Upstairs at the Downstairs

The Republican draws up his chair to a gleaming cherry wood desk upstairs. Thick maroon carpeting cushions his steps, velvet window draperies smother uncouth sounds, gold leaf gilds the ceiling, a $50,000 painting graces the anteroom. His receptionist answers the phone, saying "Governor Andersen's office." But it does not make the Republican feel any better.

The Democrat draws up his chair to a dented steel desk in the basement. The floor is without so much as a scatter rug, the single window has no curtain, steam pipes clutter the walls, a radiator hisses sometimes. His receptionist answers the phone, saying "Governor Rolvaag's office." The Democrat feels just fine. He may be allowed to come out of the basement very soon now.

For four months, Incumbent Republican Elmer L. Andersen has continued to use the Governor's office in the Minnesota capitol, while Democrat Karl Rolvaag has squatted patiently downstairs. They have been waiting to see who won the election. Last week a three-judge tribunal ruled that Rolvaag led Andersen by 78 votes (out of 1,329,302 cast in November). About all that remains for Andersen's hopes is the possibility of a last-ditch appeal to the State Supreme Court. Said a Rolvaag aide: "It would seem very unlikely Andersen can recover."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.