The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-12-27

cuted in Virginia and at what cost be
cause Of his republication. With mar
row, stand-pat, pie-counter, plum-tree
republicans that tragic tale made an
impression. He also played policy,
which helped. In 1895, while yet city
attorney, Morris was appointed by the
governor to a vacancy on the district
bench. That brought increased emolu-
ments, influence and political power.
Towne Tumbled Down.
Charles A. Towne was elected to
congress in 1894 and became the idol
of the republican party as well as put
Duluth on the national map as no other
congressman ever did, before or since.
In 1896, however, he remained true to
his free silver principles, thereby elm.
mating himself from the dominant
wing Of his party.
The local republican machine, run
by Lee Willcuts, William Getty, Jo-
seph Sellwood, the Minnesota Iron COM
pany, ct al, was hard pressed for q
candidate to oppose Towne, who had
been taken up by the democrats, popul-
lists and silver republicans.
It finally was decided to run Page
Morris.
The occupant Of the district bench
liked the idea Of going to congress, but
he had no desire to taste defeat at the
hands Of Towne. He held back until
ample assurances were made for the
future, either in defeat or success.
Many truly believe that his acquisition
of an iron mine came that way, al.
though he tells different story.
Page Morris made the race and was
elected.
That was some campaign, dear reader.
Money was poured out like water and,
in those panic days, a dollar went five
times as far as now. Bankers, mer.
chants and politicians put the screws
on every voter possible. Many a man
whose heart was with Towne literally
was forced to vote for Morris.
Chronic Brainstorms.
Page Morris today has brainstorms
when the red flag, red literature or red
radicals are mentioned. Even a sus-
picion Of red radicalism, unproven and
without explanation, is enough to set
him snarling, as in the recent Lichten
case. Imagination or prejudice 90
far in influencing the temperamental
Morris.
But, strange as it may seem, the
Morris election to congress in 1896
was due to the use of little red card.
In those days, the employees of the
Minnesota Iron company on the iron
ranges were political poems. They were
compelled to vote in harmony with
their paychecks and the. orders of the
mining bosses. A measure of eman-
cipation came after the U. s. Steel cor.
poration took control in 1900, but that s
another story.
Miners, clerks, and other employees,
whether literate or illiterate, were not
permitted to mark their own ballots.
The judges of election did that and
those judges always were mining super
intendents and bosses. When an en-
ploye went to the polls, and he was
compelled to 60 if he valued his Job,
he carried a red card, bearing these
words:
I cannot Read and write English.
I Want to Vote
The Straight Republican Ticket.
That ticket was handed to the Judges
Of election, one of whom marked the
mining employees ballot for him. Any
objection to that meant summary dis
charge.
In one election, when Morris opposed
Towne, 2O1 votes were cast at Soudan.
Morris polled 200 votes and Towne
vote. Nearly every one of the Morris
voters was compelled to use that little
red card. The election was so close
that the peon vote pulled Morris
through two different times.
Prepared Place to Fall.
Morris served three terms in con-
gress. During his last term, he managed
to see to it that new u. 8. judicial
district was carved out in Minnesota.
After his congressional term expired,
March 4, 1908, President Roosevelt ap-
pointed the former Virginian to seat
on that bench. There he has been ever
since and there he can stay for life and
during good behavior, unless he de-
cides to retire on half-pay at the age
of 20, something three and half years
distant.
The Great Family Journal has no ex-
preston to offer on Page Morris ,
ability as an u. 8. district judge. Any
lawyer, if you can induce him to talk,
more properly can express an opinion
or give information. It has been
noticed however, that there is a feeling
of satisfaction on the part of the
lawyers every time Judge Booth pre-
sides over term or session of court in
Duluth.
In his autobiography Judge Morris
calls himself a "dignified and impair
tial jurist''. In another place he
speaks of his "urbanity". The Great
Family Journal will endeavor to throw
few sidelights on some of Judge Nor
ris estimates of himself.
Snarled at Commoners.
In 1917, reputable resident of War.
road, born in Iceland, who had supposed
himself a citizen, found doubts as to
the fact and took steps to perfect his
American citizenship. As witnesses,
he secured William E. McEwen and
William Tunnel, two native-born and
reputable citizens.
When the applicant for citizenship
and his witnesses come before Judge