St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-22
THAT DOODLE CRY.

posses are, ana now reSllNe anu iTttiul
they grow over anything that looks like
INSTRUMENTATION on the part of the rank
and file of the party. The terrible man.
ner in which MIR. MERRIAM and his
managers apply the lash to the shout
ders of MeSSrS. SCHEFFER and ACKER-
MANN through the columns of the Pho
neer Press is an Illustration in point.
The height of Mr.. ACKERMANN'S Of
Tending is that he is an honest German,
who refused to serve on the campaign
committee that was organized to pro-
mote the election of candidate who, as
he believed, had bought his nomination.
Mr.. SCHEFFER'S Offense consisted in
the possession of a manly independ-
ence, which untitled him to be wor-
shipper at the altar of the golden calf.
Hence the edict went forth from the
council of the bosses that horrible eX-
amples must be made of SCHEFFER and
ACKERMANN. They were ordered to be
flogged. And they are getting it.
1t is possible, however, that the bosses
will find out later on that they have
made a horrible mistake. The average
Teuton is not person to be easily bull
dozed. But beyond all this there is
principle at stake, which is dearer to
the heart of every honest man and
honest bipartisan than party discipline,
or even party success. There is a wide
spread impression, which amounts to an
absolute conviction in the minds of the
masses of the voters, that the Republi-
can nominee for governor owes his
nomination to a generous dlstriDu-
ton of money. This impression
did not gain ground, as the Pho
neer Press asserts, because of
the nominees reputed wealth. Other
rich men have been candidates for office
in this state, who were not charged with,
nor even suspected OF making an i'm
proper use of money in furthering their
political ambitions. Being a Million
aire is no disqualification TO officehOld-
ing. provided the candidate does not
make his wealth the instrument OF his
political promotion. The theory of re-
publican government is that the poor
man and the rich man shall have equal
chances for political preferment, and
he who contributes toward the over
throw of this idea is traitor to repub-
lican institutions and does not merit the
support of American citizens.
The GLOBE does not undertake to say
at this time whether the accusations
made against the Republican candidate
for governor are just Or unjust. Nor
are we engaged in the business of rak-
ing up proof, either in support or denial
of them. The Republicans themselves
are busily enough engaged in that work,
without aid or Interference on our part.
We only speak of those things that are of
such common notOriety as to be known
of all men. ButthiS much we do know;
if the Merriam organs rely upon the
plan of defense inaugurated by them,
their candidate will be most wOfully
left in the wind-up. BroWbeating and
villificatiOn do not take the place Of
proof and argument Denial by indi-
rection does not satisfy public who
want a square statement backed up by
indisputable proof. The affidavits and
counter-afiidavits of a couple of Fin
landeTS in the northern part of the state
cut very little figure in the public mind
so far as the impression has gone abroad
that the Republican candidate for gov
ernor bought his nomination.
If Mr.. MERRIAM is guiltlesS of the
charges that have been made against
him. it is the easiest thing in the world
for him to say so. If he is an innocent
man, there is nothing in tine world to
prevent him from speaking right out
and declaring his innocence. That is
the course that innocent men unjustly
accused usually pursue. Let Mr.. MER-
RAM stand up openly before the people
of this state and challenge the proof of
the accusations that have been made
against him. If the proof exists, it will
be forthcoming. If il is not forthcom-
ing. then he will be acquitted.
viii he do it?