St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-11-14
The Normal Condition Of the
Officeseekers Just
Now.
Bassfopd and His Letter Of
Inquiry to Governor
McGill.
Hubbard to Go on the State
Reform School Board
Soon.
Estes, Of Watonwan, May Be a
Candidate for Speaker Of
the House.

BY the publication of hitherto sup
pressed letter. the GLOBE may be able
to throw some light on the question as
to who will be Merriain's insurance
commissioner This letter was written
in the fall of 1886, after McGill was
elected. and was addressed to him. 1t
read as follows:
Winone, Minn-Why wouldn't 1 make a
good Insurance commissioner?
T. B. BAssFORD.
The governor evidently thought that
he wouldn't, for Shandrew was ap-
pointed and BaSsford ignored. Now it
is said that Bassford will apply to Mer-
ram. The place is a difficult one, and
made all the more SO by imperfect and
crude laws, whose intent the commits
'sioner is sometimes forced to jump at.
Commissioner Shandrew has held a posi-
ton in the insurance department for
years and is thoroughly versed as to Its
ms and outs. His retention is prob
Iematical unless, as reported. there is
concerted effort being made within the
party in his favor. He belongs to Gov.
McGilfs personal friends, and as Mer-
RAM is said to have them OH the list,
the guillotine may reach him.
A TARDY ACT.
Within short time it is highly prob
able that Gov. McGill will appoint l.. f.
Hubbard. of Red Wing, member of
the state reform school board to sue
coed Petit, resigned. Should this prove
true. Red Wing people will celebrate.
1t was one of the many political mis-
takes of McGill that, when the oDpOr-
tunity was his once before. he did not
select Red Wing man Tor that board.
Red Wing won the reform school in the
battle of towns by a fair vote, and, as
the victor, was entitled to all due recog
milton. directly OF indirectly Gov. Nc
Gill promised Red Wing citizens that
OH the expiration of Pettit's term (then
near at handl citizen of their place
should be appointed to the reform
school board. But when Pettit's term
did expire, in the face of the indigna-
ton of ked Wing people, McGill, yield
ing to other pressure, reappolnted him.
The effect OF this was to ALLEVIATE from
his cause in the Republican state cOn-
vention one of the most powerful Re-
publican counties in the state, And had
he been nominated, it is doubtful if
Goodhue county would have given him
One-half of the majority that she pre-
sented Merriam with. What he does
now Red Wing people regard as tardy
recognition of their just rights.
A NEW CANDIDATE.
1t is announced that within short
time w. Il. Estes, of Eiadeiia, and
member of the house, will come ont as
ID candidate for speaker next winter.
This will make three candidates for
{ that post in the field-Flynn, Graves
and Estes. Mr.. Estes was first elected
to the house in 1856, and in the session
of 1887 obtained prominence by his adj
yocacy and passage of the farmers in
stltute bill. He is wide awake and
,genial-two good qualities for candi-
date. He was reelected to the house
.tilis year by a majority of 74s. Through
Cottonwood, Rock, Jackson. Blue Earth.
LIE Sueur, Sibiey and other counties in
that section he is liable to draw c0nsid-
;erable strength. Southern Minnesota
naturally might prefer him to Flynn or
Graves.
NOT so BIG.
The Northwestern ProhibitiOnist pub
fishes partial returns from the counties
of the state. The Prohibition vote
polled does not by these returns promise
to much exceed 5000 Comparisons
are made with the votes of st. John and
Child: