St. Paul daily globe., 1890-09-19
JOINT. DEBATES.

No doubt the candidates for governor
are among the most attractive features
of the fair at st. Cloud. and their pre-
sentatiol of the political questions of
the day is an occasion of much interest
and satisfaction to the people gathered
there. Still, there is feeling that
great opportunity is missed in the fail
ure TO effect joint discussion between
the two gentlemen who distinetively
represent the opposing phases of the
overShadowing tariff issue. Gov. MER-
RIAM could in no way better display
his versatility in affairs and identity
with the prevalent forces of his party
than in the defense of the policies
of the Republican platforms as Illus
trated in the tariff bill now hasten
ing to a conclusion. Mr.. VIII SON, OF
the other hand, would insist that the
people needed the least possible of the
SORT of protection provided in the Nc
KINLEY tariff measure, and attempt,
perhaps, TO show that the governor,
standing with his party, is not in line
with the interests of the farmers. But
whatever their special poses, discus
sion of the tariff by these two distin-
guished candidates could not fail to en-
liven the eXchequer of any fair, and be
of very great service to the people. The
Sophisms of partiSans and misconcep-
tiOnS of illiberality would be exposed
and a grand work be effected in
enlightening the public mind in
regard to the often misunder-
stood practical phases of this ad-
ministrative policy. 1t would not be
necessary to strictly coDfine the discus
sion to this question. There are various
national matters that could be elucidat-
ed, as the force bill, silver and other
measures, which would afford his ex-
cellency an opportunity to persuade the
hereto farmers that his party was on
the right side; and the state administra-
ton of the past two years might have
its achievements put in fascinating
rhetoric. Still, the chief incentive to
the joint debate would be found in the
tariff question. References to 1t at
times by Mr.. MERRIAM show that it has
been matter of inquiry and investiga-
tion with him. If he has grasped its
philosophy more vigorously, or deived
further into its intricacieS of detail,
than his opponent, his industry and
good fortune may afford him advantage,
and this will be freely conceded. There
has rarely been time when the farm
ers were more eager for discussion of
the questions that are pressing upon
public attention. They have never been
more inclined to listen to arguments
and accept facts undistorted by par
tisanship. Thousands of Democrats
would be thus brought to listen to the
persuasive speech of the governor, who
would not otherwise be accessible to
him. Such debates should not be
confined to the various fairs, but
made to cover the entire state.
This course has just been adopted
by the opposing candidates for
congress in North Dakota, the young
statesman on the Republican ticket
bounding heroically into the ring opened
to him. These tariff debates are be-
coming quite general in the country
when Republicans can be induced to
accept the opportunity. In many cases
they find it better suited to their pur-
poses to parade in glowing rhetoric the
war stories of the early Times and avoid