St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-14
P.F. Lyons. Local Forecast thclal.
SENATOR DAVIS SUCCESSOR.


Whatever doubts may find source in
the political gossip anent the senatorial
succession which the GLOBE, as faith
full chronicler of such matters, is bound
TO give its readers in the appropriate
column, it entertainS no doubt what
ever that, if there is any logic in par
tisan politics, Senator DAVIS should be
his own successor. The GLOBE does
not say this approvngly; it has no adj
miration for the senator as senator, and
it aided, to the extent of its ability, the
efforts of its party to replace him with
man who would represent in the senate
the public opinion of the state as it be-
iieVeS it to exist in spite of the express
sion it gave itself at the polls. 1t speaks
merely as an Onlooker In dog fight,
having nothing up on either dog, and
only caring for fair play.
OF course, there are some awkward
matters in the senator's past record
which rub harShly on his claims for
party loyalty. For instance, he now
leans heavily OH the instructions which
the several conventions in the state
gave their nominees to vote for him.
Ten years ago now, Mr.. WINDOW was
an anxious candidate for reelection.
The various county conventions then,
as now, instructed their nominees for
MIR. WINDOW. HENRY A. CASTLE, then,
as now, Mr.. DAVIS able lieutenant, led
the fight against WINDOW. Mr.. DAVIS
so little regarded the instructions for
MIR. WINDOW that he permitted his name
to be used as candidate, and his sup
pOrterS, few in numbers, it is true, helped
break the caucus.
But those are bygones. And as prec-
edentS they are "incompetent, irreIe-
want and immaterial." IL was simply
strife for place. No great principle was
at stake. No issue divided the parties.
1t was simply rush for the Republican
hog-trough. Now the case is different.
The great and glorious principle of tax
ing people is at stake. 1t has been over
thrown in the first jouSt. 1t is no time
to take an untried knight. Precedents
do not count.
The GLOBE candidly thinks, as an in
dependent, uninterested and unbiased
observer, that Senator DAVIS should
succeed himself. The legislature is Re-
publican. 1t must choose Republican.
Where in the state will it find man
who is more the type of its party today
than is the SENATOR Has ne not followed
faithfully the party lead? Does he not
faithfully stand for all its tendencies?
When the party swung out for ultra
protection in 1888, did not the senator
stoutly defend it? When it framed the
MCKINLEY bill as the embodiment of its
policy, did ne not support it? To be sure,
he did make an argument for free bind
Ing Irvine, which hit the principle hard
blow. but it was only stage effect,
given with wink and an aside. When
the party found it conveniently safe to
straddle the silver question, didn't he
vote for SHERMAN'S monstroSity? When
the party thought it had the chance to
strangle Democracy i'll the South, didn't
DAVIS tug stoutlY at the force bill
rope? Hasn't he shown in his treatment
of the Pacific roads all that tender,
solicitous care for corporations which is
the distinguishing feature of his party?
If this is all true, and who gainsays it,
is he not the logical selection? VIII it
not be taken as an abandonment of all
the party stands for if he is defeated?
The GLOBE does not predict that he
will be reelected. but it does say that
he should be, If logic is logic.