The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-24
MINNESOTA POLITICS

| M4Aa ~ 0OV a EVG2 i 4UO
cIapp Campaign Appears to Have Car
ried Opposition Off Its Feet-Little
Probability of the Fight Being contin-
ued - SpeakershIp Talk - PopuIst
Action Favorable to Johnson-Heavy
Assessments on State EmpIoyees-PrI-
mary Law Discussion. .........-
The senatorial situation has one
sided aspect. 1t certainly appears that
the aggressive campaign made by the
friends Of Senator lClapp has given him
lead that cannot be overcome. The claims
made by his friends are doubtless lit
tie strong, but they can be discounted to
quite an extent and still leave Clapp a
safe margin in the republican caucus.
There were several legislative candidates
nominated as Clapp men who made no
written pledge. Some expressed them
selves in newspaper interviews, and 9TH
ers printed on their campaign cards,
Favorable to Moses E. Clapp for Sena-
tor or a similar expression of prefer
ence, on the strength of which they are
considered pledged to Clapp. H.
The senator's opponents will not ad-
binding, and say that in a number Of
such cases the candidate was forced into
a halfway expression, which would not
commit him at the caucuses. This is
probably true, and if the opposition was
making an aggressive contest there
might be some doubt about the result.
Some little work has been done, but just
now the opposition is inactive, and from
all indications has practically abandoned
Rph he hau
A large majority of the senators were
secured long ago by written pledges, and
old house members coming up for re-
election were lined up in the same way.
The Hennepin delegation could prob
ably be united on a home candidate if
there was any hope of electing him, but
there is a strong sentiment among the
senators and the house nominees against
pumping up against a stone wall" AS
! matters stand now, they could not all be
| brought in line to vote for any local can
didate. The outlook is not sufficiently
encouraging.
The principal work against Clapp has
been done by a state senator from one of
! the northern counties, who has been 60
ing about the state. urging candidates not
to commit themselves. He has returned
home, and the only work now being done
is being done by Clapp's friends, who
are securing pledges from the house can
didates nominated as fast as they can.
Under the circumstances it IS hard for
q candidate to refuse to sign a pledge.
/ There Is some talk about bringing out
a Hennepin candidate for the speaker
ship, but usual the delegation is over
burdened with material. George w.
Armstrong has been proposed but there
is also some sentiment for Carl Wallace
and w. P. Roberts. The st. Cloud Jour-
nal-Press says either one would make a
high grade speaker. With such an en-
barrassment of riches Hennepin is apt
to keep out Of the speakership race.
There are already two candidates from
the first district, one from the second,
one from the seventh, one from the
eighth and one from the ninth. 49,
The republican state managers are dis.
pleased at the action of the popuiists
who displayed unwonted discretion wher
they decided last evening to keep out OF
the state fight, and content themselves
with an electoral ticket. The Parker nom
tnation has driven some old populists
back into the ranks, and with a strong
populist candidate for governor they coulC
have polled 5000 to 10000 votes. With
out such a candidate in the field. at least
three-fourths of those votes will go tc
Johnson.
The republican state campaign fund is
said to be in considerable need of reple
ton. Evidence of this is furnished by the
heavy assessment laid on employees If
offices at the state capito., that can bc
reached by such means. This assessment
ranges from 500 to $500, and is so stiff
in proportion to the salaries received thai
it has provoked a rebellion. The en-
; ployees in one office have. compromised
on $50 each, it is said. Candidates or
the state ticket are struck for the
;, usual $1,000.
The Dunn combination won easily in thu
big ee-for-all legislative fight in thu
forty fifth district, where there were si1
candidates with three places to fill, the
nominations going to Mark Of Mile Laos
Craig of Sherburne and Wyman of Anoka
Wilkes of Mile Laos was cut at home IL
favor of Craig, and there is blood on TIT
moon in the Milaca end of the county. Thu
vote by counties was as follows: