Evening star., 1916-09-25
WILSON SENTIMENT
ST1RS MINNESOTA
Democrats Elated Over Aus
pieious Opening of the
Campaign.
BURKE SPREADS DOCTRINE
THROUGH NORTH DAKOTA
Republicans Alarmed Lest States Be
Put in Doubtful Column-Party
Oratory in October.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Wilson in this section.
Republicans in touch with the situa-
tion are far from satisfied. They are
beginning to criticise the national
committee for failure to put any pep"
into the campaign.
The Minnesota republican committee
did not plan to wage long campaign,
and will not have speakers out much
before October I. 1t is criticised now
for falling to stem the wave of Wilson
sentiment in some way.
Just now Wilson stock is high in
this state. Democrats are beginning
to claim victory, in spite of the normal
$4,000 republican majority. Republican
leaders who have sounded sentiment
are free to admit that no normal re-
publican plurality is to be expected.
Faith in October Campaign.
The situation is much like it was in
1896, when, a few weeks before cleo
tion, Bryan seemed to be a certain
winner Republicans have faith that
an aggressive campaign through Octo-
Der will swing sentiment the other way.
The most disquieting symptom is the
strong Wilson sentiment found among
Scandinavian voters, who form the big
gest single element In the state. Ihey
are full two-thirds republican.
The Scandinavians are peace e-loVing
people by inheritance. They are strong
ly impressed with the idea that Wilson
has kept us out of war. While not
going over to the democratic party.
many of them are expressing the in
tention of giving the President per-
sonal Endorsement
Senator Knute Nelson, a power among
fnr n
active part in the campaign little
later Other speakers are to be used in
effort to show voters that the President
is entitled to little or no credit for the
country'S freedom from the bloody
maelstrom.
The national committee is urged also
to send speakers into North Dakota,
which is showing similar symptoms.
Reports that the Farmers Nom -Parti-
san League, the dominant political
factor in that state, is throwing its
strength to Wilson are being authori-
tatively denied. The league takes no
part in national politics. But Wilson
sentiment is reported strong there
John Burke, strong personally in the
state and three times elected it's gov
ernor, has returned to campaign North
Dakota for the United States Senate.
He has cultivated the farmers move
ment and is thought to have fair
chance of election over P. ]. McCumber.
He also will be a big help to Wilson.
With Burke on his invasion Of North
Dakota went no less an Individual than
Henry c. Hansbrough, former repub-
Ucan United States senator from North
Dakota and once a stalwart of the
stalwarts. He is openly for Wilson. and
gave out a statement iii Minneapolis
= before leaving, giving reasons for his
stand.
Senator Lewis Heats Things.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis of
Illinois took the lid off the democratic
campaign at meeting in this city
September Is. State candidates ap-
peared on the platform with him.
A small hall engaged for the meeting
was far too small for the crowd The
500 who got into the hall were wildly
enthusiastic for Wilson. Lewis has
gone on west, stopping in Fargo to
open the North Dakota campaign. and
tnenee over the same route as that of
the Hughes special
Senator William E. Borah was booked
Tor a meeting in Minneapolis this week
The engagement had to be Cancelled
when Senator Borah pleaded throat
trouble.
Senator Harding of Ohio is to speak
at Winona, Mimi. on September 2s
Albert j. Beveridge is to open the cam
paign at Duluth within the next few
days.
Republicans are promised quite an
array OF speakers in this state later II
Is hoped that Theodore Roosevelt will
come to Minnesota for one address, a,
least.
To have Minnesota become one of the
doubtful states is new sensation for
republicans here. Some of them are
touched with panic.
The Hughes speeches in Wisconsin
seem to be taking better than his eff
forts on The first tour. Some think he
Sideshow' DEVELOPMENTS,
The present campaign is developing
more sideshows than usual The
Hughes Alliance has had an emissary
in the twin cities this wek. The Mime
apolis and st. Paul committees Of the
sustaining bureau of the republican
national committee have been formed
and are enrolling members, and plans
are being made for reception of the
women's special train when it arrives
October T.
The democrats. with their double
header state organization. are not the
only ones to have factional troubles
Republicans have been stirred UP In
Hennepin county by the claims of riva,
factions. who are multiplying clubs and
committees I'm confusing fashion.
While mass meetings were called in the
rural counties to organize republicans the
forming OF county organizations in the
three large cities was handled differently
Minneapolis republicans Joined with rem.
nants of the progressive party to organ.
ize the Hughes Club of Hennepin county
To this body was delegated by State
Chairman Eric J.. Thornton the task OF
organizing the county for the campaign
This has been done down to the precincts
But faction. headed by several repi,b
lean aldermen. considering itself ignored
started a new organization under ths
name of the Hennepin County Republican
Club. They claimed that the Hughes Clut
was working only for the national ticke
and was not really a republican organiza
tion.
Three hundred of them journeyed Il
81 Paul to throw a scare" into Chairman
thornton He Investigated and found tha
some ward clubs Of long standing alst
were demanding recognition.
He has asked the various clubs to nam,
conference committees to meet with hin
and thresh things out. The ultimate pur
pose Is to form a county committee rep
resenting all factions. but 1t may be hare
TO attain. The progressive party men ar,
mined at the turn affairs are taking ant
threatened to drop their part in the cam
paign.
Progressives have decided TO have ;
partial state ticket in order to presery,
"a their identity as party. Petitions ar,
in circulation to nominate candidates al
q follows William w. Hamilton Of Duluth
lieutenant governor Henry w. Libby
E Winona, secretary Of state, and John +
u Byers, Minneapolis, attorney general
- What will be done with the progressiy
electoral ticket is still undecided
The democrats have organized their ex
ecutive committee. 1t Is to have weeki,
meetings, all the members taking turn
on duty at headquarters. They have aske,