The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1911-11-30
Eberhart and Gordon Certain to
Have Opposition.
HIS IDENTITY KEPT SECRET
Attempt to Smoke Him Out Not Likely
to Meet With Success Until After
the First of the Year..
Especial Correspondence.

E1O~S>~A~ASS
of third entry in the Republican
state gubernatorial contest and Just
now it looks as if the forecast prom
ised realization. Like the song hit of
the day, THAT Mysterious Rag" the
aggravating, tantalizing, tongue-wag-
ging air of "That Mysterious Third"
has the entire population at the state
capitol humming the refrain and a
dozen sleuths busy trying to find the
culprit. Trot him out will soon be the
cry, though I fancy the smoking out
process will not be attended with
much success before the first of the
year. Who he is, where he comes
from, what his chances are and who
is or what is the motive behind the
whole thing Dame Rumor or the king
makers have failed to acquaint me
my honest opinion is that the two
would like some inside information
upon the subject-but just the same
"That Mysterious Third is in the
air and just now has the call. Gov
ernor Eberhart, who hopes to be re-
turned, processes ignorance and S. Y.
Gordon of Browns Valley smiles when
questioned and says nothing-as usual.
: \ =
Laying aside the question of wheth-
er the whole thing is just one of those
bits of gossip that injects itself into
every campaign, or that it is on the
level, the entrance of third candi-
date into the coming gubernatorial
game would not be against the regu-
lar order of things. If anything, the
present situation invites it. Quoting
the gossips, and some influential Re-
publicans at that, Governor Eberhart
and his administration are being
"knocked' in many quarters and then,
on the other hand, there are those to
whom the candidacy of Lieutenant
Governor S. Y. Gordon does not ap-
peal. This constituency constitutes a
big asset and what is more natural
than for some one to seek it's support.
Then, again, suppose the Eberhart
forces awaken to the growing popu-
larity of the Browns Valley man and
realizing their inability to head off it's
growth trot out an alleged rival with
the hope of dividing it. I do not say
that the Eberhart or even the Gordon
forces, if similarly bothered, have any
such intentions, but I ask you what is
to prevent it and the other condition
| have named All through, dear
reader, the riddle spells No. 3, and it
grows with the days.
!. :. !.
The first intimation of a third Re-
publican gubernatorial candidate came
with the announcement of Alvah East
man of St. Cloud for congressman at
large, which followed hot on the heels
of a story that Congressman Lind
bergh of Little Falls was about to get
into the game. Several in attendance
at the Eberhart fire congress whis-
pered that Mr.. Eastman had higher as
pirations, but this talk was promptly
squelched by the St. Cloud man in an
editorial in which he commented upon
the coming campaign, spoke of Eber-
hart and Gordon as the only two can
didates, and invited his readers to
take their choice. He deprecated any
convention trouble or feeling. Some
weeks later R. C. Dunn visited the st
Cloud editor and he followed it with
hurried trip to the state capitol
:. :. !.
Yours truly did not sit in at the con.
ference between Mr. Dunn and Gov
ernor Eberhart and his official family,
but on the authority Of one who was
there Mr.. Dunn, who is nothing if not
aggressive, did not mince words in
telling the Eberhart forces that it was
up to them to get busy. He had been
making some side excursions and he
had found things that surprised him.
He later had friendly visit with some
of the Gordon adherents in the same
building. Confidence, he confided to
friends, is all right, but it does not
get or hold votes. Right here I pause
to digress. What if the Princeton man
was to again get in the game, or say
Alvah Eastman? Bob has said he is
for Governor Eberhart, as he believes
he represents Republican success and
harmony, and Bob is a man Of his
word. But, as l once said, there is no
otHef game like politics.
!. + !.
Senator Knute Nelson, while en-
route to Washington last week,
dropped off in St. Paul and between
trains hobnobbed with Sam Gordon,
his manager, James Arneson, and I. A.
CasWell, clerk of the supreme court.
Several others with a Gordon leaning
sat in and twitted the senator regard
ing his good health and ruddy looks.
A visit from the senior senator is
nothing new for St. Paul, but this one
promises to go down into history. and
it is even now dividing time at the
state capitol with "That Mysterious
Third" All kinds of guesses are be-
ing hazarded, but the chief thing
bothering some is why 1t was all Cor.