The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1890-09-12
THE FARMERS TICKET.

politician ana ONCE seekers SdnQWltCHeu
IN with just enough farmers to give it a
name. If, however, lobbiests and candi-
dates had been allowed a voice in voting,
the honest granger would have surely got
lost in the shuttle, and been unable to find
himself.
The Blue Earth County Farmers ALI
an &c, by its action Friday. has proven
precisely what the FREE PRESS had expect
ed 1t was manipulated by few ambitious
Democratic politicians who have no more
sympathy for the welfare of the farm
ers or interest in their cause. than to use
them for snubbing post with which to
8 draw themselves into office. The specta-
Gle presented by the nominations is truly
amusing amusing even to absurdity-and
disgusting in the extreme to every honest
farmer who went into the Alliance con-
scientiously believing that needed reforms
might be wrought out through that channel.
The proceedings show that it was simply a
grand sideshow to the main Democratic
circus which occurred Saturday. Mayor
Pau was there as ring-master and Baker
as the leading clown. Pau snapped his
whip as signal for Diamond to do the
double trick and bareback riding act,
while that great political reformer, Gen.
Baker, made himself pretty to do the
funny work on the outside and the in
side of the ring. 1t was an entertaining
exhibition. The farmers were made to
drive the stakes and erect the polls,
while the sleek-tongued politicians were
splitting on their hands preparatory to
ascending to the uppermost top of the
canvass, there to do the tight rope walk
ing with the scalp of farmer in each
grip as an equalizer or balance with
which to walk into Office. What grand
double ring performance! 1t was diff
cult for the honest farmer to watch both
SIGNALS had no difficulty in keeping
things "a hummin', and if there prom
ised to be lull Pfau's whip cracked and
Diamonds Jack would up and introduce
new and unexpected trick for the edi-
fication of his auditors. And 80 it went
with the full band playing rapid music
while the performers got in their work.
The farmers evidently became dazed, or
else they lost their heads almost COM
pletely. Senator Pope, for the past
four years the most active man in Min
nesota against the longer reign of extor-
tionate freight rates In the state, and
man whose every effort in getting lower
tariff from railroads was in direct line
with the demands of the farmers, was,
when the time presented itself for re-
cogn1tion of his earnest works, thrown
overheard, and Mr.. Pau, who has never
shown by word, act or deed that he had
anything in common with the interests
of the agriculturists of the state, was
nominated to represent their case in the
state senate. A business man, who had
proven himself worthy the undivided
support of the Alliance, who to-day
stands as the sworn enemy of every un-
ust exaction of corporations, who is fear
ed and denounced by every railroad
company in the state for the stand he
has taken against them, is supplanted in
mis- aspirations to prosecute the good
work by man who has no record on
these thing, but who, it is reported,
whether true or false, is the very man
of ali others that the railroads will not
object to and in fact whom they most de-
sire. Mr.. Pope showed up well in the
convention and his vote showed that
large minority, at least, Of the conven-
gention, did not approve of the nomin-
alton of railroad LAWYER TO champion
the cause ot farmers. BUTT could not be
helped. The decree had gone forth
that Baker must have Pau on the tick.
ct in order to help him out with the
Democratic convention.
Mr.. Robel, the candidate for sheriff,
whom it was tacitly understood was
Pfau's man, was thrown over for Glynn,
as it was understood that too many Ger
mans would not down, and Mr.. Pau
d belonging to that nationality, had no al
tentative, in his struggle for self preser-
Vation, but to crack his whip over Robels
carcass.
We have not the space to go farther
into detail, but one thing must be patent
TO every honest mind, not clouded by
prejudice or warped by interest, that
the action of the Good Thunder conven-
ton, IN some nominations at least, will
be great disappointment to the large
mass of farmers throughout the county.
The legislative ticket, aside from SEN
ator, is representative. 1t is made of
honest farmers, and when you say this
you have completed the ticket so far as
the farmers are concerned. Three Re-
publican county officials were nominal
ed simply and solely because there were
no other applicants and as cover for
The Democrats to hide behind. The
three are deserving, but no more 80
than the balance of the Republican tick
ct nominated on Tuesday. This, who
ever, is not the point. 1t matters not
whether the makeup of the Alliance
ticket were all Democrats or all Repub-