The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-26
VAN NESTS FOES
ARE HARD LOSERS
THIRTEENTH WARDERs TALK OF
- OPPOSITION CANDIDATE.
Enemies ,of the Alderman Believe They
Can Find Man to Go on Ticket by
Petition; but Hts Friends, Smile and
Stand Pat-What Law Provides.

Alderman J. H. Van Nest, renomi-
mated last Tuesday in the thirteenth
ward on the republican ticket, may have
still another contest on his hands. Tho
there is no democratic candidate in the
ward, it is proposed by the opposition
to Van Nest to bring in an independent
candidate by petition. Van Nest,
who has served one term, was renomi-
mated Tuesday by "a margin Of 1o8
votes, against two candidates after a
hard fight all over the ward. The op-
being split was unable to land.
The Van Nest opposition is deter
mined and is now actively at work
trying to find suitable candidate who
will run as an independent. At meet
ing last night at Fourth avenue s and
Thirty-eighth street the situation was
discussed. The active efforts Of the op-
position leaders are centered on W. W.
Bardwell, who is wanted as the indie
pendent candidate. The workers have
camped for sseige, but have not Sc
cured Bardwell s consent. Bardwell,
tho not an old resident Of the thir-
teenth ward, is well known in the city.
He has served two years in the legis-
lature from the forty-frst district with
creditoto himself and his district, and
has good record. He was a candidate
for judge Of the municipal court at the
recent primaries. The anti-Van Nest
leaders announce that they can comply
with all legal requirements; that any
good man with a clean record will be
elected and that If Bardwell will con-
sent to make the run he will be
elected oyer Van Nest on the regular
ticket. Bardwell has rejected all adj
vances. He was sought as candidate
before the primaries, but declined to
make the run. -
1t has been suggested that the public
ownership candidate, B. E. Roberts, be
Endorsed, but this is not acceptable to
the greater part of the Van Nest op-
position.
The reasons given for opposing Van
Nest. cover a wide range, including al
legged personal unftness, indifference to
the needs of his district and lack Of
influence. Charges are also openly
made regarding the count in the sec
ond precinct, which gave Van Nest
majority Of 81. It is alleged that the
count was in the hands of personal
friends of the alderman and appointed
by him. The precinct was the last to
be heard from and until it was heard
from, Van Nest was but twenty-one
votes ahead of Gray. It is possible
that recount of the vote Of this pre-
c1nct may be asked. 1t secured, it
would clear the atmosphere, no matter
which way the count went.
The law permits the bringing out of
candidates by petition under certain
conditions. Some Of Van Nests
friends say it will be impossible either
to- secure the candidate or to comply
with the legal requirements, but the
opposition feels differently about it.
TO bring out an independent candidate,
the candidate himself must not have
been a. candidate for the place at the
primaries. Petitioners must not have
and the petition must be signed by at
least 10 per cent Of the vote, as shown
by the preceding general election. Be-
cause OF the interest taken in the con-
test. it is thought by the Van Nest
hackers that the necessary number of
signers cannot be secured.