St. Paul daily globe., 1891-01-11
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE

The st. Paul Gas Light company re-
ports that it was compelled TO put a
new meter in the gubernatorial mansion
the other day, because the old one had
given out under the tremendous strain
to which it has recently been sub
jected. Gas has been consumed there
at the most extraordinary rate, night
after night, since the opening of the
new year. The streets i'll the nelghbor-
hood Of Wabasha hill have been strewn
with tan bark to deaden the sound of
passing vehicles, and Gordon of mil
tia is stationed without the door to
ward off intruders and to keep the man
who dwells inside from interruption.
The governor of the state of Minnesota
is in the throes of preparing his bicn-
nial soliloquy, which will be delivered
to the legislature on Wednesday morn
ing next. The hour set for the parturi-
ton is IL by the town clock. Such is
the preScience of the great.
We hope that Mr.. MERRIAM will pro-
duce a document which will be worthy
of his own reputation, and the fame of
the commonwealth over which he rules.
We suggest that, while the mul tiplica-
tion table has unqueStioned merits, it
should not be taken as a model of
literary composition. Statistics in gen.
eral should be employed sparingly or
avoided altogether. because they usually
are confusing to our Polish and BOhe-
mian citizens, who are looking forward to
the governors message with peculiar
keenneSs of interest. and are not eS-
pecially enjoyed by the young people of
any nationality. If figures are an es-
sential part of the paper, we think it
will be better to give them in round
numbers. in the body of the message,
leaving more exact statement for an
appendix, to be added at the end. To
do otherwise will surely force some one
to the temptation of skipping part of
the document. at least. The effect of
this on the welfare of the state and
nation would be very serious, and we
have troubles enough already.
We never could understand why the
authors of state papers always assumed
such tone Of settled melancholy in
their literary productions. This is an
exceedingly fippant age, and people
enjoy humorous books much more they
do dirges. We imagine that the popu-
lar affection for the Democratic gov
ernor Of Wisconsin is partly based on
his reputation as professional funny
man. We are interested in the progress
of WILLIAM K. MERRIAM, and if any
Republican is to have glory in this state,
he is our cand idate for it. We want
him to go on from Office to office, pro-
vided, of course, any Republican is to
do so. He is going to have great many
opportunities to put himself on record
during the coming ninety days. The
town is said to. be full of Warwicks,
and of regicides also-of men who make
and unmake kings. We submit to the
governors consideration whether it
would not be wise to touch the popular
fancy and get the great heart of the
common people throbbing in his favor
by opening the session with an amusing
message. We would not have him take
our advice on this point without refiec-
ton, and perhaps consultation with the
leaders of the party. But there may be
something in it. Suppose he sends a
cabegram to STANFORD Newell and
asks him what he thinks about it?
In any event, Mr.. MERRIAM, do not
be too sad and serious. Give us mes
sage which will be robust and CHEEKY as
| you are yourself.