St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-11-09

Some people are wondering why the
Alliance party didn't poll as big a vote
In st. Paul as in Minneapolis. There
was no actual reason why it should not
have done so. Since the local campaign
last spring. a strong independent feel
ing existed, and would have made itself
felt only that it was discouraged by the
very people who were supposed to he
wanting independent voles. The Farn-
ers' Alliance gave no official invitation
to delegates from labor organizations to
attend their convention which nomi-
mated state ticket. As result. only
three OF the fifty-tive labor organizations
OF st. Paul were represented there.
After the convention the Alliance CEN
tral committee did not think it pUltic to
consult the representative members of
the different unions, as to who would be
best fitted to manage the campaign in
st. Paul, but appointed man whose
record was so questionable that no COLI
ndence could be placed in him. Not
withStanding this the representatives
of at least two-thirds of the unions
and assemblies formed an in
dependent club, adopted the
Alliance platform and Endorsed
the state ticket. This club offered to
organize independent clubs i'm every
ward, and would Have assumed all ex-
pense connected with the local cam
paign, if it were represented on the AL
lance central committee 10y any man
who was known to be trustworthy and
sincere. The Alliance central commit.
tee preferred to get along without the
aid of organized labor in st. Paul, and
contemptuously dismissed the commit
tees from Surh bodfes. No Independent
campaign was carried OH. The central
committeeman and his associates were
content to indorse the nominees of the
other parties and let the independent
movement manage itself. The Alliance
central committee were warned that
they were losing thousands of voters
for Owen in st. Paul, but were like
. Thomas, of Bible fame: They could not
believe until they had seen. Now they
have seen. and wonder why st. Paul
only gave less than 1000 votes for Owen.
There was no feeling of antagOniSm to
ST. Paul, for the platform of the Alli-
ance party gave full recognition to the
interests of labor as set forth by the
state federation last summer. The
organized vote. If received, would have
been about 5000, and to the mismanage-
ment of the Alliance central committee
may be credited the loss of 5000 votes
here. In Minneapolis the campaign was
managed by energetic, honest men, and
the independent vote of 5000 shows the
contrast III the management of affairs
in the two cities. Of course it makes no
difference now, but it is always in order
to philOSOphiZe over defeat after cleo
ton. The above history is well known
in labor circles, and conceded to be the
true cause of the small Alliance vote in
st. Paul.
The general organizer for the A. F. of
l.. writes President Valesh, of the trade
and labor assembly, that Samuel Comp
ers is contemplating Western lecture
trip, which may include the following
cities, il proper arrangements can be
made: Cleveland, Evansville. st. Louis,
Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth,
Kansas City, Denver, Pueblo, Salt Lake,
Albuquerque, Tucson. San Diego, Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Sc
attic and Tacoma. The matter will be
brought before the trade and labor as
sembly next Friday, and, no doubt,
acted fayorably upon.
The failure of the street railway COM
pany to complete its contract on time
seems to arouse some discomfort in the
mlnQS or many classes or citizens who
have to depend upon the street railway
for transportation. Last spring the or
ganiZed WOrkingmen wanted to see the
people given an opportunity to vote on
the question of the exclusive control of
the franchise by private individuals.
This right was reserved to the people
by the provisions of the original char
ter, but the mere suggestion of such
action raised storm of indignation
among people who were satisfied with
the existing order of affairs. But, If the
street railway company proceeds with
its present policy, the taxpayers may be
anxiously seeking to record their vote
on the question at the next election.