St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-02-01
THE SENAFORsHIP.

The GLOBE does not believe the story
which has had more or less currency, to
the effect that Gov. MERRIAM recently
offered district iudgeship to partisan
of Senator DAVIS in the hope of alien
ating him from his allegiance to that
great man. There does not seem any
good reason to doubt that Mr.. MERRIBM
would like to go to the United States
senate from Minnesota two years from
now, and, if not then, in any event on
the expiration of Mr.. WAsHBURN's
term. This is only natural for all am
bilious man like him, and the desire
does him no discredit. The official who
earnestly seeks for the best gifts is more
likely to do good service in the lower
ranks than one who has no hopes or as
pirations for advancement. The gov
ernor'S ambition to be senator, and per-
maps president, gives him steadiness
and seriousness in the discharge of his
daily duties, and affords the state q
much better executive at the same sal
airy than it would have if he expected to
become lightning rod agent or life in
Surance solicitor when his term at the
capitol expired.
The GLOBE, however, does not be
lieve that Mr.. MERRIAM, III spite Of this,
would prostitute the states Judiciary by
using it as tool for his own personal
advancement. Minnesota has never had
any governor save one who looked on
district judgeships as rewards for politi-
lol~ &I,s,E ln-
to his own. Mr.. MERRIAM'S enemies,
of whom he has some, like all great
men, find much to criticise in his career;
but the GLOBE, which is his friend. as it
is the friend of every one who is genial
and earnest, challenges any assignment
of error in his pastln the matter of selec-
ton of district judges. Political mo-
tives had surely nothing to do with the
selection of our own Judge KERR, Judge
Villas, Judge Otis and Judge CORNISH,
or with the selection of Judge. POND, or
Judge MURDOCH, or Judge POWERS in
other circuits. Our governor has too
high an appreciation of the sanctity of
the law to use it for base purposes.
In point Of fact, it really makes very
little difference. however, what efforts
any Republican makes for the senatorial
prize at the next election. If Senator
DAVIS continues to play the people
false at the bidding of Eastern moDop-
olists and demagogues, Mr., MERRIAM
will undoubtedly be the most prominent
candidate from his party for the posi-
ton, whether he works for it or not.
Senator DAVIS is proving him
self his own worst enemy and
his honorable rivals best friend.
There never was sadder spec
acle than he presented on the
stump in this state last fall. He held
himself up to popular applause because
he had kept down the tariff on binding
tWine and made it cheaper to the farm
ers, and at the same time ASKED lndorse-
ment for his support of the MCKINLEY
bill because it had raised the price of
everything else. Every friend of his
blushed for his inconsistency, and every
friend of his is wondering now if it is
the malaria or some other InSidious
malady which is arraying him among
the champions of the force bill. His
course brings great comfort to the
Democracy. With DAVIS out of the
way, it ought not to be impossible to
send an anti-monopoiist of some sort to
sit in the seat which HENRY Nj. RICE
once honored.