Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-22
THE MoWEn COUNTY IMBRoGLIo.

For many years local controversy has
existed in Mower county in this State which
has permeated every avenue in that COM
munity. 1t has extended to political, bust
ness, social and religious circles. Every
thing in heaven above and on the earth be-
low. so far as Mower county is concerned,
has hinged upon some turn in this great
conflict.
While it was purely local affair the
public at large could look on as spectators
merely leaving the combatants to wrestle
with each other unmolested. Recent events
have placed this contest beyond the limits of
Mower county, and without being partisans
of either side, other parties must necessarily
enter as actors upon the scene.
Judge Sherman Page has been the central
figure of the local contest on one side.
Whether or not the contest should have
been renewed beyond the local arena of it's
origin is not pertinent to the present situa
ton. The opponents of Judge Page have
presented their case to the Legislature and
after long Investigation, during which testi-
mony on both sides was taken. the Judiciary
Committee have unanimously sustained
considerable portion of the case against him
and a majority of that committee recon-
mended to the House his impeachment.
This action necessarily takes the matter
beyond the precincts of Mower county. The
question is now to be considered by the
Representatives of the State. Practically,
Undo Nv no NJ; IS ~, T,,1;o
Committee stands indicted and he is entitled
and should have a speedy trial upon the
merits of the case. The House, properly,
has no alternative save to order the impeach-
ment trial to proceed, and the friends of Judge
Page will make great mistake if they do
not to-day urge that prompt and immedi-
ate trial be granted. The House, cannot, of
course, consider the question upon the evi
dence, as that is too voluminous for such a
body to digest, and if they do not propose to
be guided by the recommendation of the
committee, they should never have entered
upon the matter. It would have, perhaps,
been the wise and proper course, for the
Legislature to have ignored the matter at the
outset, but having given it consideration,
the rest of the work is clear. It is matter
which ought not to have been placed upon
the State, but all that is too late to talk about
now. The matter of expense, which is much
mooted, should have been thought of when
the House had under consideration the ques-
ton of referring the matter to the Judiciary
Committee. Then the objection would have
been valid, and if properly presented
it would probably have defeated
action After indictments are found, trials
cannot be postponed, on account of expense,
and 1t is due the accused more than any one
else to have an early hearing Judge Page
ought to urge upon his friends to insist upon
the trial without delay. The case has been
gone over so thoroughly by the Judiciary
Committee, that the trial could be quite
speedy, and of short duration. The whole
rumpus is fast becoming stencil
III the nostrils of the people. and
there ought to be an end of it one wav
OF the other, Immediately. Judge Page
either is CT is not proper person to sit
upon the bench. He was placed there orig
inally i'll violation of the Constitution, but
that is not at issue now, but his fitness to re-
main there is raised in such manner that il
can only be determined by trial. and in be-
half of that portion of the public which
wishes to see this interminable con
troversy taken out of State affairs
'IHE GLOBE urges the Legislature to pro-
coed at once to complete the work which
having begun, can have but one proper con-
clus1on-namely, hearing before the Sen
ate Both sides ought to,agree upon this
course, even though it should be their last
agreement for all eternity.