St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-16
MINNEAPOLIS.
ELECTION AFTERMATH.

The election was held nearly two week
ago. but it was such complete turning out
of the party which has so long done as it
pleased in the state and, to a certain extent
in Hennepin county, that interest i'll the re-
suit has failed TO die The usual sudden death.
The public is on tip toe of anxiety to
know what the incoming Off
Gals propose doing. There is reason
for this anxiety. The Republicans in the
recent contest went before the people on no
Platform whatever, so far as the city and
county were concerned. They could say
nothing in eStenuation of what they had
done; they dared make no promises of re-
form to the people, because they had already
broken too many such; SO they did the only
reasonable thing. and kept quiet. But reti
eence didn't save them. They had violated
party pledges so repeatedly that the people
were "onto them as they say III Fargo.
and gave them the reward which they de-
served. Ever since election the Republican
papers have been keeping up continual tire
OF predictions as to what the Democrats will
do. 1t is unnecessary 10 say that all OF those
foreShadowingS were the products of highly
imaginative brain. some of them pretty ac-
curate il may be, for representations OF de-
slrable reforms were mingled With whole as
a sort of leaVen, but, as whole, these
authoritative statements from Democratic
leaders" were Pigments of a disordered
mind. Meanwhile the Democratic officers,
elect have said nothing, have "bucRed up
some wood and have done heap of think
ing. The only reasonable deduction is that
the men elected 10 office by the Democrats
are leVel-headed fellows not given to sloD-
ping over. The newly-elected have attended
to their own business strictly,and man capa-
bic of managing his own affairs discreetly
ean be depended upon 10 do the same with
affairs entrusted 10 MIN.
The most persistent rumor promulgated by
these self-appointed guides of the Democrats
hnc tafNr.
Of chief of police. Bernard Cloutier and
Maj. r. r. Henderson have been installed at
The head of the police department fully seven
times since the result of the election became
known. yet neither of these gentlemen has
been named. Both are good men, and
either would undoubtedly make an
Efficient superintendent but 1t is doubtful if
either would accept it. At any rate. they
have not yet been appointed. Nor is IL al all
likely that P. B. Winston has yet made Sc
lection for that place. He Knows of course,
who will be named by him, but the public
won't know it until the proper time arrives,
elected, understands fully that he has not yet
been installed as mayor. He is not the man
10 begin the administration of an Office until
ne has entered upon the performance OF its
duties.
Underneath all this gossip concerning the
head of the police department there has been
an undercurrent OF comment on possible
changes in the whole department. The ques-
lion is being asked, What is the use of
guperseding Chief Brackets" There may
not be much use i'll making change there,
10 far as use is concerned, but it might as
we'll be asked w hat is the use in holding
elections?' or, What is the use of making
any changes in any offices?" The head of
The police department has always been
looked upon as q political office in Minneap-
oils. 1t might be well to remove it from the
domain of politics. but it has never been
done. While the condition of affairs remains
as at present. Mr.. Bracket should be consid-
cred no more than any other man. There
are men who would fill the Office just as well
IS he has.
But whether any change at all is made in
the head OF the department, there should be
a few changes among the subordinate
officers. The Minneapolis police department
contains few Of the most policy men" to
be found on earth. Police officers have no
business mingling in politics. For keeping
put of the late contest Chief Bracket is to be
commended, but some of his officers did not
follow his example. They were most often
Eivelypartisan and have since voted all their
time and talents to ''squaring' themselves
Such men should not be tolerated. But that
Ii not all that can be brought against these
same men. They are the ones who have been
conspiring against their superior officers in
order to advance themselves. They have in
one or TWO cases gone so Tar as to file false
charges against efficient officers And they
Nearly all of them bear titles. A little light
and judieious use of the headsmans ak will
DO considerable good in the Minneapolis po
lice department
All during the campaign the political enc
mics of Z. P. Swensen, the sheriff-elect did
their utmost TO stir up feeling againsr that
gentleman by industriously circulating the
report that he was trading other men on the
Ticket for his own benefit A glance at the
returns is sufficient to disprove the charge
MIR. SWensen, it IS true, ran ahead of the
balances of thee ticket but the same thing
viii beinoticed in relation to every ticket in
he field. Look at the vote cast for j. E.
Egan Tor county surveyor. He is the man
whom Swensen was most openly accused of
Sacrincing, yet E2an was but a few hundred
behind the candidate for sheriff. 1t doesn't
ook as II Swensen traded much.
rs
There is one candidate for the position Of
city clerk who possesses considerable
ability for the place. That is E. G. O'Don-
nell, the efficient clerk of the health depart
ment. When the council comes to appoint
Clerk Haney's successor, O'Donnell will be
found to have considerable strength. He
would not be novice in that position. Mr..
O'Donnell's father was for years clerk of the
assembly in New York state. corresponding
to the Minnesota house of representatives.
and Mr., O'Donnell acted as his deputy. He
possesses, probably, greater qualifications
Tor the office than any man who has been
mentioned.
A meeting Of the Cleveland club has been
called for tomorrow evening ct the club
rooms, 421 Nicollet avenue. The campaign
is over and the club wants TO close up all
business.