The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-22

cry way a safe man. This element of
conservatism won for him other and
stronger financial allies, as the years
rolled along, and it was not long until
the Merchants National ranked with
the greatest banking institutions of
the Northwest-the creation of the
young man, whose sole ambition it
has been to be called a successful bust
ness man. =
Mr.. Merriam was asked recently how
1T was he got into politics. He laughed
AS he said his first canvass for office
had been forced upon him by his friends
and the politicians Of his party who
wanted candidate to defeat a peren-
NAL office holder in Democratic
stronghold. Il don't believe my friends
thought [ could defeat my opponent"
said Mr.. Merriam, ''for the majority
of the opposition was very large, but
l had the means and was considered
an available lamb for the slaughter"
Because of his position in the bank.
and because of his known ability as a
hnancier he had been chosen treasurer
of the board of education in 1873 and
1879, and this is the only city Office
he ever held. But in 1882 he was nom
mated for the Legislature by the Re
publicans of the Second ward, and the
famous Jerry Mccarthy, who died ten
years ago, was his opponent. The
Second ward then extended to Uni
VerSlty Avenue On~thes north and the
polling place was in the old court
house on the site of which the present
city hall and county building now
stands. There was no Australian bal
lot in those days, and the returns were
not always handed in with prompt
ness. The ward had always been
democratic and it was in the hands
of Mccarthy and his followers and
from all appearances always would be.
of tho Of
Democrats growing up in the ward
were dissatisfied with the domina-
ton of Mccarthy and his clan, and
were willing to make some sacrifices
of party principle if the gang could be
ousted from control of the ward. Nc
Carthy had been nominated for the
legislature by the usual methods, and
his Democratic enemies, powerless to
secure his downfall, gave 1t out that q
good Republican, some young man who
had time and inclination, would re-
ceive the support of the disaffected
Democrats of the ward. William r.
Merriam was the only man available
who would consent to make the can
vass. He was persuaded to enter the
race and was nominated with the
knowledge that he had a majority of
1000 to overcome in a ward where all
the election machinery was in the
hands of the enemy and that his
II.
with characteristic energy, displayed
in every undertaking, Mr.. Merriam
started out to win. A good book, as
full of comedy as the best play ever
staged, could be written of that cam
paign. While the Democrats who were
supporting Mccarthy were making
their boasts of what they'd do with
the young silkstocking candidate.
''Bill" Merriam was making a still
hunt of the ward and with the as
sistance of the younger element in the
Democratic ranks was making votes
and undermining the strength Of the
ward boss. The election, in spite Of
all the Democratic candidate could do,
resulted in victory for the young Re-
marked that these same Democrats
who assisted Mr.. Merriam in this vic
tory, have ever since been his warm
personal friends. There have been times
since when they have been arrayed
against him in political warfare, but
otherwise they have been close to him
and his advisers in his political am
billions and he in turn has been to
them the friend in need in politics and
In business While in the legislature
Mr. Merriam was a quiet and earnest
worker In the interest Of his party, the
county and the state. His value was
shown rather in the committees than
on the floor, for he has never shown as
an orator But it is his marked ability
as an organizer and worker. his keen
insight and judgment, that inspired
the confidence and admiration of those
with whom he served in that session
as we'll as in subsequent sessions of
the state legislature.
In 1882 Mr. Merriam had his business
affairs in such condition that he sought
again to enter the field Of politics. His