The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-11-02
! Minnesota Politics

4I1I1GHGCSOGA OIIllGS
- u
Congressman FIetcher's Promised Flyer
into State Politics Starts Gosslp-BIg
Congressional Field In SIght-observa-
TORS on Block-The Office Of Attorney
General.
Uncle Loren" Fletcher has set the
tongues to wagging with his statement
that he is thinking about running for
governor. Opinion differs as to whether
he really has hopes of being governor,
or whether the statement is a sort of
cloak to his real intentions.
Shrewd observers expect to see Mr..
Fletcher wind up with being candidate
for congress once more. in spite of state.
ments he has made to the contrary. They
point out that candidacy for governor
would not bar him from running for con-
gress. If he asks for the governorship
he will make bid for the support of
Hennepin' county in the state convention
That will be an excellent method of keep
ing an organization busy and holding a
1lrm hand on his supporters. If he should
go INTO the state convention with Hen
nepin county, Mr.. Fletcher would at least
cut figure in naming the state ticket,
and 1t would be no disgrace if he failed
to head the ticket. The convention will
be held in June, probably, and he could
then turn around and make a run for
congress. = sft
Whether Fletcher runs or not, there is
going to be pretty little tilt among con-
gressional aspirants. Five other proni-
| nent Minneapolitans are considered sure
| entries. Alphabetically arranged. they
are William H sEustis. Albert H Hall
John G. Lund, Frank M. Nye and w. D.
| 'Washburn, Jr. Others are credited with
more or less serious intentions, but this
quintet is counted on for certainty, and
| with Fletcher added We would have a
sextet that would add new attractions to
| Florodora, If not to Lucia di Hammer,
| moor. eG5- .-.-:@ -,
! Former Mayor Eustis has been consid-
cred in the race for congress for nearly
! a year, and has a strong following al
ready looking out for his interests. A. H
! Hall made a creditable run against Fetch
| er last year. and announced after the pri-
marles that he would try again. John G.
Lund, we'll known in the business world
broke into politics for the first time las
year, and made a good legislative rec.
| ord, to which he can point. Frank M
! Nye is always formidable, and was ex-
! pected to make the race last year. Con
.dltions which prevented his doing so ther
are said to have been removed and he i:
| quite likely to run next time. Mr.. Wash
burn has served twice in the legislator,
with distinction, and has proved goot
yote-getter both times. Should all fv,
carry out their intention, it would be one
of the finest political contests Minneap
oils has ever seen.
julius Blocks manly form has attracted
notice as far away as Kittson county
where they shake hands with the Winni
peggers. The Kennedy Star this weel
opens its editorial columns to a discus
| sion of>the big treasurer and his candi
dacy for governor, and predicts that mex
spring he will be the leading candidate
The Star says further: ,
julius Block is not known as speechmaker
4 some claim that he couldn't make one If hi
tried. His training as bookkeeper for the. asy
| lum at ST. Peter before he became state treas
urer certainly was not along such lines a
has in lieu thereof another trait or accomplish
ment which distinctly outweighs his mediocrit
as speaker and renders him dangerous COZ
testant to opposing candidates at all times
Julius Block can organize, establish systeI
OF political wires, and pull thos
wires better, perhaps, than any othe
man in the state. Unlike Senators Lord. Wilso
and Somerville, he has no legislative record
commend him. and his public services as treas
5 urer have been too regular and unobtrusive t
l attract attention. The, showing he will max
will therefore be the result of quiet energeti
and unceasing personal endeavor and, tn
strength Of that showing is going to surpris
; many. r. '..''.
The Hector Mirror wants to keep E. Z
Young where he can do the most goot
1t says: =.
The movement on the part of some politician
; Stafe tO hmm
Ell General Young for governor is altogether III
: timely Not that he is not a fit man for tt
place, but because in his present position ,
- attorney general he is where he can do ,
t effective work for the state land perhaps more
than he could in the governors chair. In th
age of graft and dishonesty In public and sem
r public life there is need of a fearless ar
G capable man at the head of the legal depar
a ment of the state government. In less than
=, years incumbency of the office Young has show
that he possesses the. qualifications to fill IL
!. bill most acceptably, and he should not be r
moved even for promotion to the governorshi
S His reward will come later.
= A former governor of the state sa
= only the other day that to his mind IL
d most important office in Minnesota W;
a that of attorney general. While the d.
q s1tion of counsel for the state of Mimi
e sofa has always been one of great r
IS sponsibility, 1t is more so now than eve
re while some other offices have diminish
e in Importance. The elective railro;
n commission has robbed the governor
e responsibility for enforcement of ra
y road laws and conduct of the grain d
IS partment, and the board of control h
n relieved him of any authority over sta
e institutions except as a member e
officio Of the university regents. The
ditor still has an immensely importa
II place, but he does not have entire CO
III troll of timber matters any longer Th
It control is shared by the attorney ge
lie oral as a member Of the state limb
g board. ..-.
l. The work and responsibility of the a
l. torney general have multiplied. 1t res
t. entirely with him whether the state sh
ct collect claims of any kind against p1
. vate citizens. He may either sue, COZ
lie promise or drop the matter, and the Ia
y gives him greater latitude than any 9th
7r officer Of the state. If he chooses
r hold strictly to enforcement of the la
TT as the present attorney general has dor
r. he can make the dry bones rattle. a
a can start procession coming up to t
n, captains office.
re - .5,-Charles B. Cheney
"A sLUNCH-AND THE TRIMMINGS