The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-15
State Party Issue for 1903.

The Republican papers and politicians
ton and smashing of States" as if
the only task before them was the Sc
lection of ticket. On the other hand,
the opposition appear to be engaged in
constructing a platform built Of planks
contributed. by the various elements,
squared and trued so as to leave as few
cracks as possible. The consensus of
the expressed opinions of the leading
merely to get together" The Repub-
licans assume that the only issue to be
presented is that on which the national
campaign of 1896 was fought, and the
opposition, so far as their purpose is
observable, are of the same mind.
That that issue can have no possible
bearing upon state administration; that
| whether one or the other party win will
have no more effect on the national
| issue, save in congressional districts,
than it would upon the partition of
surdity Of which the opposition, at
least, appear to be serenely uncon-
scious.
There is apparent a reason why Re-
publicans should invite a repetition of
the contest on that question. 1t will
serve them both as an ally and shield.
1t gave them plurality of 62,76S votes
on the presidential ticket, and clear
majority Of 54,254. 1t gave their state
ticket, below it's head, an average plu-
rality of $4,000 1t will also serve as
shield to hide the maladministration of
affairs purely relating to the state dur
Ing the years of their absolute control
1t will divert attack from a point where
they are vulnerable, and center it upon
point where everything past and
present indicates that they are impreg-
nable. Small wonder that they want
it again, and are only anxious lest
their opponents should not present it.
1t is probable at this time, that they
will be gratifed. Saner counsels may
prevail later when the bugles sound
the warning that the conflict is actually
on, and that a struggle is at hand
where votes and not rhetoric nor
sounding defamation and arraignment
tell
There is a national question that is
also state question. The parentalsm
of the national Republican party is as
virulent in the state as the nation.
Under the pretense Of regard for the
public welfare parentalism seizes the
power of the state to advance the in
terests of the few. 1t is so in the ma
ton and it is so IN the state. Here is
an issue the opposition to Republican
ism can tender with every prospect Of
success. The Republicans would be
defenseless. AT every point of attack
they would be vulnerab BILE Instead of
assaulting. they would be constantly
resisting assaults. Instead of fabricat-
ing bogies to scare the timid they
would have to defend the iudefensibIe
and excuse their own abuses of power
There is no need to particularize. No
need to specify the interferences of law
with freedom of employment and op-
portunity. No need to detail the growth
of our state institutionalism; the in
crease of burdens and commissions and
boards, with ever swelling expense bills
and everincreasfng demands for ex-
tension. No need to compare the hy-
pocrisy that enacts stringent laws
against trusts with the immunity from
prosecution for violation accorded
them. No more is needed than to men
ton the treatment of the grain mar
kets and the iron properties of the
state. Is there not enough of detail
under each of these specimens of pa
rentalism on which to found an tndict-
ment that would be sure to convict?
Is it sensible to leave unused your am
munition and content yourself with
making mouths at the enemy? Will
the opposition to the Republican party
do precisely the thing they wish it to
do and not do the very thing they fear