another way
! will be devised to keep the properties un.
der one management. He still has his
expert legal advisers. and they may be
expected to search for a plan which
will defeat the purposes of the law anc
stif1e competition OF course, they "fel
down" before, in organizing the Northern
Securities company, and they might be
mistaken again, but probably the onl,
way to determine that would be by an
other suit. The people of Minnesota were
with Governor Van SAINT in this matter
and they will not be willing to quit ant
concede that the merger issue is dead un
til Mr.. Hill gives over his attempts t.
effect the consolidation.
| This is the situation, and 1t will have
an important bearing on the governor
ship contest. Those who are against thu
merger will insist that Governor Val
A SAINTS successor shall be a man committed
to his policies and in sympathy with tn
stubborn resistance that the state ant
federal authorities have made to thu
schemes Of the ill-Morgan confederation
The antimerger element Of the repub
lican party will continue to be heard from
Nelson, Clapp, Van SAINT and Lowr,
will be the Minnesota, sbig four" and vii
be selected at the state convention Thurs
day with little il any opposition. Their
have been objections raised to Goyerno
Van SAINT, and also to Mr.. Lowry, bu
Bob Dunn announced yesterday, befor
} leaving for Hot Springs, that he favore
Lowry for place. The Dunn lieuten
ants here would have made fight. fo
Shevlin II he had not Withdrawn from tn
, race, but Hennepin is now solidly benin
!, Lowry. Dunn himself favored G.
Hartley Of Duluth for place, but noy
: the state is apparently ready to conced
the fourth place to Hennepin, and tn
j governor and senators have easy sailing
Duluth will doubtless have one Of I tn
!. Observation-Disclosures, and the other .thre
{ are likely to go to the country.
There are two very important infiu
ences in state politics thatare not lined u