St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-04-26

In the early days of this republic only
the ablest and most distinguished men
in the several states were thrust into
high public stations, and ability and
character were the main qualifications
looked for in every candidate. But it
has been a very long time since such
tests were applied to the men
who have passed into and out
Of the Office of chief eXecu-
live of Minnesota. A party machine,
clogged and muZZled with the rust of
thirty years of corruption, chooses the
governor of Minnesota every two years.
Under the circumstances it would be
decidedly new departure if the DemC-
cratic party should take up man like
Judge Severance. of Mankato, place
MIN ia the field, and the people then
turn in and elect him governor. Judge
Severance has long been widely known
as an eloquent and learned lawyer, as
well as an able Judge, and his candidacy
would add great strength to the whole
ticket.
Judge Martin J. Severance was born
In Shelburne Falls. Mass, Dec. "a, 1896,
and is consequently now in his sixty
fourth year. He received an academic
education, and studied law. He came
10 Minnesota in 1856, and has ever since
made his home in the state. He was
prominent in state politics early in the
SOS, and was a member OF the lower
house of the state legislature in the SeS
sion of 1852. In August of that same
year Judge Severance enlisted as pri-
vate in Company l, of the Tenth Min
nesota regiment. April 4, 1864, he
was promoted to the captaincy of the
same company. After particl-
pating in some of the most
sanguinary conflicts of the war,
Judge Severance was mustered out
of the service id 1866, and at once re-
turned to his adopted state and resumed
the active practice Of his profession.
His reputation as lawyer was such
that, iipon the appointment Of Judge d.
y. Dickinson, then judge of the dis
trict court of the Sixth judicial district,
to 4 vacancy on the bench Of the SUI
preme c0Urt Of the state, all eyes We're
turned toward Judge Severance as the
man to succeed him as Judge of the
Sixth district. When the fact that
Judge Severance had always been
known as staunch Democrat is taken
into consideration, this appointment,
coming. as it did, from Republican
chief executive, was not only high
compliment. but also decided tribute
to his learning and ability as a juriSt.
He has since been reelected withou t
opposition. and is to-day probably the
most popular Judge in the state.
As an orator Judge Severance is cele-
brated throughout the state. When
Grand Army posts want an address
filled with the most beautiful flowers of
speech. they turn to the soldier, judge
and orator of Mankato, and their fond
est hopes are realized. Old settlers of
The Minnesota valley, who were ac-
quainted with the judge years ago,
know something of his political abili-
lies. and. il he were nominated for gov
ernOr, they insist that nc would make q
lticai atmosphere of Minnesota as it
hasn't been stirred for long time. His
brilliant army record would bring him
the support of the old soldiers, while his
reputation as an honest and incorrupti-
bic man would win votes from
that larger and constantly lncreaS-
ing body of citizens who are
disguised with the present order of
things. 1t would be passing strange,
indeed, if the people of Minnesota were
to refuse the services of man like
Judge Severance, ripe with years and
experience. were he to be offered as a
candidate for governor of the state.
Although Judge Severance has now
been on the bench and removed from
active politics fer nearly ten years, the
Democracy of the state still treasures
him as one of its brightest
lights and there is never a
state convention of the party at which
candidates for justices Of the supreme
court are to be named, that the name of
Judge Severance is not brought for
ward. At the last state convention
only the request of Judge Severance
himself prevented the convention from
paying him as well as itself the high
honor of placing his name upon the
state ticket as a candidate for seat II
the highest judicial bench in the state.
The Democratic party, however, may in
the future decline to allow the modest
Mankatoan the privilege of declining
in advance such honors, and those who
know the Judge best say that his inter
est in the success and ultimate triumph
Of Democratic principles would not al
low him to decline to enter the party's
active service once more were he called
upon by the representatives of the Min
nesota Democracy. Such men as Judge
Severance are a credit to any party, and
II will be great day for Minnesota
when they are again pushed to the
H. II .,,Es