The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1918-04-03
STATE CAPITOL NEWS.

Townleyism as Minnesota politi-
cal issue became a stern reality this
week when representatives of the
National Nonpartisan League gath
cred in st. Paul, named practically
a complete state ticket, adopted a
set of typical Townley resolutions
and then hied themselves to their re-
spective homes fully prepared for
action. The gathering was not q
monster affair, those in attendance
numbering perhaps 500, but it was
an orderly one and handled in a way
that left no doubt as to who was in
control. The mastery hand of A. c..
Townley, creator of the latest in
things political, was in charge and
the set program went through with
out a hitch. Loyalty was the key
note throughout and big business
the one grievance. The ticket fol-
lows: Governor, Chas. A. Lindbergh,
Little Falls; Lieut.. governor, Ralph
E. Crane, Grand Meadow; auditor, T..
O. Tjfovald, Granite Falls; secretary
of state, Henry Holmes, Big Lake;
treasurer, T. A. Meighen, Preston;
attorney general, Victor Power, Hib-
bling, and railroad commissioner, F..
E. Tillquist, St. Paul. No opposition
was offered Chief Justice Calvin l..
Brown, Justices Hallam or Holt, the
retiring members Of the supreme
court, l. A. Caswell, the clerk Of the
court or United States Senator
.Knute Nelson. All of those named
are Republicans with the exception
Of Thomas Meighen of Preston, who
is a Democrat. Perhaps never in the
history of any Minnesota political
gathering was there such secrecy as
attended the selection of the state
ticket. Less than fifty accredited
delegates attended to this feature of
the affair and the local press was
kept guessing until Townley and his
lieutenants saw fit to make the list
public. Nor was there any grumb-
ling. If there was such it did not
get beyond the darkened chamber
where the gathering was held. To
many the League movement is men,
ace to good government, but whether
one differs with it or not Townley
and his crowd will have to be reck-
oned with. This the leaders of both
big parties realize and Minnesota
politically this year will be rocked
as it never. was before. The hottest
political fight in the history of Min
nesota, it might be said, began with
this week and it will be waged right
on through to November. Townley
and his bunch may win, but they will
not find the conquest as easy as in
North Dakota.
:: = ;: = =
With the completion of the June
primaries the selection of a state
central committee by the party can
dldates will be in order and though
it would seem rather early for such
trifles, who will constitute the next
Republican state central committee
IS just now quite a matter of con.
Germ with some. The chairman nat.
urally is the bone of contention an6
as the selection is a prerogative OF
the winning candidate for governor
talk at the present time runs tt
Gust Lindquist, private secretary Of
Gov. Burnquist. This is on the as
sumption that Gov. Burnquist will
pull down the Republican gubernat
orial nomination and just now there
is little to dispute that claim. Thu
selection, it is generally agreed
would be a good one. Secretary Lind
quist perhaps has not been in tn,
game as long as some, but no on,
close to his excellency has greater
number of friends. 1t is admittet
that since entering upon his nev
duties he has been a tower O.
strength to his chief and tina
through his good offices much in
troublesome way has been remove,
and the governors fences stiffened
Gus" is regarded as a conner in stat
Republican circles.
+ y
Mayor Power Of Hibbing, the Non
partisan selection for attorney ger
eral, it is said, will refuse the nom
nation. Word is that he has sent
letter to the League leaders declir
ing the honor. Another declinatio
will be that of Thomas Meighen .
Preston for state treasurer. Despit
the Leagues admitted strength i
the state the logic of the situatio
is against any complete sweep of til
state by the league, and this bot
Power and Meighen undoubtedly re
alize. Lindbergh as the League cand
idate for governor. bv some f1uke q