St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-06-30
BREAE~s AHEAD.


Consolidation, or the Capitalization of
power in the federal heal, was the one
rock which the trainers of the govern
ment attempted to steer clear of, be-
cause they regarded it as the most
serious menace to republican institu-
lions. And from the birth of the gov
eminent down to the present time it
has been the one great trouble with
those in authority to avoid this same
danger. Yet, Notwithstanding all the
lessons of the past and all the wisdom
of the sages, there now seems to be a
concerted movement on the part Of all
three of the departments of our govern
ment-the executive, the judicial and
the leglslative-to drive the ship of
state with full force upon this rock.
The tendency toward consolidation
has been plainly discernible in some
recent decisions of the federal supreme
court, in which the states have been de-
MED privileges that, up to this time,
were supposed to be inherent to their
very existence. The decision in the
Minnesota milk case was notable in
stance, and there are others that had
the same bearing. The electoral bill now
before congress, and which will unques-
tionably pass, is step still further in
the direction of centralizing power in
the federal government to the exclu-
sion of rights which have always been
supposed to belong to the states.
The executive department has not
expressed an opinion on this matter,
but this is case where silence is con-
strained into consent. The president
did not raise his voice when the SUI
preme court announced the new
doctrine that the states had not
the right to control their local affairs.
He did not deem it worth while to send
message to congress calling attention
to the danger to our republican system
imbedded in these decisions, and asking
that body to adopt legislation that would
protect the states in the enjoyment of
rights that had been conferred by the
constitution. 1t is Furthermore pretty
we'll understood in political circles that
the president will approve any sort of
an electoral bill that congress may pass.
So we feel justified in assuming that
there is conspiracy between the three
departments of the government to rob
the states of their constitutional pow
ers, and to consolidate all the power
that is possible in the federal head.
This revolutionary attempt at central
ization is justified by the powers that
be on the ground of party eXpedienc v
1t is being done because they regard it
as necessary to perpetuate Republican
supremacy. They look at it as poll
ticians, aud not as patriots. They do
not stop to consider the strair
they are making on constitutional
principles, but are simply actuated
by a desire to obtain the con
troll of the government in order thai
they may enjoy the spoils of Office and
be useful to the monopolies.
The GLOBE is no alarmist, but we liz
confess to feeling of apprehension for
the safety of our institutions as we OBJ
serve the willful and deliberate purpose
of this Republican administration tt
uSurp powers the constitution never in
tended to be vested in the federal gov
eminent. If the Republican party can
not live by following the beaten path:
of the constitution, then it ought to die
and the sooner it dies the better. Any
party which denies the right of home
rule, and seeks to curtail the powers O
local government, has no right to exis
on American soil. This is a government
of the people, for the people, and by thu
people; and by the Eternal, the people
are going to hold their grip on it.
The Republican leaders are mistaken
if they suppose those supreme court de
cisions and the passage of the electora