The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1912-11-21
Halt Dozen Aspirants Already
in The Field. "
RACE PROMISES TO Be CLOSE
Progressives Could Name the Winner,
but They Are Not Likely
70 Pull Together.
Especial Correspondence.a


st. Paul, Nov. 19.-The scramble
Tor the speakership of the next house
or representatives, which meets in
January, is on and the prospects are
that the whole thing will be in doubt
pretty much up to the first of the
year. Here are the candidates: Pat
McGarry, Walker; Henry Rines, Mora;
Thomas Frankson, Spring Valley; w.
l. Nolan and John Lennon, Minneap-
oils, and G. W. Brown, Glencoe. J. T.
johnson of Fergus Falls, a druggist
and member of the last house, may
break into the game at any time. If
those responsible for the new order
of things, by which 1 mean the so
called progressive movement, sup
posed to include every candidate for
office opposed to the old regime of
bossism, stood back to back there
would be nothing to it, but as viewed
1mpartia1ly as far as the present as
pirants are concerned it looks very
much as if Pat McGarry or G.. w.
Brown would land the job. am in
clined to believe that Brown is little
the best bet, though if keeping ever
lastingly at it counts for anything Nc.
Garry cannot but win. He is on the
job tWenty-four hours a day. Accord
ing to those who claim to be posted
the next house will have progressive
majority and this claim is not without
substantial backing when it is known
that fully sixty-fve members elect
made the race on a progressive plat
form, but the fact matters little with
those who biennially take upon them
selves the organization of the lower
house and the arrangement of: the
cue is the knowledge that the SO
called average progressive lacks the
one essential thing, and that is organ
ization. The trouble is there are no
privates in the progressive game.
Every one is a statesman.
:. :. !.
Pat McGarry of Walker arrived on
the scene week ago, also G.. w.
Brown of Glencoe, and can say with
out stretching the truth that both
have been on the job ever since The
two have headquarters at the Mer-
chants hotel and every member of the
house has received from one to two
letters from each, not to speak of per-
sonal visits. Henry Rines of Mora
showed up the early part Of the week,
but he has not been so active He
has confined his candidacy to letter
writing. AS I once pointed out but
few speakers Of the house in the past
twenty years have been named unless
they had the brand of the several in
terests who biennially haunt the legis-
lative halls, and 1 am pretty confident
that the next selection will not be an
exception. To speak plainly the pro-
gressive majority will be so badly
split up at the close that it will be
compelled to go either to Brown or
McGarry. AS the gossips have it in
this neck of the woods the interests
would be satisfied with either of the
two named and in making this state
ment / do not want to be taken as in
t1mating that either has solicited their
support. Just put yourself in their
place. They represent the conserva-
tive element. There are four on the
other side of the house and though
elimination has been suggested it will
not happen. For every one who with
draws there will be two to take his
place. Could anything be palmer 1t
is the old, old story and you cannot
get away from it.
:. \ !.
Two years ago State Insurance
Commissioner J. A. O. Preus,: as the
principal hacker of Governor Bber-
hart, predicted that his favorite would
carry every county in the state, and
he made good. Mr.. Preus, however,
cannot lay claim to the same fore
sight this year, as the returns tell a
different story. Late returns put. st.
Louis county in the Ringdal column
by majority of one and the Mankato
man is reported to have lost his home
district, Blue Earth county, to his
rival by majority of seven Several
pther counties, complete returns from
which are lacking at this writing, are
said to have been taken over by Mr.
Ringdal But then Governor Eberhart
prevailed and what is the use of talk
ing about what he lost. You have I'M
aoubtedly heard the. old saw about
miss being as good as mile:
:. + H.
One Of the several amendments to
the constitution offered to the voters
for their consideration at the late cleo
sion-the one mill road tax-has pre-
vailed and that is something to be
thankful for. I hardly know Of any:
ming that was more pleasing to. the
officials at the state capitol, as it rep
resented the unselfsh efforts of one
whom they long ago learned to love
and appreciate c. Dunn of Prince
ton. Bob's whole soul was tied up in
that amendment and he worked like a
Trojan to secure it's passage. The
story down here is that he delved
heavily into his bank account to help
It along. He bought publicity right
md left and ana told he even hired