St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-08-19
CAMPAIGNS LONG OR SHORT.

There has been q, rambling dis
eussion going on for some time in
these midsummer days of recrea-
ton, on the question of long and
Short campaigns. Some editor start
ed it by suggesting that the national
conventions next year be called in
September or October instead of
June. From this initial the discus
sion has rambled on, meandering
about among the pros and cons, loi-
herring by the way to Gull pleas
antries, cutting a switch now and
then for the legs Of the other fell
low, and all with a consciousness
That the hot season is on in which
RXertion, except enough to keep the
blood circulating and the appetite
from cloying, is to be eschewed.
And yet the question is one worthy
Of serious consideration on both
sides. For the long campaign it
may be urged that the election of a
chief magistrate is the exercise of
the highest prerogative of citizen
ship, for which the amplest possible
preparation is required. The dignity
Of the office demands deliberation in
the proceedings leading up to the
selection Of its occupant. There
should be no unseemly haste. The
value Of ceremonials has been too
1ong established to be sighted or ig-
nored. The ponderous movement Of
sixty-eight million people is neces-
sarily slow. Then there are what
may be called the educational feat
ures of the movement. People want
ample time to ascertain the char
acters of the men offered for their
suffrage. If they split rails or rode
a canal mule or were "born of poor
but honest parents the people want
to know it. The campaign biograph-
ers, too, need time to compile their
disinterested and judicial volumes.
Again, laying aside the personality
of the candidates, merging them in
the issues they stand for, the peo-
pie need educating on these ques-
Mons. So, long campaigns find their
Justification in these and other minor
arguments.
On the other hand, it is contended
that long campaigns affect injurious
Iy the great business interests of the
country The attention of men is
Drawn from business to politics. This
is especially the case when the issues
Of the campaign affect industries, as
the tariff; or exchanges, as the cur
rency. The common interest de-
mands that these periods of agita-
ton should be shortened as much as
possible. Then there is the expense
involved in a campaign beginning
sn June. Immense sums Of money
have TO be raised to defray the legit-
innate costs of speakers, literature,
hall rents, clubs, uniforms, torches,
DdnCS anu fSu ire. 1nlS IS d uTditi
on the resources of the country that
adds to the injury caused by the
agitation. Advocates of short cam
paigns pooh-pooh the idea that any
time is needed to inform the people
of the characters of candidates OIL
the issues represented by them. Nc
man is named for the presidency
who is wholly unknown. They have
IN some way gained publicity in earn,
ing their right to being the choice OF
their conventions. Usually they have
been prominently before the public
for years, and have made theil
records. Then the issues are never
new or strange 10 the people. They
nave been discussed long before
they grow into national matters
The party papers have treated them
daily and weekly fo- months and
years, and the popular party judg.
Elent is expressed in the platforms
of the conven tons. The presidential
election is but the rendering Of a
Serdiet meAs IN the rnincs Of the