St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-05-29
And Editor Dearth May Soon
Be Expected to Warm
It.
Deputy Todd Sings a Bitter
Pen, and "Politics Is
Politics."
His Excelleney's Eccentrici-
ties in the Way of His
Expressions.

There was vacant desk in the cap
itol yesterday-the desk of Assistant
Insurance Commissioner W. NJ. Todd.
The absence of this gentleman is sus-
picious, and assuredly foreshadows tb"
result of little confab which Gov.
Merriam ard Insurance Commissioner
Bailey had yesterday morning. Will
lam Todd has got to go. No official an
nOuncement has been made-that has
been deferred for few days, but Gov.
Merriam has already decided, and In
surance Commissioner Bailey we'll
understands it to be so, that
the post of deputy insurance
commissioner must be filled by E. Fl.
Dearth, of LIE Sueur. Mr.. Bailey de-
sired the retention of Mr.. Todd. He
pleaded and protested, but without
avail. Gov. Merriam will have nothing
to do with Mr.. Todd. His objections to
that gentleman are based solely upon
political grounds. Gov. Merriam ac-
knowledges that Mr.. Todd is well capa-
BILE of filling the post he has held for
two years; that he is an intelligent and
honest official. But he looks upon MI.
Todd as q political enemy, and says:
.'Todd, you have bitter pen and a
bitter tongue"
Here lies the sole offending cause,
ga bitter pen ard bitter tongue" Mr..
Todd is charged with writing and say
Jig bitter things about Gov. Merriam
when he was working for the RepuDll-
can nomination. "Ihey were SO bit
ter" says Gov. Merriam, that some
newspapers would not insert what you
wrote So MIR. Todd has got to go.
He, however, denies supplying news
paper articles condemnatory OF Gov.
Merriam, and challenged the citation
of papers to which such articles had
been sent and refused insertion. Nay.
he even offered to have the matter in
yestigated by
A COMMITTEE OF GENTLEMEN
but Gov. Merriam parted all MIR. TOdd's
appeals for hearing. lie had been
told so. That was sufficient for his pur-
pose, and Nil Todd could expect no re-
versal The position of deputy lHslr-
ance commissioner would come in very
nice for Mir. Dearth, who had not writ
ten bitter things about him, but mad
performed the role OF Literary iackey
with excellent commendation. A prom
ise had been made that she should be
provided for, "and that promise must be
fulfilled. Gov. Merriam is acting per-
fectiy within his rights in provid-
ing suitable appointments for his
supporters; he is merely follow
Inc in the footsteps of those
vino have preceded him. But the case
IN question is surrounded by circum.
stances which must be ecognlzed by all
falr-,ninded men. If Gov. Merriam be-
iieyes Mr.. Todd has a bitter tongue and
a bitter pen. and looks upon him rs
political enemy, the opinion is generally
and freely expressed that he Should
have Gecapitated him during the early
DAYS OF his administration. He did not
do this. On the contrary. Insurance
Commissioner Bailey plainly intimated
for two more years, and it was upon this
understanding he consented IT, remain.
The three past months have been full OF
work for the insurance department.. ne
cessitated by the completion of the an
nual report. 1t was delicate and diff
cult operation. and, MIR. Bailey being a
new appointee,
THE BRUNT OF THE WORK
has fallen upon his assistant. Mr. Todd
worked day and night. He has COM
pleted the report, and he is now told
that his services art no longer required.
Commissioner Bailey has obtained a
grasp or the duties tf his department.,
and will be able to instruct his new as
sistant, MIR. Dearth, ~ho is editor OF the
LIE Sueur News.
1t is not surprising that howl has al
ready been raised against sucn pro-
cedure in public office. The country
weekly editors are vehement in their
denunciatioi, of il. and the public gen
orally are at a loss to ind erstand what
Gov Merriam meant when he said: II
do not like this business of appointing
Elen to Office. Contrary to the belief
that some people have. l wish that these
Offices were to be flied by sosne one
else"