The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-04-06
THE CITY ELECTION.

IL the result of Tuesdays election
teaches anything, it demonstrates that
while Republican wards cast light |
vote, the Democratic wards count di-
rectly opposite. In the Third and
Fourth wards, both strongly Repub-
lican, less than u two.thirds vote was
cast, while in the Second an unprece.
denied heavy vote was polled, and in
the First. the usual 200 and over Dem.
ocratic majority was awarded the can.
didates of that party.
BY looking into the returns, it will
be observed that the Third ward poll
ell only lS2 votes. while it should, at
low estimate, have produced $50.
So i'm the Fourth. Instead of count.
ing 249 votes, there should have been
S25. Had either of these wards east
Il reasonably good vote, the Republic.
ans would have elected their Record
er and Treasurer. The trouble is. the
Republicans will no, come out, while
the Democrats never stay at home
when there is any voting to be done,
AMI the result is the one party wins
through activity, and the other loses
through lethargy, or Il disregard for
the success of their ticket. This stay
ing away from the polls is all wrong.
Ii there is to he an improvement
wrought in the government of our
municipal affairs, it must be brought
about through the election of class
of men who have public spirit and
energy sufficient to accomplish the
desired result.
In the nomination of Alderman.
the Fourth ward seems to have re.
peated the folly of II year ago. 10y put
ting up candidate that the majority
OF the people could not, or ut least
would not, support. Mr.. Jesse Welch,
while he put forth no effort for re-
nomination, should have been placed
on the ticket. He has made a good
alderman, and there was no cogent
reason for throwing him overheard.
1t is claimed. but with what degree
of truthfulnesS we do not pretend to
say. that Mr.. PolchOw WAS put up be.
cause it was understood he would IA
vor a reduction of licenses if elected.
Mr.. McMurtrie's Ghe Democratic
nomineel position on this question,
was represented us being against such
"a move, and the result of the election
gives him majority of three votes
proof positive that the people of that
ward are against reducing the present
saloon license. For two consecutive
years, then, the Republican caucus
manipulators have placed in nomina.
alton men for aldermen whom the
/ majority of the voters would not sup.
port at the polls, and for this We
have two Democratic aldermen from
Il ward that is good for lis Republic
can majority on general issues. And
whose fault is it? Is it the fault of
the men who nominate Not any.
1t is the FAULT of the - stay at homes"
the element that will not come out to
the caucus and throw whatever inilu.
ence Is necessary to nominate an ac.
! ceptable candidate, and then 90 to
work and elect him. A few more
years Of this little less than criminal
negligence on the part of the Re-
publican masses of the Fourth ward,
will make it as hopelessly Democratic
rs the First.
The result in the Second ward over
the alderInanic contest was not un-
looked-for, but it is nevertheless to be
regretted. Without speaking dispar.
agingly of Mr.. Hoerr. we are never
theless free to say, that Mr.. Long
should have been elected. simply be.
cause he IL the better qualified to fill
the position, and this is sufficient
reason. He is one of the very best
business men we have-is gentle
man possessed of progressive ideas,
and has the force OF character to take
Il position on matters of public i'm.
portance and maintain it To the end.
Mr.. Long is the sort of man that
should be encouraged To take hold of,
and assist in eIevating the standing of
our city, and not be put down simply
because his political views are not in
accordance with a small majority of
the voters of his precinct.
While we cannot commend the &C.
ton of the Republicans of the Fourth
ward in staying away from the eau.
Gus, they are entitled to credit in elect.
ing the best man to office. whether he
be Republican or Democrat, and were
the people Of the Second ward pos.
sessed of the same broad-gauged
views, Mr.. Long would have easily
succeeded. If politics and not men
is to he the watchword. it is to be
feared that it Will be a long time be
fore Mankato is placed where she be.
longs in the line of progress and thrift.
Nature has dealt lavishly with our
city, but the progressiveness of her
guardians is not marked in any spe-
cial degree, and whether or not there
is to be an improvement in this re.
spect the coming year, time alone can
decide.
- -
FOR DAKOTA.
AS we have before remarked, and
as the people of this section are only
too well aware, the tide of emigration
INTO Dakota this year is unpreceden.
ted and Save the SiOux City J.ur,o,J