Morris tribune., 1911-08-04
Democratic Chairman Not a Can
didate for Governor.
WHITTIER CASE DRAGS ALONG
Governor Eberhart Determined to Give
Accused Superintendent Chance
to Defend Himself.

81. Paul, July I9.-fTduh "A. bdy VI
the Democratic state central commit
tee, ex-king maker and at the present
time a resident of Missoula, Mont,
where he is publisher and editor of
daily newspaper, was Twin City
visitor this week, likewise caller at
the state capitol, over the destinies of
which he once presided. He talked
much and said little, but the local
dailies found sufficient in what he did
say to consume a couple OF columns
and renew acquaintance with his pic
ture, which has lain dormant for the
past two years. Frank proved to be
just as good copy maker as ever.
The FairmOnt man came all the way
from Montana to be present at the
marriage Of his daughter, Miss Con-
stance, to the eldest son Of former
Congressman James A. Tawney of Wi
mona. The ceremony was performed
at Fairmont, Mr.. Days former home,
and even it was not without it's copy
making features. "A Historic Pho
tograph" was the label attached to
picture caught by an enterprising pho
tographer and it found ready sale
among the dailies. Beneath a spread
ing elm, with hands clasped, the pho
tOgrapher posed them and it has to be
said that he made a good job. Jim
and Frank United Again" the copy
reader wrote when the articles and
picture accompanying it were handed
him.
!. !" =
Yes, Frank and Jim are united and
the romance that brought about the
late clasping Of hands was a pretty
one, but as far as these political dig
gins are concerned no one has any
recollection Of any serious breach be-
tween them. Back in the eighties,
when the two were members of the
state senate, they bedded together at
the old Metropolitan hotel in st. Paul,
now defunct. The two were insep-
as the representative from the First
district and Frank became president
of the senate. With his elevation
Frank joined the progressive ranks.
He did not last long. H. H. Dunn of
Albert Lea, speaker of the late house,
opposed him and he was dethroned.
The fight we'll nigh disrupted the Re-
publican party. Frank then Joined
the Bryan ranks and Jim Tawney con-
tinued in congress. Ten years later
Day, with John A. Johnson as his
slogan, swept the Republican hosts
from the field and for nearly six long
years the G. O. T. fed on husks. TaW-
ney continued in congress only to be
deposed at the last general election.
If there ever was any differences be-
tween the two it was a difference of
politics. The two always were close
friends.
Chairman Days brief stay in the
state started the talk that the Fair
mont man might return and endeavOr
to lead the Democratic hosts to vic
tory next year, but such is hardly
likely The gossips even had the
temerity to suggest him as the can
didate, but Frank SHE'D at the men
tion without delay. Il could not be
elected" he said. "The people want
a Moses, not a has been" Minnesota
politics never saw more versatile
press agent, but press agents are not
the stuff out of which governors are
made. They create em, but that is
their limit, and Frank knows it too
well. AS to who will succeed Mr.. Day
as chairman is a question at this date.
X !. \
ct is a long lane that has no turn
ing" and the old adage looks as if it
was due to be eXemplified in the case
Of Superintendent Whittier of the
state training school at Red Wing,
now under fire for alleged cruelty to
the boys and girls in his charge The
testimony, much Of it perhaps dis
torted and biased, is having it's effect
and the change in sentiment is not
Whittier's way. 1t has been unusually
noticeable the past week. Governor
Eberhart has suffered some by what
many call dilatOry tactics in the Whit
tier controversy, but it is perhaps not
generally known that in the face Of
what would have sWayed any other
official similarly situated the executive
from the start demanded a square
deal for the Red Wing superintendent
despite the fact that he personally be-
lieVed him guilty. AS the story is told
here parties interested in having Mr..
Whittier summarily removed put in
an entire afternoon convincing the ex-
ecutive that Whittier must go only to
be met the next morning with the an
nOuncement that the law must take
it's course. And that law says that
any emplOye of the state board of con-
troll shall have hearing on the
charges preferred before being re-
moved. AS I said in my last letter the
whole thing is a nasty mess, reflect
ing credit on no one, yet in the face
of the criticism being INDUCED in Gov
ernor Eberhart may yet come out best.