The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-11-26
STRAIT RECEIVES THE CERT.
FUCATE.

STRAIT RECEIVES THE CERT.
FICATE.
The Republican farce at the Capitol
last night resulted, as every one could
have so set down in advance, in the
issuance of the certificate of election as
member of Congress frem the Second
district to Strait. Strait happens to
be an element in that reform within tn ,
ranks of the Republican party peculiar
ly represented by the accidental digna-
taries at the Capitol and which culmi-
mated in the alliance defensive and of.
iensive for the support of William S.
King for Congress.
There are many familiar illustrations
of political suicide. 1t is kind Of in
sanity for which there appears to be no
remedy. In pure kindness, there has
been disposition on our part to ward
off the political fate which seems to be
hanging over some persons in whom we
have taken some interest. Whom the
gods would destroy they first make
mad, and it seems as if there is no such
thing as making an exception to that
decree. There have been two occasions
in the brief political career of Gov.
Davis seldom vouchsafed to one man in
so short period in which he might
have fulfilled the expectations of his
friends, and placed himself in position
at least to merit the confidence and
the esteem Of the Democratic
Republicans who placed him in Office.
The first occasion was when Bill King.
succeeded by combination with Ram.
sey, the old barnacles Of Office, the In
dian ring, and the ex-pension agent of
Chicago, with the Pioneer, in beating
Averill and securing the nomination for
Congress. The second occasion occurred
last night when on the plainest
case ever presented to men. Of
sense. the canvassing board
with the Governor at the head, skulked
behind political bubble in order to
save one of their own combination and
thus preserve the Balance Of power be.
tween Austin, Ramsey, and Davis.
1t was quite evident that all argument
before that board was unnecessary.
They had already decided the case in
advance. Mr.. Gilman's argument,
which simply amounted to urging
upon this petty political caucus, the
arithmetical problem that two and two
make four, but ably and conclusively
presented, of course was ovcruled. The
searching, lucid, and brilliant effort Of
) Austin's lawyer, the immortal Brown
of Shakopee, was also overuled. and
the Governor, leading into q brief re
, tirement, Jennison. on whose shoulders
the mantle's of Story and Kent appear
! to have fallen, render ed the caucus de
cision.
Before coming to this most lucit
+ Judgment. we must be allowed to paus'
for moment in contemplative awe O
: that distinguished represent itive o
law and grammar, known in the annal
of Minnesota as Brown. Brown is
T genius-one Of those rare intellectual
9 prsdigies wrapped in close communion
t of self-satisfaction, soaring far abov'
the ordinary rules by which geniu
:, even is governed, and disdaining com
;, mon sense as entirely too common
thing for practical use. Brown evi
IDENTIFY appreciated the tribunal befor
whom he appeared, and, as if full.
, aware Of the decision already made
raised his ponderous sledge hamme
against the newspapers who ha
: been 50 rash rs to argue
= question Of great public interest, bu
:" which according to Brown exclusivel.
belongs to Brown and Austin.
He was sufficiently rebuked whe
y the Governor and Jennison informe
II him that his remarks had no bearin
is on the question, inasmuch as the poin
s. raised by the newspapers and by Nj
20 Gilman in his unanswerable argument
involved the constitutionality Of . 10
OF OF Minnesota and that the cuestio
:. Of the constitutionality Of a law I
a. Minnesota properly belonged to II
"a House Of Representatives Of the Unite
~ States to decide. This was the creal
=. q the caucus decision. All else
y mite bosh, too thin to merit . momeEt
= serious consideration. Because no o.
rs ever disputed that the duties Of tt
l. canvassing board are ministerial.
o was ministerial duty
\ reject . vote illegal on j
he face. Instead Of doing this, they CO
y stituted themselves into court Of II
h. resort, and decided what was the int
Ia ton Of = law Of the legislature Of
nd State. Their ministerial duties did n
n preclude them from ascertaining the
~ tention Of the law in favor Of their ?
:, lirical associate. Oh no!
No. It Was not necessary to seek IN
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