Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-22
IiLlsbalry,s Pyetenses.
To the Editor of the Globe:

There is an important and rapidly increas-
ing element of the Republican party in this
State-loyal, staunch and, true as Republicans;
but, because there are Republicans opposed
to the heaping up of political Offices in the
hands of the same individual, by the Pills.
bury papers this element has been character
lied as animated by petty spite, personal
jealousy, and as false to principle. Because
they believe that John Plllsbury is unworthy
of further political preferment they are de-
nounced as recreant to the great principles
of the party. There are some characters,
like certain clothes, if held up too long in
the light, they betray the fimsiness of both
wool and warp. John has been so long ex-
posed to the public gaze that his faults and
flaws are becoming apparent. Had he been
a wise man he would have retired at the end
of his present term, grateful for the unde-
served charity of the people.
AS it is we'll known that the Governor
seeks re election, and is using every means
to obtain it, the question naturally occurs,
What particular motives induced him to
claim the suffrages of the people for the
third time? Was it for the sake of the sal
ary? This is hardly likely, as he does not
need it, though he is said to draw it with
the most commendable regularity. Or does
he hope by longer continuance in Office to
elevate his humble mediocrity to the level of
the great Governors Of the State the Sib-
leys and the Ramseys, say? Or again, does
he hope that during his next term he can
pave his way into the United States Senate?
1t can hardly be believed that John is so ut
terly destitute of self knowledge
as to seek position equally
notifying to himself and discreditable to
the State. With his schoolgirl oratory and
total ignorance of the great questions of the
day he would cut fine figure in the Senate
along with the Hamlins, the Blaines, the
Edmunds, and the Morrills. Oh, it is not
an orator that we want, but a practical man
in the committee-room! Does any one who
really knows John believe that he would be
anything more than plant tool in the
hands of stronger men :?
The fact is the governor has not a single
fixed political principle. On all the great
questions of the day he has not single
clear idea. "Pennock, what are my ideas on
the currency question % "Why, John, you
believe that the initiation of the currency
should be limited only by the demands of
the people, "That's it, that's it, Penno *,
those are exactly my principles,
but say it once more, I
Minneapolis, where he listens to.a discussion
of the question from an opposite point of
view,- land SO John ceases to be q Pusyjte
and becomes the hardest kind of hard
money man. This, I believe, represents fairly
his amount of political capital. Well, say his
friends, John may not be great, but he is
honest and good. The Governor is the most
crafty wire puller in the State. For years
before his first nomination he had been paw
ing the way fox the Office. The grasshopper
plague he hoped to turn to account ir &c.
curing his third term. There is no doubt
that he worked zealously in relieving the
needy and suffering. Bnt did he do more
than was his duty-did he do more than any
of his predecessors could have done2 I
souls thought, and still think, that
John relieved their wants out of his own
pocket and at his own expense Did he take
any call to inform them that the aid fur
nished was contributed by the State? /
think not. 49, ....-
Now, will any friend of the governors tell
US what his claims. are to third term? We
have scores of just as honest men, and hun
dreds of ADLER men. What single merit
does he possess that renders re- election
fitting and proper?
notice that recent number of the Tri-
bune, think, notes as a recommendation of
the governor, that he has no connection with
the many "rings" of the State. Perhaps I.
do not understand the meaning of the word.
The governor is one of the most prominent
members of the Millers' association, which
is generally thought to be ring; and he is a
member of firm controlling vast pine
Hand interest. Some suppose the latter to be
a ring, too.
Will not the farmers of Minnesota under
stand that the Governors interest and theirs
are as Numerically opposed to each other
as light is to darkness. His interest is to
keep wheat down to the lowest price-their
interest is to get the most possible. AID as
a lumberman his interest is to take the last
penny out of their pockets by an advance in
the price of lumber. There is probably no
man in the State whose interests are 80 d.
rectly opposed to those of the people as John
Pillsbury.
As to Gilman we have little to cav. On
fortunately for his reputation he has taken
less care in covering up his tracks than Pills
bury. But we regard him as Johns equal
in all respects equally pure, equally honest
and equally great. r. B.