The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-07-09
HON. A. r. McGILL INTERVIEWED

HON. A. R. McGILL INTERVIEWED.
State Insurance Commissioner McGill
was in the city Wednesday and por-
ton of Thursday, and reporter of TIE
FREE PRESS applied the interviewer's
pencil to the gentleman with very excel
lent success. 1t has been known for
several weeks that Mr.. McGill's friends
have been very anxious that his name
should be formally announced in con-
ncction with the Republican nomination
for Governor, but this has now become UNI
necessary, as his candidacy is now so
well established, and his strength is so
well known that there is no lon
ger any question about his posi-
ton. He is before the good
people of Minnesota Il full-hedged
candidate, and not only candidate in
tho general acceptation of the term, but
he is candidate that is bound to prove
winner in the coming contest. He has
host of friends in all portions of the
State, who will rally to his support with
an enthusiasm and determination that
will carry victory To their candidate. and
the State will have reasons to be proud
of its executive.
During his brief stay i'm Mankato, Mr..
| M..l, a
tcsy by all, and the large number of del
egates IN attendance upon the district
convention were practically unit for
him rs their choice for Governor. lie is
gentleman of magnificent address, a
thoroughly upright and honorable citi-
zen, a man who makes friends wherever
he goes, and one who can always be re-
lied upon and fully trusted. Above all,
he is free To express his convictions up
on all occasions and under all circum-
stances, and in such frank, comprehen-
sive manner as To leave no differences to
be drawn us to ms position.
Being permitted To meet him for few
moments our reporter took advantage of
the opportunity, us before minated. to
sound Mr.. McIiill upon some of the inn
poriant issues which will enter into the
gubcrnatorial canvass, and the interview
is here given:
How do you like the Congressional
nomination, and is there any truth i'm the
charge made In the Pioneer Press that
you bargained for the nomination OF
Lind ut the expense of Freeman and
Smith?
The latter portion of your question re-
ally needs no reply. Neither Mr. Free
man nor Mr.. Smith hasany idea that the
charge or intimatiOn contains an element
of truth. They are both men who hon.
or me with their friendship, and never
even Thought of Il combination against
them. 1t is simply a bit of newspaper
work, but there is no truth whatever in
il. Mr.. Lind is also personal friend OF
mine, and naturally his nomination is
gratifying To me. The work which con.
fronted the convention was the choosing
of candidate from among several aspir-
ants, all of whom were worthy and well
qualified for the position. The candi
date chosen needs no commentator al
/ /
man, and believe his nomination vii
give the best of satisfaction Throughout
, the district. More than $4,000 of the
citizens of this State were born in
Sweden. They are of our best and mOs
progressive republicans, and by then
Mr.. Lnd's nomination will be especially
well received. | am not one who thinks
that, being born i'm Sweden, is uualifi
cation for office; but | do think that nc
one should be ignored because born
there. Mr.. Lind stood as a candidate
on his merits as an American citizen
and while many of the delegates had
other preferences, all will cheerfully
concede his ability and sterling worth
While yet boy Mr.. Lind was the victim
of an accident which deprived him of his
left hand, but it did not deprive him OF
his courage. With the one hand left him
and a brave heart he went forward in
the battle of life and conquered, and to-
day stands before the State conspicuous
for his ability, for his fearless integrity
and prime manhood.
What about the republican party
Having lost control of the offices can il
: be held together as heretofore?
The republican party has always been
Il party of high and cnnobling purposes.
Without IA moral principle to fight for
its course would be uncertain and pur-
poseless, like Il ship at sea without q
rudder. Unlike the democratic party
it cannot make good fight unless the is,
sues involve some moral question, or inn
portant political principle. 1t is not a
spells party, and on Il question simply OF
who should have the offices, could moi
hold during single campaign. One
cannot but admire the steadfast adhesion
of democrats to their party simply as a
party, and without regard to the issues
ut stake. But the republicans are not
built that way-they can only be warm.
ed into active efforts when fighting fol
something which appeals to the moral
conscience. There are plenty of live is
sues to hold 1t together in all its vigol
and strength.
What important questions of the day il
there III your opinion demanding consid
Grafton of the republican party?
The questions of the day which are
crowding forward for recognition, are OF
great consequence. In fact, since the
foundation of the government, | am sure
no party has been called upon to dea
with matters of such far reaching impor
lance. Between capital and labor, fol
instance, there should be no estrange
ment, and yet throughout the country
the one stands to-day i'm menacing att
!, tude towards the other, Notwithstanding
the patent fact that they are dependent
upon each other. Capital furnishes EN-
pioyment To labor, without whose aid il
is powerless. In my judgment the most
important politico-or political-econom-
lie question before the world to-day, il
/, the proper adjustment of the relations
between capital and labor. 1t is no
right that the former should dominate
the latter, nor is it best for the country
The more you exalt the laboring classes
the more nearly you approach that form
of government and civilization mos
pleasing to the Great Ruler. These re
iations should be SO adjusted that every
industrious laborcr of frugal habits nigh
receive enough to provide for the com
fort of his family, the education of hi,
children, and have such hours for recre
alton and improvement as would relieve
the tedium of life and distinctly mari
, the difference between free, ennobline
labor and the drudgery of slavery.
And this leads to a vital question in
our social-industrial systematic compe
ton between prison and free labor, OF
! rather the intrusion of the products O
prison labor into the markets in depreci
alton of the products of free labor. The
, wonder is that honest mechanics have
, not long ago rebelled against so unjust &
system-a system which brings the WORK
of their hands into competition with tina
of criminals. There is nothing right
about this, and the republican party can