The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-24


1.-THE senator from Brown has occll-
pied a good share Of the public eye ~of
late. Some Of the long headed, poll
ticians Of the state have been suggesting
his name as one available for the gov
ernorship. The fact that the principal
federal officials are talking Somerville
does not mean that they have taken a
cue from Senators Nelson and Clapp, but
that they believe him good material. The
man from Sleepy Eye Is always wide
awake and looks on the present situation
as an opportunity. He has stated his be-
lief that any good republican can beat
Johnson, and tho not an active candidate
for the nomination, he would be quite will
ing to receive it and show that he means
what he says. He has several elements Of
strength, and one Of them Is that his
engrossment in the Koch murder case
kept him out Of the last campaign and
free from its fractional disturbances. He
has a record Of achievement, however.
He is the author Of the law requiring for
eign corporations to pay a license fee and
come under the laws of the state before
transacting business In Minnesota. He
also drafted the Inheritance tax law Of
1906 recently held valid by the supreme
court, which will bring millions into the
state treasury. He was chairman of the
senate judiciary committee at the last
two sessions, and had charge Of the re-
vised code in the upper house. @~at-o
George w. Somerville was born In In
diana in 1885, and came to Olmstead
county with his parents in 1856. He grad
uated in 1876 from the Rochester high
school, and in 1879 from the law depart
ment Of the university of Michigan.
He settled at Sleepy Eye, and served
as county attorney of Brown county from
1882 to 1888. He was elected to the state
senate from the nineteenth district in
1898. and reelected in 1902. He is in
terested in a new process for removing
smut from grain, and as it promises to
bring the owners good income, there Is
no doubt about his ability to pay his
assessment to the state committee If
nominated II made the nominee he may
apply his process to- the publication Of
state politics, @&< @ss e
The Owatonna Chronicle. which some
time ago declared James M. Diment did
not authorize announcements Of his can
didacy, now says he must not be consld-
cred out Of it, but is a strong factor in
the situation.
The Willmar Republican Gazette says
It SIS authorized to state that Mr.. Feig
Will not be candidate Tor any electlFc
state or county office. He is well salts
fed with the position he now holds and
hopes to be reappointed." Feig, who is
now supervising inspector Of country Gle
vators, has been considered a possible
candidate for state treasurer.
e. A. Nelson Of Hallock, one Of the,
merry crew Of candidates for secretary
of state, is in the twin cities after par
tial tour Of the state. He says he only
finds four candidates in Minneapolis. and
six outside, all Of them confident Of sue
cess Mr. Nelson believes that most Of
them will be disappointed. Nelson, seems
to be a target for some soreheads. who
charge him with having fought Dunn two
years ago. He was a Collins man, but
the truth is that after the convention he
executed strategic change Of front, a Ia
James A. Martin. and campaigned for
Dunn. X
Victor L. johnson Of Center City, Chi
sage county, has announced his candidacy
for the senate in the Thirty-second dis
trict. He was formerly county treasurer.
Charles B. Cheney.