The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-04-28


many dwellings destroyed. involving
a loss of about S2I5, 900. 1t is some
thing alarming la note with what /
terrible losses the people of the |
Northwest are being suhjugated hy |
the omniyorouS flames, and should !
arouse the people everywhere to look |
well to their fire departments and !
appliances.
CHARLES Il. DARWIN. the eminent !
naturalist, died last week ut the nd. !
vanced age of 73 years. During his |
lifetime. Mr.. Darwin compiled many
works of Il scientific and literary
nature. and while some of these pro. /!
auctions have been freely criticised T,
and not unfrequently ridiculed 10y the |
leading magazines and newspapers.
there is To he found, nevertheless. by
the thoughtful and careful reader,
much valuable food for mental diges-
ton. 1t was from this mans writ
ings that the term ''Darwinism" had
its origin, and while the subject is too
deep for discussion here. we can say
there are few indeed who accept the
the naturalist S views. that the man
has. in the process of time, been
evolved from the monkey.
FIRES have been quite numerous
throughout Southern Minnesota and
Northern Iowa during the past six
weeks. but happily the loss of proper.
ty has been comparatively light. if we
except the one at Lake City Saturday
morning. This latter conilagratiun
was the worst in the history of the
place, and in fact very few instances
are recorded in the state where the
element Gii its work so effectively,
and the recWniary loss was also great.
Lake City is place upwards of
1900 inhabitants, situated about forty
miles north of Winona. and what
consisted of imposing and substantial!
business blocks-principally of brick
was in few brief hours RACED TO
the ground by the destructive ele
ment. TwO-thirdS of the business
portion of the city was burned, and
the loss incurred footS up TO about
100000 with less than half that
amount covered by insurance. The
fire originated in an old wooden hotel
structure, and is supposed to have
been the work of an incendiary.
TIE New Tin Recter SuStainS the
position taken 10y THE FREE PRESS
last week in regard to Hon. james Il.
Wakelields' candidacy, and the unjust
ness of the Nashville Alliance resolu.
tionS. 1t says:
1t appears 10 us that the Nashville
Centre Martin county Alliance went
out Of its way long distance To pass
Il series of resolutions vilitying Hon.
J. b. Wakefield, because that gentle
man has presumed to become a candi-
the Alliances pleasure. The unjust
imputations cast upon Mr.. Wakefield
by the Alliance in characterizing him
US the "ring" candidate, and the pre-
postcrous presumption that lac is being
''foisted" upon the people of this Con-
gressional district is too contemplate for
comment No one will dispute the
right of any person or society to oppose
the election of Mr.. Wakefield, but il
appears the Nashville Centre Alliance
has yet To learn that nothing can he
gained by uniustlv bcsmirching man.
Mr.. Wakefield is too well known in
this district. and in fact all over the
State, to he injured by the Nashville
Centre Alliance His reputation for
honesty, prohity, and all that combine
10 make representative acceptable 20
the people and Il careful guardian of
the interest Of all CLASSES, is acknowl.
edged by all who know him and are
disposed to do him justice. We have
heretofore taken occasion to say, and We
still believe. that Mr. Wakefield will re-
ceive the Republican Congressional
nomination by acclaim alton.
IT does ones heart good to now
and then see an erring newspaper
look back over its past career, repent,
and make ameHde h0ROrabLe. Such Il
contrition was happily illustrated in
last Mondays Pioneer Press, ut which
time the editor of that great paper,
commenting upon the article in last
weeks FREE PRESS as regards the
candidacy of Hon. James Il. Wake.
field for member of Congress from
this district. concludes as follows:
1t is often pretty difficult TO tell
whether a politician is better or worse
than his reputation. So far as his
public record. goes, Mr.. Wakefield's
career has been an honorable one. AS
congressman run. he would doubtless
make far better one than they
average. 1t Is absurd to pretend that |
he belongs to the highest type of |
characters, but he possesses the quail |
fications which would perhaps render
him more useful and efficient than if |
he approached nearer to the ideal
standard of fitness. He is capable of
rendering great public service in such
Il position, and it may fairly be said
VI IiiI' We iilillh, lIldI lie Is one Ol
those men who would be less likely TO
degenerate with the temptations of Il
high Office than to improve and
broaden with its responsibilities.
Now we consider this most
marked commentator Of Mr.. Wake.
field, and coming, us it does, from Il
paper that for years past has been
blind TO everything and all men save
the late illustrious Pillsbury. 1t
should, and will carry conviction
with it as to our candidates emf.
nent qualifications for the position.
THE FREE PRESS, in behalf of itself,
is pleased to acknowledge itsthanks
to the p. p. for the kindly words
spoken in behalf of Southern Min
nesota citizen, whom the Republicans
of the new Second District will NOM
mate and elect to represent them in
the next House of Representatives.