St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-04-16
MANKATO OPINIONS.
Blue Earth County Evidently Not
in Favor Of McGill.

Special to the Globe.
MANKATo, April 15.-The Republic
ans of Mankato and vicinity are as
rule extremely reticent upon the ques-
ton Of choice of candidate for gov
ernor. Some have not formed an
opinion, some who have heretofore been
quite active in politics now say they are
out of politics, some have personal in
terestS at stake and others who two
years ago supported McGill and now
favor Merriam deem they will be held
inconsistent if quoted as supporting
Merriam at the present time. However,
among those who do not wish to be
of expression in favor of Merriam. All
unite in declaring that Scheffer
cuts no figure in the case,
and many go so far as to
assert that he has made a serious
political blunder in accepting the Al
lance nomination. 1t is not to be won
dered at that there is such hesitancy
in Republican political expression, but
those who will say anything talk plainly
and to the point, as the following in
terviews bya GLOBE representative will
Witness:
l.. z. Hunt, Editor Mankato Free
Press-I would much prefer not to dis
cuss the question of governor, as you
know the Free Press supported Gov.
McGill two years ago with all the earn
estneSS at its command, and am per-
sonally as friendly toward him now as
then. The fact that he skinned"
through on such close margin has
tended to draw out a feeling of diStrust
that he is hardly strong enough to go
into the coming canvass as the standard
bearer of the Republican party.
Whether this feeling is sufficiently
rooted in the minds of the members of
the party at large to cause his defeat in
the nominating convention | certainly
do not know. But one thing l do feel
morally certain of and that is Mime
sofa will elect a Republican governor.
whether it be McGill, Merriam. Braden
or an other of the several men men
toned i'll connection with the office.
'What do you think of Merriam's
chanceS?
81 plead ignorant of knowing any
thing of Mr.. Merriam'S chances. My
acquaintance with the gentleman is
quite limited, but, from what do know
of him personally, l certainly admire
the man. He is brainy fellow and a
business man whose regulations for in
tegrity stands second to no one in the
state. The only opposition thus far de-
veloped in the Democratic camp is that
Merriam is banker and has accumu-
lated a fortune through strict business
methods. Things have come to pretty
pass if success in business means dis
qualification for Office. 1t is certainly
novel discovery"
''What about Scheffer?"
''Scheffer is no longer Republican so
far as his candidacy for governor is con-
cerned. He stands upon the national
Democratic platform-free trade-and
Ames' platform--free whisky. 1t will
be cold day when Scheffer gets any as
sistance from Republicans. It is alto
gether inconsistent with the very ma
ture of his recent flop that he or his
friends should hope for Republican in
dorsement. The party has plenty OF
men in its own ranks whose loyalty to
the principles of the party entitle them
to consideration, but Scheffer is not one
of them"
p. w. Pitcher, Secretary Republican
Club of Mankato = The Republican
party came too near being defeated two
years ago to again try such weak man