The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-06-25
THE CONGRESSIONAL
QUESTION

,,d n;.,.: .emaining but few
"a. .e Republicans of the Sec
.ct will assemble To select a
date to succeed Congressman
wakefield. In the choice of this man
Blue Earth county is especially interest
ed, and the Republicans of this county
must soon express their preference as
toa candidate. II remains possible that
their choice may be the choice of the
district
The contest has virtually narrowed
down between Messrs. Freeman and
Collester. THE FREE Press has purpose
ly remained independent throughout
the canvass, hoping that the situation
might solve itself, but it seems that such
is not to be the ease. If, therefore, Blue
Earth county is TO take front rank i'm the
nominating convention, il must be clear
tn the Judgment of every candid man
that 1t will be imperative TO center upon
the candidate who il most likely To
develop the greatest following i'm the
district.
I The self-constituted organ of Mr. Col
lester has praised without stint its candi-
date all through the campaign, to which
no one would take exceptions, were II
not for the reckless and extravaeant in
situations thrown ont against Mr.. Free
man and the good will of his candidacy.
Up Ia this time Mr.. Freeman has had
no home paper To denounce as untrue
the flying rumors created to iniure him
before the people, and with no inten-
ton Ia dcsparage Mr.. Collester, whom
we regard very highly, we nevertheless
feel that Mr.. Freeman is entitled To
consideration in his candidacy and fair
treatment nj the hands of his opponents
Mr.. +. has been II resident of Blue Earth
county for the past twenty-five years
and has ever been faithful to the inter
ests of the county. While State Senator
from here in 1869, he Introduced and
successfully championed through the
Senate the appropriation for the Man
kato Normal School. In 1874, when a
Senator from the Jackson district, when
their onslanchts on Normal schools and
succeeded within one vote i'm the State
Senate of abolishins the Normal School
located i'll this city, Senator Freeman's
vote saved it. He was also ut that time
quite active in securing for the pioneers
the appropriation of SJO0,000 for the re-
lief of grasshopper sufferers. For these
and many other acts the old settlers are,
rs they should he, enthusiastic friends
of hIs, not alone in Blue Earth county,
but throughout the entire district.
Mr.. Freeman has also been our Coun-
| ~ Attorney in times past, and no one
can truthfully say he was not fearless
prosecutor of offenders. In his long
years of residence among us no one can
say he has ever been IA trimmer" but
he has always been true to, and expires.
sed his political convictions, whether
wisely or unwisely.
We believe we can truthfully say that
Mr.. Freeman has conducted his cam
paign rs a gentleman, and has neither
used blackguardism nor institutions
against the good faith of the candidacy
of the other worthy aspirants. On the
other hand some of Freeman's opposers
have not hesitated to proclaim that his
candidacy is not in good faith. That he
was in the field i'm the interest of other |
candidates. Were this a fact, no one |
would be more anxious to see him de- |
feated than ourself. But il is false i'm |
every particular, and by authority of, |
and at the request of Mr.. Freeman, we |
would state that he is candidate only |
for himself. That he has made no agree
ment, directly or indirectly nor by impli-
cation in any way whatsoever, TO trans
fer his strength to any other candidate, |
and that he is quite as DESTROYS aa any |
one else to have Blue Earth county car
ry "Tth h"""rs az tho nomination!
The caucuses in the various towns will
be held next " ednesiiay, and it is TO Le
hoped that the farmers especially sill
attend. by this means only ca:l, they
be correctly represented i'm the conaar
and district conventions. TIE hes, r. g..
should be selected, men who. "a eel
will Use their best endeayorg- 10 turf
the most creditable candidf1e give III
for Congressional honors.. possible