St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-10-31

senators. This gentleman's appointment
was urged upon every ground of party expe-
diency. The welfare of the states public
works and of the treasury was of secondary
consideration, Gov. Cleveland heard what
the senators had to say. Ne examined the
documents in the case and found them regu-
lar by the pBrty standard. There were other
candidates no better fitted by special training
for the place, but this one was the favorite
with the politicians. Gov. Cleveland was
noncommittal, but at the proper time he sent
to the senate for confirmation the name
OF the present superintendent, James
Shanahan, whose best, if not whose only,
Endorsement was his intimate knowledge
OF the business he was responsible for. He
had long been connected with the construc-
ton department of the canals, and had
served as division superintendent, part of
the time under Republican superintendent.
In the Democratic party in this state there is
not, perhaps, more capable man, nor one
more trustworthy for this important place.
He has rough exterior, and bold, blunt
way of meeting difficulties, whether they be
breaks in the canal banks or opportunities
for places for unfit men. When he was
named for superintendent fair-minded Re-
publicans said the governor was beginning
well for 'new man."
The next important appointment Gov
Cleveland made was that of John A Mccall,
Sr., to be superintendent of the insurance
department. 1t was at the time conceded
by captious critics and by disinterested par
tisans to be an ideal appointment. Mccall
entered the department as messenger when
he was boy. He had risen through every
grade of employment to that of deputy super
intendent, holding positions under both Re-
tfa ~, IN,
He was deputy superintendent during two
Republican terms, and was chief clerk during
| another. When Orlan W. Chapman was APP
pointed to the superintendent in 1872, young
Mccall was about the only clerk who did not
ask to be retained. Believing that grand
change would be made by the new superin-
tendent, he put his desk in order, left the
KEYS for his successor, and informed his
chief that everything was ready for whoever
might take his chair. The chief told him he
liked his appearance and his style of work,
and that he would be retained. Through
every administration afterward he was in
reality acting superintendent. When Gov.
Cleveland came to know his record he ap-
pointed Mccall to the head of the depart
ment and thanked his stars that so fit man
was at hand. For this place the politicians
had another man-one of their own kind.
He had for years been conspicuous in the
| conventions, was good stump-speaker, had
been representative in congress, where, on
one or two critical occasions, he had in his
own way fought battles for his party. His
claims for recognition were stoutly urged
upon the governor, and disaster was pre-
dicted if his appointment was not made To
these opportunities Mr.. Cleveland turned
deaf ear, and sent to the senate the name of
the insurance expert, Mccall.
Then came the responsibility of appointing
man to carry on the work of building the
new capitol. The legislature cut off the ex-
officio commission and provided for single
headed commission to be appointed by the
governor and confirmed by the sepate. Gov.
Cleveland was in favor Of this change. He
found the building still in a backward state,
Notwithstanding the expenditure OF over
S13, 900, 600, and his practical sense led him
to believe that the working force should be
reorganiZed. When it was seen that the
singie-headed commission bill was to be
passed scramble of the politicians took
place for the new spoils. Cleveland's mo-
ton that practical builder of large exper-
fence, who possessed architectural as well as
mechanical capacity, ought to fill so impor-
tant an Office. The politicians presented
again the name Of the gentleman whom they
and again pleaded party expediency. This
candidate had had no experience to prepare
him for the work of building the capitol
Republican senators recommended the
former superintendent of construction,
who was competent, perhaps, but who had,
with everybody else connected with
the work, fallen into a rut from
which the governor desired to lift the enter
prise. He said openly that he did not care
whether the proper man was Republican or
Democrat since politics and architecture
are not readily found in one and the same
man. In the midst Of the canvass which the
politicians were making for their favorites,
the governor by chance heard of Isaac G.
Perry, OF Binghampton, and learned that he
was a builder of large experience. He sent
a man to inquire about Perry, and to ascer-
tain both what he had done in his line and
also what was said of his work by those best
acquainted with it. The report of the mes
senger being favorable, Perry was invited to
Albany to see the governor. He came, sup
posing that he might be wanted as an expert
to examine some part of the building. When
he was offered the position of commissioner
and was made acquainted with the response
bility of the place. he declined to accept until
he had fully considered the matter. When,
few DAYS after, his name was sent to the
senate, the politicians were surprised, be-
cause they had never heard of Mr.. Perry in
connection with politics. He is, like Shana-
han OF the canals, sturdy architect and
builder, full OF ''horse sense pertaining to
his business, a good judge Of men ana their
work in his line, and total abstainer per-
sonally from political manipulation. His
work on the capitol shows for itself,
and what it is is his own. He is
not an Office builder. nor a commissioner
merely in name. When the Republican
senate committee investigated his work last
winter they acknowledged that he was pro-
per man to have charge Of IL
The four appoiutees above referred to-
private secretary, superintendent OF public
works, superintendent Of insurance and
commissioner for building the new capitol
show Gov Clevelsnd's idea of how public
offices should be filed. Because he refused
to reward partisan service with public trust
he has fallen into disfavor with the spois-
men Of his party. They united TO defeat his
nomination, and hid their real cause Of
enmity behind other public acts of the Cover
nor, which on close examination will be
found 10 be as cOmmendabie az his appoint
ments have been. The record of his appcint-
ments NAV tend TO dispel The notion that
because he Is not an old stagcr IN national
politics be will be easily fooled by those Of
bis party who are cid slagers, and also to re-
lieve the fear that because his party did not
elaborate civil service reform plank in the
Chicago platform, he viii, If elected, not feel
hound to sustain that reform. Besides
recommending and signing the civil service
laws that have been enacted since he came
into the governorship, he has by his appoint
ments shown that be needs no party
plank or platform to suggest OF back bin