The Saint Paul globe., 1899-06-07
PROBLEMS, NOT POLITICS.


Lincoln Republican club. This club per-
forms many important duties. 1t puts It's
o. X. upon the applications of those
whom it finds among the faithful, the
loyal and the true who may be seeking
chance to inscribe their names upon the
salary lists of the city. the state or the
nation. When difficulties arise within the
party, growing out of divergence of views
as to who should receive this Or that ap-
pointment, or when mayor and sub
ordinate get to quarreling over an ap-
pointment and one charges the other with
bribery, the club umpires the game. 1t is
a sort of anicus curiae, the friend. phil
osopher and guide of the local organism.
1t was this very influential body which
Representative Stevens addressed. and to
which, in his opening remarks, he made
the following statement: This is no
time for making political speeches, but
is an opportune season for considering
some of the problems that will have to
be fought out in the next campaign
ful disingenuousness in this statement
that is most unusual. 1t is probable that
the congressman felt himself Gin the
midst of fellow craftsmen, where the
customary solemnity of countenance and
pretensions Of purpose might be dropped,
and the utmost frankness be indulged in.
1t was the too candid reporter, impru-
IDENTIFY admitted, who reported the con-
gresham too literally, not being skilled
yet in knowing what not to report, and
not the congressman who in the privacy
Of the club, laid aside for a moment his
customary astuteness. Anyway and any
how, he said what he said, and "the
chiel'' took notes and printed them, and
we have, as result, a representative in
congress assuring his constituents that
problems Of national policy are not SUBJ
ject matter for political speeches. AS
Mr.. Stevens went on to discuss the cur
rency, trusts and imperialism. after dis
avowing any intention to make political
speech, the inference follows that when
he does make that kind of a speech he
does not discuss serious questions of pol
Icy.
While this will surprise some conscien-
t1ous folk with old-fashioned notions, it
will also account for some things that
seem to be inconsistent When, for in
stance, Republican congressman and ed
itors solemnly declare that the nan,o
came because Democracy came In; that
the country would go to the demnttion
bow-wows unless their party was re-
stored; that the Democratic tariff was a
tariff for deficit only, and that their Marty
would make one that would restore the
var quished surplus, they were simnlv
making political speeches, not discussing
problems of government When thew
pointed with pride to- their enactment of
the Sherman purchase act Of 1890 and as
sured the country that its prosperity was
due to that application of the
protective principle to the white
metal, and when, later they prid-
ed themselves upon the Republican
majority that repealed the act, they
were merely making political speeches.
Between campaigns they discuss prob
lens, but when a campaign begins thew
abandon all such academic subjects and
concentrate their volubility upon political
subjects. Hereafter we will be better
able to understand the addresses mada
by their speakers during campaigns. No
one need be deceived, by whatever of
fervor they may put into them, to believe
that they are discussing problems for leg
islation with any thought of making
promises: thsy are only trying to get In
or keep in bY making political sneechAa