Tag Archives: January 9 1889

19th Century, Democrat, Governors, History, Intercession, Minnesota, Politics, State Government

Merriam Becomes Governor 1889

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January 9, 1889 to January 4, 1893

“William R. Merriam becomes the state’s 11th governor on January 9, 1889. As governor, Merriam was a thrifty executive who was more interested in limiting spending than in legislative reform. The most notable legacy of his administration was the adoption of the Australian ballot system, which allows citizens to vote in comparative privacy.” *

Thank You for the work Merriam did for the state of Minnesota. Thank You for a governor that limited spending, made voting private, and also helped establish the census.Remember the good done by this man and bless his memory!

Jesus, our election season is upon us. I dread the level of contempt and contention within my own party! I dread that we are so stratified that we tolerate a party system, I dread that we are so stratified that we tolerate a party system, or still believe it necessary to our liberties. Read John Adams’ quote below:

“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution. This is, to my understanding, a major root of bitterness that unnecessarily divides our society.”* 

I concur with President Adams, this is a major root of bitterness that unnecessarily divides our society.

As your child, I acknowledge to You that we have judged our brother’s political and leadership choices. We argue without the intent of sharpening and testing ideas. We banter and bash each other into compliance, but  do not serve each other in submission. The strong win, and the weak lose. 

We have offended Your righteous order by choosing separation from our “naive”, “heartless”, “brainless”, “racist”, “sexist”, “classist”, “homophobic”, “Islamophobic”, neighbors. I ask that You choose to remember these words of judgment no more. Forgive our one word dismissals of our neighbors. Today I ask that we as a people will receive words from You to heal our personal relationships, and overflow to our state.

Most of the time, most of us would rather shout down our verbal opponent, shame him or her into compliance, than dare ask ‘Why’? Would it be so wrong to see it from an opponent’s view: “Why do you believe “X” will benefit our state? Please tell me about your views.” I ask You the “Why?” question Lord! Why are we so stubborn to cling to our own ideas, and fail to trust enough to allow them to be strengthened by scrutiny or testing?

We have hidden our hearts from each other Lord! We have held on to anger and fear and resentment. We have loved winning the argument through emotional manipulation! We have loved winning the argument through framing the meaning of facts! Will You free us from this heritage of division that comes through the channel of political party and elections?

  I thank You for the freedom of conscience that we inherit because Governor Merriam chose to introduce the Australian system of ballots cast in secret. We are protected, in the voting booth at least, from scorn and forces of external manipulation! We can anonymously reveal our inward thoughts! Again, bless this freedom, bless Australia, and the memory of William Merriam!

* http://www.mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm

**https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Adams

 

 

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19th Century, Agriculture, Governors, History, Industry, Intercession, law, Minnesota, omnipresent history, Politics, Republican, State Government

McGill Becomes Governor

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January 5, 1887 to January 9, 1889

“A. R. McGill becomes the state’s 10th governor on January 5, 1887. During his term he recommends a revision of the railroad laws pertaining to transportation, storage, and grading of wheat; the watering of railroad stocks; a simplification of the tax laws; regulation of liquor; abolition of contract prison labor; establishment of a soldiers’ home; and creation of a Bureau of Labor Statistics.” *

“Transcript

Office of COUNTY AUDITOR, Marshall County Warren, Minn. March 16th 1887 Gov. A. R. McGill St. Paul, Minn. Honorable Sir: I enclose herewith Application from our County for Seed Grain, showing Number of Applicants and Amt of grain desired. We have allowed no one applicant to exceed the Maximum limit of $75.00 worth of grain, although many applied for much larger amounts. You will notice that the average am[oun]t we have allowed each applicant is only about $55.00 worth. We trust that you will allow our County a sufficient apportionment to cover the amount which we have asked for, as these applicants are certainly in needy circumstances. Trusting that our application is all correct and that there will be no delay in getting our apportionment, I am Sir Respectfully Yours, W. F. Powell Ch Bd. of Co. Commissioners Marshall County W. F. Powell. Co. Aud. 

(March. 16th 1887 Matters relating to applications for seed grain relief)” **

Lord, this doesn’t seem like a man whose governorship aroused much controversy at first glance. However, each change in law impacted a powerful coalition or group of Minnesotans. Changing law often seems to use an element of force to exert authority. But how do You view the elimination of law from an eternal perspective?

From what I gather about local perceptions of Governor McGill, he had a mixed reviews. On one hand, he had to mediate between the powerful lobby of the rails, yet gain concessions much needed by Minnesota interests’: farming, lumber, and mining. 

So what did he accomplish, and did he find a middle path?

“During his tenure, a state normal school was established in Moorhead; the improvement of state railroad laws was promoted; iron ore was discovered in the Mesabi Range; liquor regulations were supported; and a state school tax was sanctioned.” ***

Will You forgive our bitterness that comes with new laws whether local, state, or federal? Will You forgive us for the anger we have felt over the perceived loss of freedoms, liberties, and or benefits to us or our business? The state may attempt to take away rights that are not theirs, and give rights that they do not possess in the first place. 

Lord, help us find the middle ground! Will You forgive our usurpation of the other man’s inalienable rights, and teach us how to better protect them in the future? May our civic laws never surpass our privilege to love You, the Lord our G-d, our neighbor, and ourselves!

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 ESV ****

* http://www.mnhs.org/about/dipity_timeline.htm

** http://reflections.mndigital.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/mhs/id/624/rec/

*** https://www.nga.org/cms/home/governors/past-governors-bios/page_minnesota/col2-content/main-content-list/title_mcgill_andrew.default.html

****http://biblehub.com/colossians/3-14.htm

 

 

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