St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-05
KANSAS AND OHIO.

There are two impressive scenes in
the drama of Modern Republlcanism.
Upon one the curtain has but lately
been rung down in Kansas. On the
other the Pickering footlights still she'd
lambent beam in Ohio.
Never before in the political history.
of this country has more disgraeeful
sight been witnessed than the protracted
scramble for senatorial "honors"-a
hand-to-hand struggle for dead mans
shoeS-than that which has but recently
eliminated in the appointment of PER-
KINs. 1t was bitter imbrogio within
the party, and, because it besmirched
the political reputation of all whom it
involved, the escape of Gov. HUMPHREY
becomes impossible. Yet the way for
him to have retired with honor was
open. lie refused to avail himself of the
opportunity. While weakly bewaiiing
the action of the horde of fierce and
selfish Republican partisanS who
swarmed. like midsummer gnatS, at To-
peka. the result cannot but dscredit the
political wisdom of Gcv. HUMPHREY.
So staunch Republican organ as the
st. Louis GlObe-Democrat realizes this
fact and boldly proclaims it in its col
umnS. For there was available in the
state one man who refused to open po-
litical headquarters at Topeka before
the last sod had fallen upon the coffin
of the late Senator PLUMB. That man
was JOHN j. INGALLS,. While the fight
waXed warmeSt in the vicinity of Gov.
HUMPHREY Office, Mr.. INGALLS,, at
the grave of his erstwhile colleague,
paid an eloquent tribute to his worth
and ability. By the rabid. wrangling
crowd at Topeka, Mr.. INGALLS, was
counted out of the race because
he had sulked in his tent when
the political fortunes of other men
were i'll jeopardy. But to snarl
and snap at each others heels as did
these shameless contestants at Topeka,
even before the body of Senator PLUMB
was cold in its coffin, is far more repre-
hensible than to temporarily withdraw
from political canvass at critical mo-
ment. But the weak man has been
selected by Gov. HUMPHREY; the strong
man relegated to the rear. The whisk-
senator. and perhaps i'll ability. The
opportunity of Gov. Humphreys life
has been missed, Kansas Republicanism
has been diluted. and Democrats are
satisfied. Score one for a Republican
blunder.
The scene now on the political boards
in Ohio is cOlored by farcical tinge.
There is more broad comedy and less
of the tragic element than in the Kansas
affair. Here we have the low comedian,
FORAKER. assisted by the heavy lead,
Senator SHERMAN. Still, the Republic
ans are just as industriously committing
hari-kari in Ohio as they did in Kansas.
From dignified contest for seat in
the United States senate, the Ohio fight
has degenerated into a death grapple,
against which the lightest accusation
that is made is to the effect that both
sides are using barrels of money. 1t is au
edifying spectacle-to Democrats-the
sight of an ex-governor of Ohio on the
stump inveighing against the admins
tration. 1t thrills with joyful mirth the
Democratic heart to hear the frantic
FORAKER pour forth rounded periods of
denunciation against BEN HARRISON
and Baby MCKEE. 1t augurs ill for
Republican harmony in the cool of next
November. 1t is, in tact an ill omen
for expected concentration of the Ohio
cohorts Of McKinleyism. The Republi-
can house is divided against itself. and
family secrets and scandals are becom-
ing public property. Much evil has been
already done to Ohio Republicauism.
The election of FORAKER will score
blunder number two.