The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-08-20
THE GOOD THUNDER CONVENTION

A good deal OF speculation is rife re-
yarding the probable outcome of the
Good Thunder convention. As matters
now stand it looks as though the affair
was TO be free-for-all-wIth chances
iavoring the pool or picked horses.
What particular advantage il TO be
gained by the people through this move
ment does not appear upon the surface;
but that there may be something gained
by the oflice-seekers who succeed in
getting the endorsement of the conven-
ton is possible. If the fundamental
principles of this new movement are
correctly understood, il is non-politicai
in its nature, and wholly distinct from
all other parties or party affiliations.
But will the result prove il immaculate
There are some matters which have |
come To the car of TIE FREE Press with
in day or two that may tend to furnish
some points of interest and possibly of
profit TO those who have become allied
with the Good Thunder convention
through conscientious and unselfish mo-
tiyes, and they will he gwen as Impart-
ed to us.
In the first place the scheme AZ now
proposed is to place in nomination J. W.
Fowler for Sheriff, w. b. Torrey for
Clerk of Courts, and Mr.. Champlin, of
Vernon Center, for State Senator
Democrats. A few Republicans will be
added to the ticket us a matter of course
in order to make it appear non-partisan
or rather divide up" between the two
parties. The Democrats of course are
aiding the movement TO the best of their
ability, for il il well known and conced
cd that left To themselves, independent
of Republican aid, the Democrats could
,.s,s,.,.iSc ucKeI. mere then. Is we'll
laid plan for the Democrats, hiding be-
hind the skirts of the farmers and labor
ing men, to secure goodly portion of
the county officers, and 10 make the af-
fair successful, certain Democrats i'm the
county are being solicited to he on hand
at the convention in order to hold the
power and steer the rudder. Whether
or not the slate AZ arranged will 20
through without being smashed to
smithereens depends largely upon the
Republicans of the county, and the men
who have joined in this movement for
ether than "ring rule"
In speaking of this matter THE FREE
Press is guided only by desire TO see
fair play. and to put the people
on their guard. If the rumors
as given above shall prove unfounded,
no harm will have been done. If true,
the people will be in a position to guard
against the handicapping of the action
of the convention by few individuals.
In MankatO there are two labor organ
izations-one the Knights of Labor and
the other the Workingmen's Club.
There is an organization called the "B.
of r., which we are informed is also
composed of laboring men-non -politi-
cal in its nature, and strongly opposed
to any and everything in the form of
monopoly. These organizations are all
formed for mutual aid and protection to
It's members-ohjects entirely worthy
and commendable. 1t is understood
that from fifty 10 seventy-five of the
members OF these different lodges will
attend the conventiOn-and no one has
right to question the honesty of their
intentions or to impugn their motives.
The call especially included laboring
men as well as farmers. But evidently
there is more than one way of "skinning
II cat" The following order has been
handed us which We reproduce terJatim
al Eterdttm
COUNCIL Room "B. OF f."
Mankato, MIMI, Aug. 5, 1886.
Sir and Brother:
1t becomes my duty to inform You
| that council il called for Saturday,
Aug. 9TH, ut Sp. IN. sharp in regard To
what action we shall take relative To Il
| call for convention of wOrkingmen and
farmers. You will please be present if
possible, as this matter requires careful
consideration by all equity members.
Fraternally
l.. WILSON, Recorder.
Upon the face of this order there is
nothing that can be construed as impro
per in any particular. Behind this or
der everything may he as clean as wash
ed wool and az open to the light of day
asa diamond ring. The FREE Press
knows some of the members Of this or
der and knowing them is conscientious
i'll the belief that they would not WHITING
ly contribute to fixing slate" or deal
ing in politics to any particular extent.
Ii also knows other members of the or
der who, were il not for politics, woul Il
question whether or not life il worth
the living. From one who was there, it
has been told us that a portion of the
time of the meeting was devoted to dis
cussing the chances for the nomination
and election of w. b. Torrey as Clerk of
Courts. A committee was appointed, our
informant says, composed of SIX gentle
men. The names We have in our posses
sion but for reasons not necessary to state
they are withheld from publication at
this time. Whether the duties of the COM
mittee are to confer with the other labor
organizations regarding the Good Thun-
der convention, or whether they are TO
attend the convention i'm person, The
FREE PRESS will not pretend to say; but
that each member of the aforesaid COM
mlttee will be at Good Thunder is pref
ty safe to assume, and that Mr. Torrey's
nomination by that convention will be
urged is matter that hardly admits of
doubt.
1t is not believed that the instigators
of the Good Thunder convention had
any idea who would be nominated for
the various Offices when the call was
made, and TIE FREE PRESS is of the opin-
ion that when the meeting assemblies
some Of these pre-arranged states will be
badly broken up, if indeed it shall be
proven that there are any states.
In conclusion The FREE Press desires
to state frankly and openly that what
has been said in this article is intended
to cast no reflection whatever against
any of our labor organizations or against |
the Good Thunder convention. Ii has
stated i'm a straightforward way that |
which has come TO the editor unsolicited,
and the matter is simply given for what
ii is worth.
AMONG OUR NEIdHBORs.