The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-30
Supplement.
Mankato Free Press.
WHO WILL BE ooVERNoR7

WHO WILL BIZ SONEnNon'
The Question uppermost in the
minds of the Republican of Minnesota
Is, who shall We nominate for Govern
or?' and it cannot be answered at this
time even by the most far sighted poll
tician.
There exists feeling more or less
prominent throughout the state that
Governor McGill lacks the elements OF
magnetism sufficient TO warrant lis re-
nomination in the face OF his narrow es-
cape from defeat two years ago, hence
the chances for his success are cOnsid-
cred somewhat lessened. Whether or
not present opposition and apprehen-
sion will materialize into anything for
midable remains for time and the con-
ventiCn to determine. One thing, how
ever, can I've truly said OF Governor Me-
Gill and that is his every official act has
been performed with strict fidelity and
entire honesty of purpose. That he has
made errors is nothing against him, for
no man can fill the chair Of Governor
without doing so. Men, however, are not
always judged by their good deeds, while
every little mistake is often eXaggera-
ted and mountain made of amOle hill.
If Mr.. McGill is not re-nOminated it will
not be because he has made bad Gov
ernOr, for his administration has been
fully up to the standard. Refusal to ac-
cord him a second term will come from
the fear that he cannot be elected, and
that party expedieucy demands a can
ddate who can hold the voters of that
party together despite and in the face
of the aggressive canvass which will GER
tainly be made by the democrats.
The name of Hon. WIN. r. Merriam,
President of the State Agricultural So
ciety, and Speaker of the House in the
State Legislature, has been frequently
and fayoraby mentioned in con-
nectiOn with the gOvernorship. By
many it is thought that, should Mr..
Merriam be nominated, he would COM
mand stronger following than the pres
ent executive, while on the other hand
many of Mr.. McGill's friends insist that
the Governor is the strongest man the
party can nominate at this time. OF
course it is simply matter of opinion,
and men are quite liable to be blinded
to the weakness of their own choice Just
in the degree that their feelings are al
lowed to give expression to their wishes.
That Mr.. Merriam would make first
class Governor is firmly believed by
those who know him most Intimately.
AS business man he has been won
derfully successful ; as President Of the
State Agricultural Society he has proved
his executive ability in making the last
fair the most successful in the history of
that organization as Speaker of the
House he popularized himself with the
entire legislature by his genial manner
and impartial rulings, all of which would
certainly tend to aid to give his election
if nominated.
Hon. Albert Schaffer is also spoken of,
but the very fact that he is known to be
a low license advocate should be suff-
cient to make Republicans ignore any
claims he may put forth for the Office.
Minnesota is by a large majority IN favor
of the present high license law, and no
man on the Republican side should be
considered for II moment whose express
ed views are not i'll full accord there
with.
Thus the situation appears, and live
ly canvass may be shortly looked for.
Whatever the outcome, Republicans
should make up their minds to stand
manfully by the ticket and see to 1t that
the Democrats are set down upon with
old-time vigor.