The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-30
DO NOT NEGLECT STATE ISSUES

When state campaigns are coincident
with those embracing the nation the
former are merely a tender to the lat
ter. The large questions of domestic
concern are lost sight of in the absorb
ing interest of the national field, and
whatever of maladministration and
abuses may have crept into state leg
islation and administration are further
fortified by the impulse given the DOM
1nant party by success in the larger
field. There is a natural inclination of
the men who manage state campaigns
and occupy places on the ticket to gain
for themselves whatever accretion of
strength the policies of the national
party may give them, disposition that
is shown by the contestants for the pet
tiest of local offices, who endeavor to
convince their electorate that the SALIVA
ton of the country depends upon their
election. Protection to American la
Dor is thus hitched to the ambition of
John Jones to be governor and of
Sam Smith to be constable.
Though thus obscured, there is dis
tinct line Of cleavage between the af-
fairs of the state and those Of the ma
ton. The problem Of federal taxation
is entirely distinct from that in the
state. The question of currency has
nothing to do with the question of what
police powers of the state can be prop
erly used. Whether we shall have the
gold or silver standard is in nowise re-
lated to whether boys shall be prevent
ed from smoking cigarettes,or the own
ers of iron mines be allowed to
practically escape taxation There are
questions In plenty and of great i'm
portance to the people of the state
involved in the contest for control Of
the state administration this fall, and
they should not be permitted to drop
into second place by any divisions that
may exist on currency questions.
The Republican party is already in
the field with its candidates on a plat
form that touches state matters with a
gentle hand, and advances the national
issues of protection and the gold stand
ard to first and most prominent place:
though the candidates, if elected. will
be utterly impotent to affect legislation
on either, while they may be influential
in directing affairs that touch every
person in the state and reach into
every pocket. If Republicanism is I'M
safe in the nation-and it's record and
the consequences of it's control suf-
ficiently attest that-it is just as unsafe
to direct the affairs of the state. If
paternalism is mischievous in the one
sphere, it is more so in the latter where
1t can lay its interfering and disturb
Ing hand or all domestic affairs. If De-
mocracy, the principle as distinguished
from the party, is essential to the well
fare of the nation. it is doubly SO to
the state.
Jefferson, in his first inaugural. after
enumerating the material advanta ges
and blessings enjoyed by this country.
said: with all these blessings what
more is necessary to make us a happy
and prosperous people? Still one thing
more. fellow citizens, wise and frugal
government, which shall restrain
men from injuring one another.
which shall leave them free to
regulate their own pursuits of
industry and Improvement. and shall
not take from the mouth of labor the
bread it has earned This is the sum
of good government, and this is neces-
sary to close the circle of our felicities."
There is the golden standard of gov
eminent that measures the policies and
administrations of any and all parties
and decides them to be of noble or base
metal. right or wrong, safe or danger
Gus. Measured by it the Republican
administration of the affairs of this
state for nearly forty years of unbroken
rule shows that 'the circle of our
felicities" has not been closed. 1t has
been neither wise nor frugal. 1t has
aided men IL injuring one another. 1t
has not left men free to regulate their