The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-03
MINNESOTA POLITICS

Judge Lochren's decision in the state
merge merger case revives the merger issue
ior an indefinite period AT first blush
:. LOOKS ike bad knock out for the
state administration, which has been
Lshtlng TOT year and half to enforce
Tug state laws against railway CONSOLE
u son, only to meet defeat at every
turn. Ihe antt-adninistration republic-
ans look at 1T as q body blow to Cow
ernor Van SAINT and cannot conceal their
glee. 81 So
Inc result IS likely to be a reaction.
Ihe political events Of last year showed
clearly now the mass of the voters Of
Minnesota look at the merger, and at
the governors efforts to dissolve it,
lnere IS no reason to think that their
minds have changed. The decision Of
the circuit court Of sappeals in the gov
eminent case was the strongest kind
OF an Endorsement for the governors po-
sitlon' FOR 1t took the positive ground
that the Northern 4 Securities company
was In restraint Of commerce. It was
complete Justification for the bringing
Of the state suit
Judge Lochren's decision in the state
case VIII stand unless it is reversed, but
IT IS the decision Of one Judge Of an in
terror court, opposed to the four judges
before whom 1t must come for review.
Judge Lochren takes an opposite view
OF the facts in the case from that taken
py Governor Van SAINT, Attorney Gem
eral Knox and by the circuit court of
appeals.
II the merger synpathizers are not able
70 restrain their feelings, and proclaim
the Lochren decision as the death of the
merger issue, they are likely to make it
stronger than ever. II they succeed in
making 1t the live issue of the cam
H. noY1 Ia
result. 1t will mean the nomination of
candidate for governor on an anti
merger PLATFORM, whether it be Van SAINT
or some one else.
The only thing that could quiet the
merger issue would be aadectsion from
.he supreme courts of the United States
IN tne government case, affirming the
circuit court OF appeals. If the govern
ment wins, the merger is dissolved. The
STATE case may then be abandoned
IS, That will close the incident as far as
the. courts are concerned.
ne government case and the state case
nave run side by side, and are based on
Inc same facts. The only reason for
bringing both suits. is the same reason
tnat sportsman carries a double-bar-
reied shotgun. It gives two chances at
the olrd. A victory in either case is
d victory Tor all concerned. A decision
a GROWING
triumph for Governor Van SAINT IN his
long battle. It would not end the issue
OF the railroads in Minnesota politics but
1t would end the merger case. 1t is hard
TO say what political effect it would have
IN the e, state, but it certainly would not
hurt the men who made the fight.
The Lamberton Star, which supported
Young IN the last primary election cam
palgn, says of the seventh district stu
alton: = :.
THE talk of Mike Bowling making the
race Tor governor next year has been re-
vived again in parts of the district
me majority Of the people, however, are
taxing but little interest in the subject
as they think Volstead should be given
a chance to see what he will do next-win-
Ter "nlle congress Is in session, and
they seem to think that he will make
q valuable member of that law making
body .u Charles p. Cheney 2