St. Paul daily globe., 1891-05-08
THE DAKOTA AIDEA.

There is very able and very hand
some man now at the head of the Min
neapOlis Tribune, who has recently
come to the state somewhat chastened
IN spirit after wrestling match of no
little violence with one ALEXANDER
MACKENZIE, the king of North Dakota.
He is very we'll informed Oh many sub
jects, and has particularly strong opin-
ions on questions of national politics.
He Signalized his advent to Minnesota
by boldly hauling in a slightly distorted
WOOdcut of the Jingo chieftain, JAMES
GILLESPIE BLAINE, which had en-
livened the editorial page of his paper
tor many moons, and has since attracted
public attention by brilliant series of
articles on American archaeology, the
purpose of which has been to prove that
WILLIAM HENRY HARRIsoN's hat is
not as shabby as it might be. and that
by dint of a little duSting it may be
made to last for four years more He
has been doing his share of the dusting,
and if the president has noticed his
Jealous muscles the ex-senator from
North Dakota will probably get some
Ai9iiNA IAlull a. DlloolOll W JdDdtl,
should all 60 we'll with his plans.
The Dakota idea of Minnesota geog-
raphy and political history, however, is
not so happy one; and although there
is plenty of evidence that the editor of
the Tribune is using his gaZetteers and
legislative manuals with some care, he
clearly has not yet mastered these SUBJ
Jects completely enough to warrant his
criticiSing with directnesS local men
and measures. The last Legislature has
been picked at with more venom, per-
haps, than any similar body which ever
sat in the state capitol; aud, even now
that it is dead, its enemies rise UP in
moments of eXhilaration iand call it
cursed. This is all very well, because it
fills space, but the Tribune would do
we'll when it ventures in this line to
light on something else than the appor-
tiOnment bill over which to grow
hysterical with hostile denUnciation.
The apportiOnment bill is one measure
in which no one heretofore has found
anything to criticise; and, while it NAV
not conform TO the Dakota theory of
Minnesota geography, it will stand ex-
animation with those who are familiar
with its provisions and with the states
centers Of population.
The Alliance majority in
the last legislature might have divided
Minnesota into districts for partisan
purposes, had it desired to do so. 1t
might have followed the example of
Michigan, and insured at least some
UntnC for tho nauonnrooxy in, +Io
electoral college, even if it could not get
them all. Or it might have stretched a
shoestring district or two about the
man, which would have concentrated
the Democratic strength where it would
count most effectually. The Repub,
licans did something like this in 1881.
when they laid out section twenty
miles wide, running from Wisconsin
almost to Dakota, and called it the
Third Congressional district. Geogra.
ply had nothing to do with this. 1t was
Politics, pure and simple. The Repub.
licans wanted to separate Sibley and lie
Sueur counties from Mcleod, Carver
and Scott, the other Democratic strong.
holds III the Minnesota valley, and they
did so. Such methods are not without
justification, and the GLOBE is not in
clined TO find fault with partisans whc
take advantage of their supremacy tc
strengthen their position. But, on the
other hand, it thinks those who refuse
TO use power to such ends, as did the
last legislature, are entitled to need
of praise.
The Tribune's chief complains
against the new apportionment is di
rected towards the Sixth and Seventh
districts. The Tribune has no very
definite knowledge as to where thaea