St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-12
ANEARLY CONVENTION.

The Republican papers of this state
are having quite an animated discus
sion over the date for holding the next
Republican state convention, and, judg
ing from the acrmony injected into the
discussion, we are led to believe that
there are several colored gentlemen
concealed somewhere in the WO0dpie.
We have observed that the papers
which are recognized as MERRIAM
organs are favorable to an early conYen
ton, while those which do not take kind
lY to the present state administration are
opposed to it,. AS no special arguments
have been advanced by the governors
partiSans for holding an early conven-
ton, other than that it is good thing to
do On general principles, we take it that
the governor has the wires laid for re-
nomination, and is anxious to have the
job done before the opposition has an
opportunity to crystalline. In fact, the
opposition seem to view it in this light,
for they present no argument against
an early convention except the statement
that a majority of the Republican voters
are opposed to Gov. MERRIAM's nomina
ton, and they should have time to look
around for available gubernatorial
timber.
1t is no matter of ours whether the
Republican convention is held early or
late, but, viewing it from or impartial
standpoint. we are better able to get an
unprecedented view of the situation than
the politicians who are angrily quarrel
ing over the question of date. AS it
LOOKS to US, we believe it would be
shrewd stroke Oh the part of
the MERRIAM managers to have an
early convention. That is, so far as
the nomination itself is concerned.
But, looking beyond the convention,
between the time of the nomination and
the time for the election, we are equally
as confident that it is going to hur the
nominee. There is nothing pays SO
we'll in politics as fairness. This thing
of taking snap Judgment on an oppo-
nent always reacts. and the man who
does it is sure to suffer for his indiScre-
ton. The great body of the people are
conservative and just. and whatever
possesses the element of unfairness is
repulsive to them.
1t is observable that the clamor raised
by the governors partisans for an early
convention has grown much louder
since our city election. There seems
to be an impression that the result of
that election has materially damaged
the Ramsey county machine, and things
arc not running as smoothly as before
the election. There are a good many
sore heads and sore hearts, and 1t so
happens that the sufferers charge their
misfortune to that wing of the Repub-
lican party with which the governor is
accustomed to train. Hence it is
deemed advisable by the governors
friends to have the primaries over with
and the Ramsey county delegates Sc
lected before the soreheads have had
time to organize.
The Republican state central commit
tee will meet in this city during the
present week to fix the time for holding
the convention; and, as majority of
the committe are supposed to be MER-
RAM men, there is very little doubt but
that call will be issued, and the con-
vention will be held in June, or very
early in July.
This will neceSsitate movement on
the part of the Democrats, and the
prospects are that we are to have long,
tedious campaign. The Democrats,
however, will have no reason to grum-
bic at this, as they are expected to con-
duct an educational campaign. and the
more time they have for imparting in
formation on the tariff question the
better it will be for the Democracy.
The Republicans are expected to squirm
out from under the protection plank in
their national platform, and get over on
to Democratic ground. But their regu-
lar biennial shifting on the tariff is not
likely to have as much effect this year
as in times past. Platform declarations
in favor of tariff reform will not
amount to much as long as Repub-
lican congressman are down at Wash
ingtcn voting for MCKINLEY's cast-iron
protection bill.
Our Judgment is against long state
campaign, but if the Republicans want
to force it the Democrats are willing to
| fight it out on the tariff line if it takes
all summer and late into the fall.