St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-27
ON THE sKIRMIsHLINE

The pattering shots of the Skirmish
line i'll the coming senatorial fight are
heard, indicating that the lines of battle
are being formed and the reserves ac.
cumulated. Assuming somewhat rashly
that they are not to be molested by an
adverse majority i'm the legislature; con-
tident that the dear people are so well
pleased with Republicanism that they
will flood the two halls with members of
that party, the struggle for the one great
prize of the session is being opened.
1t is very apparent that Mr.. Wash
burn will have no walk-over. If he gets
second senatorial commission he will
have to work for it, and work hard.
There is no such sentimental force back
of him as that which enabled Mr.. Davis
to triumph over the cabal which sought
to defeat him. Mr.. WaShburn is not at
all sentimental man himself. and in
spires none of that devotion which men
of a warmer and more sympathetic tenn
permanent do. and which is so potent
force in politics as in other affairs. Nor
has his career i'll the senate been fraught
with such eminent services as to com.
mand gent raj admiration. Aside from
his vote against the force bill by which
he aided in upseltlng deep-laid scheme
OF party ggrandlZement, and his anti
option bill, in which he assumed the
singular attitude of manufacturer
proposing and urging measure which
he claimed would increase the cost to
him of his raw material-a position ut
terly at variance with ,publicanism-
ne has not especially distinguished him.
self.
1t is ALI open secret that st. Paul has a
citizen who is ambitious 60 crown his
public service with senatorial term. 1t
Is also partly open secret that it was
one of the objects of the game of '92
that this estimable gentleman should
succeed Mr.. Davis. Parties to the
scheme winked at each other when the
state convention nominated the senator
for another term, and when county fol-
lowed county with ratifying resolutions.
1t was bit of efferveScent enthusiasm
which would count for nothing, because
1t was as near certainty as ever any
thing becomes in politics that the legis.
lature would be triangular, with an
Alliance contingent holding the bal
ance Of power, which could never be
brought to vote for the man who had
voted for the Mckinley bill. The con-
ventiOn nominations would thus amount
to nothing, and the field would be clear
for the pleasant, Suave and persuasive
gentleman from st. Paul to make his
combinations and secure the plum.
But the majority Of the Republicans
dashed that scheme on the rocks, and
the game was played out thenceforth on
the orthodox party lines with which
portions Of the community, at least. are
very familiar, and of which most every
body has more or less suspicion. The
gOvernor-elect was besought to enter
the lists but timidity, If no better motive,
kept him out.
But, if the plans then came by
narrow margin to naught. they were
only deferred until the next return of a
senatorial term, and that is now ap-
preaching. IL is no secret what they
are. Gov. Nelson is to be again
candidate for governor to pull the ticket
through. Then he is to be elected to
the senate if everything is propitious.
MIR. ClOugh will become governor. aud
serve the faction he represents. Then,
In '9S the country and st. Paul can unite
to send to the senate some distinguished
son of the Sanity City who may be able
to persuade Republican legislature of
his eminent qualifications.
The meaning of the pattering shots
from the skirmish line becomes Signif-
icant with this statement of the past
and present conditions. They come
just now in response to the question
whether the state convention shall or
shall not name senatorial candidate.
Naturally. MIR. Washburn and his
friends, mindful of the good results of
| the move in '92, wish 10 have this done.
Just as naturally, those in the other
| movement oppose it. LaboIed edito-
rialS begin to appear i'll the Washburn
| papers to show that this is the proper
and legitimate thing to do. IT senators
cannot be elected by general vote, the
| nearest approach to it will be their
nomination by the conventions. On the
other hand, it is cOntended that the
consultation now provides the method :;
| puts Oh the Legislators the duty and re.
spoDsibillty; aud that this wise pro-
| vision should not be defeated by trans
| ferIing to an unsworn and irresponsible
| body of delegates, acting hastily and
without consideration, SO important and
far-reaching work.
So the papers and politicians of the
lately grand old party are betraying
their Washburnlsm or their anti
Washburnism, and thus they fore
| shadow the coming fight and reveal its
inner and partly hidden movements.
Meantime it behooveS the Democrats
| to profit by the Kilkenny fight. and set
| tie it by capturing the legislature for
themselves-a feat that is by no means
impossible, in view of the respective
| Republican factions Ill the various lie gis-
lative districts preferring to see Dem
ocrat elected rather than Republican
| opponent OF their choice for senator.