The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-07
ADMITS SMITH is
HARD MAN TO BEAT
Ross Clark Tells Republicans
of Poor Police Administra-
tons of Doran and Kiefer.

At the meeting Of the Fourth ward
organization last night Ross Clark said
the Republicans would have a hard
time in finding man who could de-
feat Robert Smith in the mayoralty
race. He predicted that if the Repub
licans could agree upon a man of ex-
ira fine quality, they might, by hard
work and perfect harmony, succeed in
electing him.
Mr. Clark spoke plainly in address,
ing the precinct committeeman of the
ward, and told them that the greatest
obstacle in the way of electing a Re
publican mayor was the splendid po-
lice department afforded the city under
a Democratic administration.
THE Republicans have been UNI
fortunate" said Mr. Clark, during
the last two times they have been in
control Of the city administration by
having mayors who selected poor men
for the police department These bad
selections have hurt the party, and the
Republicans will have a hard time to
find a man who will defeat Bob Smith
THE efficiency of the police depart
ment under the present administration
will have a great influence in the COM
ing election, and the Republicans will
have to select the very best man in the
party if they expect to stand chance
to win. We must select a good man, do
our very best to elect him, and then if
we fail, we will not be to blame.
Says Republicans Are Handicapped.
Il do not say that we cannot find a
man in our party who could defeat
Mayor Smith, but the selection of poor
men for the police department by the
two last Republican. mayors will prove
a handicap"
Mr.. Clark predicted that Ramsey
county would be for w. J. Donahower
for attorney general.
s5The meeting last night was the first
held this year by the Republican or
ganization in the Fourth ward, and
there was a creditable attendance
Court Commissioner Henry Gallick
presided and number of the old war
horses" of the Fourth made optimistic
talks.
There was a strong sentiment in
favor of John I. Howard for alderman,
but resolution introduced by Frank
j. Obst calling for the organizations
Endorsement of Mr.. Towards candidacy
had to be withdrawn to save it from
defeat. Oar Reese, Fred Schiffmann
and other Republican leaders of the
Fourth, while willing to pledge their
support to Mr.. Howard, argued that
it would be bad politics to try and Sc
cure for him the Endorsement of the or
ganization.
1T might create an i'll feeling" said
Oar Reese. There may be other Re-
iHo
file for the nomination, and hardly
believe it would be proper for us, at
TINS time, to indorse Mr.. Howard as a
candidate for alderman. What could be
done, and | think it would be much
more effective, would be to call a mass
meeting of the Republicans Of the ward
and have Mr.. Howard's candidacy in
dorsed IN that manner. 1t would give
all Republicans an opportunity to have
a voice in the selection of a candidate.
and it could not be said that the ward
organization was taking any advantage
OF the voters of the ward"
Fred Schiffmann was Of the same
opinion. He said he was In favor Of
Mr.. Howard's candidacy, and he would
work as hard for him as anyone in
the ward, but he did not think 1t was
| advisable for the organization to in
dorse him or any other candidate. for
that matter.
Experience Teaches.
1.-TWO years ago." said Mr.. Schiff-
| mann, after this organization had in
dorsed a candidate for alderman, the
candidate withdrew, and we came near
not finding another man who was will
ing to make the race. 1 believe we
should keep out Of it, as an organiza-
! ton, until after the primaries. If
| there is any indorsing to be done, let
it be done as suggested by Mr.. Reese,
| by calling a mass meeting of the yot-
| erS of the ward"
Mr.. Obst, the author of the resoIu-
| ton calling for the Endorsement of Mr..
i Howard, insisted upon his motion. but
Mr.. Howard, foreseeing defeat and
| possibly cause for bad feeling, sug-
gested that the resolution be with
| drawn for the time being, which was
| agreed to with the understanding that
a mass meeting is to be called for
some night this week, at which the.
| candidacy of Mr.. Howard will in all
! probability be indorsed
! Among those who made short talks
last night We're: Oar Reese, Fred
| Schiffmann, Gen. Libbey, Court Com
| Clark, John Selb, w. J. Bazille. Frank
| Obst, Dick Faar, John Howard and a
number of others.
Donahower Heartily Endorsed.
| Throughout the meeting sentiment
! favorable to w. J, DonahOwer as a
| candidate for attorney general pre-
! vailed, and Mr. D0nahoWer was assl1r
| ed that he would have, not only the
! solid support of the Republicans Of the
Fourth ward, but Of Ramsey county.
/ Court Commissioner Henry Galfick
who presided at the meeting, respond
/ ed to the demands for speech.
Capt. GaIIick Makes Speech.
Gentlemen and Republicans of the
great Fourth ward" said Mr.. Gallick.
L feel that it is an honor to preside
! over such body of men. The Fourth
ward is the cream of society and of in
! telligence; it is the dictator of partv
policy, and it is the banner ward Of
the city. 1t is the height of nv am
b1tion to see a Republican ticket elect
ed. Let US stand together united and
we will elect an alderman this spring"
| other speakers told of the good work
done by the Republican hustlers in the
Fourth ward, and all predicted a sue
cessful year for the Republican party.