St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-20
Representative democrats.

| To the Editor Of the Globe.
ST. PAUL, April 17-Will you kindly
allow me few words in answer to the
communications of Hon. E. VI. Wilson and
! Veritas in the GLOBE in denunciatiOn Of
the plan adopted by the Democratic confer
ence few days since for making and for
| Warding applications for Office to Washing
| ton. Both these critics declare the confer
ence was composed of 'Self-cOnSututed
| leaders Of the Democratic party" and that
the plan adopted was simply the creation of
| two bosses by whom Minnesota patron
age was to be dispensed. Now let me put
against these mere assertions few facts.
FirSt-There is a national Democratic
administration which has the filling of a
| large number of offices, some of which are
! located in Minnesota, and are to be filled in
due time, without question, by Minnesota
Democrats.
Second-MinnesOta is unfortunately
strongly Republican in politics. and conse-
quently Minnesota Democrats are without
representation in congress.
Third-Neither the president, or the
heads of the departments, by whom the
Offices are filed, are personally acquainted
with the character, the fitness, or the party
services rendered by Minnesota Democrats,
emitting them to recognition by appoint
ments to Office
Under such condition of political affairs,
the question naturally arose as to the best
way In which the president and his advisers
could be informed with reference to appli-
cantS for office from the state. 1t was not
to be expected that these high officials
would allow themselves to be made party
to local scramble certain to occur for these
offices They were elected for other pur
poses, fact that parties carrying their local
contests to them to decide were soon given
to understand.
In the absence of other delegated author
ity, the state central committee appointed
by the convention which chose the delegates
assisting in the nomination OF President
Cleveland. and the last state convention
held; the delegates to the Chicago cOnven-
ton: the Democratic candidates for congress
last fail; the Minnesota members Of the ma
tiOnal committee, designated at the cOnven-
ton which nominated Mr.. Cleveland, and
the Minnesota member of the national con-
gressiOnal committee, were called together
i'll conference.
II these gentlemen did not constitute a
representative body, being as they are the
creatures of the very latest state and con-
gressional conventions held in the state,
and coming, as they do, from all sections Of
the state, then | confess l cannot conceive
what would constitute such body in a
state situated politically as is Minnesota.
This body could not possibly be in contin-
uous session to act upon applications and
| forward recommendations for office to
Washington, and so delegated that power
! to the member of the national committee
for the past eight years, Hon. p. II. Kelly,
and the chairman of the state central COM
mittee for the past four years, Hon,
NJ. DOran, when the applications
! should come into their hands through
proper channels, and bearing evidence that
the applicants in character, fitness and by
virtue of party service, were worthy the
places asked for, and that such appoint
ment was the wish of the party in the sec
ton directly affected.
This is all there is of ''bosssm" in the
matter. Under the plan an applicant for
Office has to get his home Endorsement as
complying with the requisites above stated.
with which he will unquestionably be able
TO secure the recommendation of the COM
mtteeman and congressional candidate in
his district. which in turn secures the in
dorsement of Messrs. Kelly and DOran and
the papers 90 on to Washington. By this
means the president and his advisers are
given to understand in an intelligent and
reliable manner the real wishes of the
Democratic electors, and the people di-
rectly interested in the matter. If such
proceeding is ''bOSsism" it is pity there is
not more of it. As there are many times
more applicants than there are offices to be
filed there will of course be con-
tests and disappOintments. but l submit
that the plan comes as near being DemocSatic
in its broadcast Sepse-relegates the mat
ter as close to the people-as could possibly
be done under the circumstances and that
under it the president and his advisers will
be better informed as to the wishes of Min
neSota Democrats, and the offices be more
ereditably and acceptably filled than would
be the case under any other plan. OF
course this does not cut any one off from
the right of petition to headquarters. ANY
one thinking the plan ''bossism1 has a per
feet right to ignore it and go direct to
Washington. This is free country. and
| there is no law. written or implied. com
polling an applicant for Office to 90 through
this formula, and all any person not liking
il has to do, is to go in to win on his own
responsibility. Respectfully.
j ANTS N Woon