The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-25

takes credit for winning a battle he never
saw. Skaters message given when thou
sands of American soldiers were lying in the
fever-laden trenches at Santiago, and the peo-
pie at home were waiting anX1ously Tor
news, that capt. Alger is WE'LL! There Is
the Doodle Book of Wisconsin, and last but
not least the Republican platform of Min
nesota
No political convention ever struck more
deadly blow at the interests of the people
than did the late Republican convention OF
this state.
1t is conceded by all students of the sub
ject that the speediest ard best solution Of
the economic questions which beset us would
come through the honest and fearless ad-
minstration of justice and the rules OF law.
few months ago there was rendered by
our supreme court a decision In the action
known as the Stevenson case, which to my
mind is the most important decision of mod
ern times. There the rule is laid down that
in considering the amount of earnings which
a railroad may claim as matter OF right
which to base its rates. the cost Of re-
producing the road and its equipments is the
test. and not the bonded Indebtedness nor
the amount value of its stock.
Thus by few strokes of the pen the SUI
preme court of this state has eliminated the
chief evil in watered stock, and as for bonds
the people need not care should the railroads
continue to issue them until even an Eng
lish nobleman would be ashamed to lend his
name to syndicate for their disposal.
That decision was unanimous, and every
one Of the justices is entitled to our admtra-
CtOn ana respect LOT the fearless attitude VI
the court upon this momentous question; the
Republicans, Start and Collins, no less than
the Democrats. Mitchell. Canty and Buck, and
another Republican who made that decision
possible by his interchangeable advocacy of the
right was the present attorney general, Mr..
Childs; and yet OF those six men. five, the
three Judges who were candidates for re-
election, Justice Collins, a candidate for gov
ernor. and MIR. Childs. candidate for the
supreme bench. were ANONYMOUSLY rejected
by this machine-smashing Republican con-
vention. and sent to condoie with A.. Y. Mer-
rill. the hero OF the Anderson bill. and re-
fleet how much more profitable 1t would have
been had their names been on the brief in
opposition to the peoples cause, for there is
found the name Of the man this same con-
yention Endorsed for United States senator.
Mr. O'Brien's remarks were punctu-
ated by vociferous applause His hap
Ply reference to the literary fulmina-
tons Of the past year and the points
made In connection with the action Of
the supreme court were received with
special delight.
The gathering was demonstratively
enthusiastic. A dozen times Mr.. O'Brien
was Interrupted by applause and in
deed the same manifestations Of in
dorsement Of the sentiments uttered
were frequent through all Of The
speech making.
A. T. Ankeny's introduction as man
who could talk on the political situa-
ton in Minnesota. was the sign for
renewal of the applause which con-
tinued to break out as the speaker re-
viewed the history Of politics in
this state and gave some figures in
comment on the normal Republican
majority Of 10000 in Minnesota, &C
cording to the claims Of our Eepubli-
can friends" Mr.. Ankeny was fol-
lowed with close attention as he quoted
figures to support facts.