St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-08-01
NOT TO BE CREMArED.

Although Col. PLUMMER and JUD LA
INQUIRE figured as HANsBRoUGH men
dn the Republican convention at Grand
Forks, Influenced probably by the pro-
1bition question, the overthrow of the
present congressman and success of
JOHNSON is essentially the triumph of
the element that recognizes ALEX Nc
KENZIE as It's head and inspiration. 1t
ENSURES the control of the party to the
men who lost their grip for the time
when MILLER became governor. The
issue was entirely on the candidate for
congress. Neither side felt strong
enough TO complcate the situation with
any other positions. MILLER prudently
drew out in advance when he saw that
the current was against him. and no
other man of his stamp cared to make a
hopeless fight. To outside appearances it
WaSa very strange course taken by JOHN
son in demanding the position of con-
gresham and going into the camp of
the enemy, as it were, to obtain it. The
obvious aim for him was to vindicate
himself as the rightful senator by be-
coming the candidate for that position.
He had sought it last winter and con-
fessedly had the nomination of his
party in caucus, but was swindled out
of it by trickery. What is more nat
ural than that he should ask for the
seat now held by PIERCE. For one of
his abilities and ambition the Office of
governor would have small attractions.
That was in his easy grasp, as were APP
nd
Thea, too, the congressional situation
was held by one who had fortified him
self in the position by giving the farm
ers' wives five cents dozen more for
eggs, and a tariff on cabbages and hay,
as well as bya judicious use of federal
patronage. The defeat of HANsBRoUGH,
who had also the lavish and act
i've support of the Great Northern rail
way, seemed absurd. Why, then, JOHN
son chose the more doubtful chance for
two-year term in the house in
place of the reasonable assurance
of seat in the senate, is one
of the conundrums that probably
could be most clearly explained by the
parties to the negotiations of the early
campaign, that, it was matter of boast,
were in writing. This passage must be
left to conjecture. The anomalies of
the situation are that professed anti
lottery man was brought out by the
special manipulators of that industry,
and had the almost unanimous support
of that crowd. A voluble Prohibition
ist, he has the solid support of the in
terest that seeks to do away with the
constitutional feature and leave the law
to the mercy of its enemies while unre-
peaIed. These were powerful elements
of strength. In addition. he had the
prestige of being tariff reformer. He
is presumed to stand with KNUTE Nell
SON in opposition to protective legisla-
ton and to be willing to expand Mr..
BLAINE'S reciprocation almost indefin-
itely. In addition to these sources of
strength and the solid vote of his
nationality, it was understood that be
and his friends would go out of the
convention in body if he was de-
feated. This was menace Of ruin to
the party that had its effect. Still
further, the soft and delicate hand of
Senator PIERCE was felt effectively.
JOHNSON would be dangerously in his
way for election to the senate next
winter if he was not sent to the other
house. Still, it by no means insures to
the urbane senator perpetuation OF
the result of the happy accidents that
made it so advantageous for him to hold
residence so far from the home of his
choice.
But this result at Grand Forks should
not be taken by the Louisiana iniquity
as likely TO open a door to possible
needed refuge. The later thought OF