St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-05-24
PARTY CONVENTIONS.

For some reason there is quite prev
alent disposition with the parties, par
ticularly the Republican, to present
their state tickets earlier than is Gus
tomary, except in the presidential years.
In Iowa, Illinois, Ohio. Indiana and sew
eral other states the conventions are to
be held in June. Whether there has
been an affiatus from high source diff
fused, and also shown in the attempt in
this state to have the convention in
June, or there is common feeling that
it is to be much harder season polit-
ically than usual, is not material to IN
quire. There's no doubt as to the pre-
vailing conviction with the Republicans
that mere party drift is not to take them
through this year. What they save they
know will cost them sweat and money.
didaGe or two no doubt was most
influential in this state in naming an
early day for the Republican state con :
vention. The inside party has less
danger of successful combination
against him by forestalIing the matter
and making it inconvenient for the du-
bious elements to come to the 'front.'
Where there are hot crowds of fighters
for the nominations early conventions
are usually judiciOus, to give time for
the sore headed and fractions to be re-
duced to straight work. Usually, how
ever, when ticket is nominated months
before the active work of the campaign
begins, it becomes an old story, and it
is harder task to revive interest in it
than in a ticket put in the arena at a
late hour, with the glow of the
convention enthusiasm fresh and
unabating about it. In spite of
innocentIy sounding disclaimers, it
will be understood that the Republi-
can state convention is to accept and
publish slate The earlier it convenes,
the less danger of fracture. Then there
is difficulty in making the platform the
Washington delegation has tried to
stand on adjustable to anything that
will do for this state. The situation is
widely different with the Democrats.
| Their platform is an old one, and has
no decayed and unsafe timbers in
it. The selection of candidates with
them has little of the embarrassment
that comes of long possession of the
offices and confident continuance. The
| only question will be of fitness and
availability. No strife for the honors
will mar the harmony and cordial unan-
unity of the party. Whether the party
convention is held early or late, the prin-
ciples to be proclaimed are the same,
and the selection of candidates will be
equally free from personal regard. The
time of the gathering of the Democrats
and reform elements should be dictated
mainly by the convenience OF the people
to be represented. The farmers, so far
as there has been authorized and intel
| ligent expression, are moving in the di-
rection of tariff reform and reduction of
taxes. They should have large part
in the shaping of organized support of
their views. A much later date than
the Republicans have selected would be
needful to meet the convenience of the
farmers in all parts of the state. 1t will
be remembered that GARRISON, in his
recent moan over the decadence of the
Republican press, said that the stump
| and the brass band were to be diminish
Ing features of political campaigns.
There was to be more discussion of
public questions than appeals to parti-
san feeling. The newspaper press was
to be the chief influence and channel of
effort. The Democratic campaign has
been going right along since the party
ensigns were laid away in November,
1888. The Republicans at Washington
have contributed royalty to its progress
in their attempts at legislation. No
need appears for following the example
of the Republicans by an early conven-
ton in this state. The people will be
too busy trying to make and preserve
crops to give much time to the machin-
cry of politics in the early part of the
wear. If they are to have more tariff
taxes to pay. increased effort will be
needful to meet them.