The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-24
Slight Editorial Disagreements.

With all it's sins committed since our
contemporary emerged from it's side, t e
J ourn a never printed an editorial two
pa res lone, which is what the CONNER
cial West does to-day in anewer to
quarter Of a column in T h e o n a .
In passing, let it be said in answer to
the Commercial Vests charge that since
the editor Of that paper left T h j GU :
II this paper has taken to suppressing
the news, that the Commercial West has
facilities for making things public and
that if it thinks r he journal has
omitted something which ought to- be
printed, it has the facilities for publicity.
We are unable even to surn,ise what this
suppressed sensation is, but assume that
it must be ''hot stuff
Our contemporary, who, by the way,
shall not outdo us in protestations OF per-
sonal friendship and good will, which, OF
slight differences OF editorial opinion,
criticizes Governor Van SAINT for making
his merger policy a political issue. Why,
bless your soul, dear c. W.. Governor Van
SAINT could not help it. Mr.. Hill made
the merger a political Issue six months
before the campaign began. That the
merger entered so largely into the last
campaign was made necessary by Mr..
IIill. Suppose Mr.. Hill, when served with
notice Of suit, had said: "Governor Van
SAINT you are perfectly right in the posi-
| ton you have taken; do not think the
Northern Securities company Is a viola
ton Of the state law, but have no quar-
rel with you as to the proper view OF
your official duty. II you think the law is
violated 1t Is your duty to enforce it. We
will prosecute this undertaking no fur
Their until the courts have determined
whether or not the merging OF these two
roads into third corporation is or is not
| in violation Of the state law. And we. will
| do everything we can to bring this mat
ter to a speedy settlement" If Mr.. Hill
had taken that course how much Of q
political issue could Governor Van SAINT
have made out Of the merger? It il
hardly necessary to add that Mr.. Hill die
not take that course.
| AS for the governors activity in the
speakership contest, the Commercial Wes
is entitled to its view Of the propriety
Of the governors action, but it must con
cede the same freedom Of opinion to those
who believe that under the circumstances
the governor would have been recrean1
to his duty If he had not taken the posi-
ton which he assumed. There is Ger
tainly some support tor this. Wow in thu
fact that the governors action compelled
such unequivocal and numerous pledge.
Of support Of administration measure.
that it is difficult to see how the speaker.
elect and those responsible for his cleo.
ton can now fail to give their cordia
support in the house. ~ "
And as for the election Of a democratic
governor in Minnesota, it surprises us tt
have it suggested that such a result woult
be disapproved by the Commercial Yves
when we recall the activity Of the mergel
during the last campaign in support O.
a democratic candidate.
And now as to the drainage matter
The Commercial West declines to apollo
gize to the governor because he did no
spread his remarks over more space. HI
asked for "a suitable appropriation fol
the vigorous prosecution" Of the drain
age work. In view Of the sensitiveness
Of our contemporary to danger Of dicta
ton by the governor to the legislature
what more would. 1t have?