St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-04
CONGRESSMAN RICE.

almost among the poor and the laboring
classes. and they have fiOcked to his sup
port practically in body. These are the
things which are responsible for AmeS'
phenomenal run, and which, also, had a
powerful effect upon the elections in the
congressional districts. McGilPS admitted
incompetency and his nonOpolistc associa-
tons, and the personal popularity of Ames,
coupled with the qualifications which made
him the idol of the masses and the recOg-
niZed friend of the farmer, the laboringman
and the soldier, are largely responsible for
the result of the gubernatorial eanYaSs, by
which the usual Republican majority was
reduced more than 35. 600. The results in
the congressional districts are due largely
to the same causes and influences; but the
popularity and superior qualifications of
the Democratic candidates had great deal
to do with it. AS to the First district, Judge
Wilson is recognized as one of the ablest
and pureSt men in the Northwest. His
eminent services as a chief justice of the
supreme court, judge of the district court
and state senator greatly endeared him to
the people. regardless of politics. and his
reputation as nOn-partisan and just man
made him
a TOWER OF STRENGTH
in himself. His spotless reputation, his
valuable public services and his known legal
ability were the only campaign weapons he
needed or made use of. On the contrary,
his opponent, John A. Lovely, was person
ally unpopular at his own home and his
reputation was not the best. He had no
record of public service; he had none of
the qualifications to fit him for such an
Office; he captured the primaries by methods
hn of h.
macy of his nomination at Kasson has al
ways been questioned. The fight against
Wilson was the fierceSt in the state. There
was everything in Wilson's favor to secure
the support of the voters, and they repudi-
ated Lovely's pretensions as rebuke to him
and warning to the party not to make such
nominations again. Such extreme measures
have to be taken occasionally to purify
party. In The Third district Judge Mac
Donald had pretty much the same cOndi-
tiOnS in his favor. He had served as a district
judge for ten or twelve years. and was known
as an able and upright man. He had never
been an active partisan and therefore COM
manded the support of the independents
and a large number of Republicans. His
opponent. B. B. Herbert, was weak be-
cause he was looked upon as man of
small mental caliber, although his personal
reputation was good. Judge Macdonald.
it was considered, would reflect more credit
upon the people Of the district and this, as
much as anything else, operated to defeat
Herbert. In the Fourth district Mayor
Rice'S personal popularity in Ramsey
county with all classes and especially with
the laboring men, enabled him to poll
nearly six thousand majority and gain his
election. If Hennepin county had given
the support to Rice that was expected he
would have had between 10, 200 and IL, 900
majority. Gilfillan, his opponent. had to
face some unpleasant charges about corrup-
ton, and his one term in congress proved
him to be man of no influence or special
talent for the place. The Democratic gains
in the legislature are also gratifying
But the victory is great enough as it is
The Democrats will do better next time.