The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-05
CONCERNING LOCAL PERFORMERS

CONCERNING LOCAL REFORMERS.
In view of the high plane of reform
life of this community under the inspira-
ton of local Republican craftsmanship,
it is a subject of natural regret and sur
prise that events will happen occasionally
which give color of unreality to the en-
tire delightful spectacle.
One of such occurrences, and the most
recent IS that of the misunderstanding
which has arisen as to the conduct of
certain of our minor Republican reform
ers in connection with the operation of
the Chinese exclusion act. It has been
made to appear that a small body of
we'll known local Republican reformers
have engaged themselves In an under
taking to beat" federal law which was
designed to promote the well-being Of
labor, to which these gentlemen are
known to be, of course, devotedly attach
ed. We say 1t has been made so to ap
pear. Appearances do not always even
indicate reality, however. 1t is capable
of proof of course that there lived
Chinaman at some time or other before
the exclusion act came into operation
somewhere on Minnesota street. There
may be some slight misrepresentation as
to the calling pursued by that particular
Chinaman, and even as to his identity
Rn that coma time or
other did live and thrive on Minnesota
street, in the laundry business, If in no
other. is no doubt capable of proof.
What grieves the G l o most In the
men so thoroughly identified with the re-
form movement which has been in opera
ton in this city so actively under Re-
publican auspices for six years or so as
the gentlemen named in connection with
the transaction-Mr. Gallick, Mr.. Walsh,
Mr.. Golfer and the rest-should allow
themselves even to appear in an unbe-
coming attitude toward the public. Of
party of greater eminence and larger re-
sponsibilities. But they are fairly repre-
sentative men. They are nearer to the
people whom they are daily engaged In
party brethren. And they should accord
ingly reflect that any thoughtless act of
theirs, which might not be said to COM
port with their character as reformers,
might be made to react on their leaders
in the domain of local reform.
It 1t not fair, for instance, that states
men of recognized high character and
attachments, like our present clerk of
the supreme court, the Hon. D. F. Reese,
or our amiabIe and able first assistant
attorney general and president of our city
council, the Hon. w. J. Donahower, not
to speak Of their friends and associates
in the cause Of reform, the Hon. Henry
Johns and Mr. r. c.. Schiffmann. all thor
oughly and intimately identified in the
public mind with the cause of reform
politics IN st. Paul, should have their
reputation as reformers reflected on, how
ever remotely, by the thoughtless conduct
of their friends and lieutenants. All of
these gentlemen are of great local in
1uence. They will soon be called on to
play an important part In the affairs of
state in connection with the selection of
a governor, United States senator and
other high officials. Besides, any one of
them may be called on to put aside his
native modesty and accept his party S
nomination to congress in this district
next summer. Even by association, 1t is
not just that they should feel called on
to explain any apparent wanderings from
the steep and narrow path on the part of
any of their minor brethren in reform.
The G o b feels obliged to admonish
all the high-principlNA and clean-handed
| statesmen whom We have here named
| that when a man achieves a reputation as
reformer, such as they all enjoy his
| conduct should be guided with the ut
most care, even with respect to appear
ances. For of the reforner it Is true, as
! Hamlet reminded Ophelia, Of old:
''Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as
| snow,
Yet shalt thou not escape the breath of
| calumny'