New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-11
MINNESOTA POLITICS.
THE RINcs Avn THE FARMERS.

4 THE RINGS AND ThE fAhhhASo'
REPUBLICAN RINGS, BIG AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| or SENATOR RAMsEYs RING IN THE STATE CON
| yKyIIoN-THE FARMERS OPPORTUNITY AND
THEIR FAILURE TO USE 1.-THE O"AIosNA
| TICKET NOMINATED TO CATCH DEMOCRATIC VOTES.
| rFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBuSE'
| OwAroNNA, Mimi, Sept. 3.-There are rings
and rings in Minnesota politics The greatest REG OF
them ALL what respectable Republican OF st. Paul de-
serbed to me the Rranddaddy Of all tue little county
rings" ia that which sgnay defeated IN the he
| publican State Convention last July when Mr.. Cushman
K Davis was nominated be a candidate for the Gov
ernorsh. This State Ring takes its name and much vi
its strength from Senator Ramsey He came out TO st.
Paul in ls49 and first Governor OF the Territory, or
eanized IL when there only 1900 5000 civilized
people in what cOmpOses this State and Dakota,
counting French hal-breeds and ALL and especially
since the Republican party came into power the State,
have he and his friends managed TO keep control not
only OF the offices the Commonwealth, but also Of the
party in power. How this has been done shall not
now stop TO inquire, but merely record the fact
The Senator's First Lieutenant and the chief execu-
tive officer OF the Ring the King OF tie Washington
lobby, once poor newspaper man IN Minneapolis and
and prosperous in worldly Affairs until ne
waschosen Postmaster OF the House OF Representatives
Since that time he mas saved fUm MS salary, and in
other ways a few hundred thousand dollars, perhaps
half million. that now suppose, be would be able
TO print little oue-horse newspaper through whole
campaign Of two months, he disposed, without
calling his friends help him out with an occasional
aft. Mr.. King is a very popular man at home; he IL
very liberal with his money and nobody Ia indscreet
enough pry much into his business or to inquire
where he gets the helps TO build up The re-
gious charitable and educational institutions OF Min
neapois. Like the old Scotch preacher IN the pirates
village they never inquire where the money devoted to
good ends comeS from. Nor shall II any OF the great
corporations OF the country needed the services Of the
Postmaster OF the House when bills granting them
special privileges before Congress, and paid bin,
he probably rendered quid pro quo He is great
political power In this State, though naturally more in
sympathy with the capitalists than with the farmers
BIG AND LITTLE REPUBLICAN RINGS
The rank and Ale Of this state Ring comprises al or
nearly all Of the Federal officers in Mnnesea-ihe lard
agents. the postmasters. the internal revenue officers.
&c-the majority Of those who have held state offices
1862 and several newspapers owned and edited by
pOstnasters They form sort OF close corporation ard
have generally been successful not only in whipping the
Democratic party year after year, but also in keeping
the fat offices for themselves.
The little rings abound IN almost every county II The
Republicans are in majority. then few OF them man
age the primary elections aud the comfy conventions
get themselves elected 10 all important offices. and use
the common herd OF voters simply tho machinery by
which they themselves hosted into power and kept
there; and the Democrats do the when they have
chance or course there counties in which this state
OF things does exist, but generally the farmers
have been much engaged in improving their farlns
and retaining the wild prairie that they have done
little else than vote the ticket that has been prepared
| for them by their local rings.
The county rings have generally sent 10 thf State Con-
| yentions men who have cO0perated with the State
or Ramsey ring. that 1t has usually been only
necessary for Senator Ramsey, "BilP King and
few others TO agree beforehand what should lie the
action of State gathering Of the party to have IT
ratified without much hesitation. This Summer 10 was
determined that Mr. washburne should be the Replbh
can candidate for the GOvernorshp. The reasons for
this choice we're various. The Governor elected this Fall
holds Office for two years. and during the second year OF
mis- term United Senator is 70 be chosen in the
place Mr. Ramsey The Senator desires TO be his own
successor and though before the July Convention no
body doubted his reelection, 10 was thought best 70
coucede something in advance to Minneapolis jealousy
give that growing city the chief executive office OF
the State The locality argument would then have
force against Mr.. Ramsey. But The ST. Paul Dispatch,
spicy little evening journal, which was once RepIblI-
can bu since the Cincinnati Convention last has
| been independent, brought out Mr.. Davis as cand
date. He is a young Of marked ability and bril-
liant orator and writer. Lecture which he delivered
several years ago on Modern Feudalism" placed him
on record in opposition entertainments of cOrpo
raons on the prerogatiyes Of the people and gave BIN
! an euviabe reputation all the North West. The
DisoateAs nomination met with general favor among
the people. although the Ring denounced the whole
movement smash IT'S slate. and employed its whole
/ machinery 70 prevent revolt.
The RrSG's WEAKNESS IN THE STATE CONVENTION.
! when the Convention met the Ring in high elee
fhev had counted and supposed that they bad
majority of all the delegates pledged for Washburne.
The Federal officers out in force TO punish Davis,
who is himself T. g. Distrcr Attorney, FOR presumng %
be candidate when the Ring had decided against him.
! Gen. Baker, Commissioner OF Pensions, came all the
way from Washington and brought with him the pension
agent from Chicago. Tie surprise and disappointment
OF the Ring Davis received majority OF The votes
can better be imagined than described
When this State was first orGluized 10 was thought
far that the German element. which IS quite large,
should be represented among the State officers and
man OF German birth made State Treasurer. After
serving several years. he succeeded bY HIS father
inay who had been his assistant. and who remained
i'm Office until he discovered 10 be defaulter, about
year ago. and resigned TO escape impeachment. II was
then discovered that his predecessor had also stolen the
money of the State, and had derived Illegal profits by
lending ou the State funds Gov. Austin appointed
Trcasurer pro tenn. Mr E. W Dixie. who has proved him
self ist the man FOR place. and commented HIM
self 70 the people OF the that there general
desire among .he voters OF all parties that be should
continue in Office. But the Scandinavian delegates in
the Convention who were said 70 represent from 1900
TO 1900 Republican votes held caucns or their own,
resolved that they ought be represented An the State
ticket aud nominated Mr. Moses Grnager their candi
date for state When their action was re-
ported TO the Convention that body had not backbone
enough to 20 on and in accordance with its best iudr
ment nominate Mr.. Dixie, for fear the scaniinavinns
would bolt and put Mr. Grinagers name upon the
ticket. .
THE FARMERS OPPORTUNITY.
There as the Adjournment OF the Republican state
Convention this state Of affairs: The Ring which had
opposed Davis felt their defeat and were not
disposed into the campaign with quite as much
/ az usuaI Democrats and Liberals were, OF
course delighted the Rings slate broken. and not
q few of them were Disposed for Davis them