The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-03-13

suggested that Mr.. Wizards name
head Citizens ticket.
Jno. n. Hall made some remarks.
With the best brain of the city in the
mayors chair and in the council, the
city may be able to take advantage OF
the thousand opportunities lying
about it. We should add 1000 each
year to our population. He would be
glad to see Mr.. Willard unanimously
elected
Hon. John T. Meagher was called
on and said that he heartily endorsed
the meeting. 1t was the best caucus
he ever attended. He hoped that no
one was present who made the welfare
of the city secondary toany party con-
siderations. He was so pleased with
the audience that turned out that he
favored nominating full city ticket,
as no better caucus could be found.
The mayor is tied and shackled I'M
less he has a council fayorably dis
posed. Mr.. John A. Willard was
his first, last and only choice
for mayor. He can do us great deal
of good if properly supported. To as
sure this, he strongly urged that a
full ticket be put in the field. If the
ward conventions would endorse the
ticket, all was well, but woe to the
party that should put up another
ticket. 1t would be great injustice
to Mr.. Willard to ask him to surren-
der his time, and then shackle him
with poor council.
Mr.. Hunt moved that Mr.. Willard
be the nominee of the meeting as the
head of Citizens ticket
Judge Severance seconded the mo-
ton, because the meeting is non-par-
tisan and because he believed Mr..
Willard to be in every way compet-
ent and worthy of the nomination.
He believed him to be fit for the po-
sition, because he is deeply interested
in the city, and his interests cannot
be severed from those of the city.
The motion was unanimously car
ried by a rising vote, amid great &C
clamation.
Mr.. Willard having just entered
was called for and responded, being
greeted with great applause. He was
evidently much embarrassed and
spoke with great feeling. He said
that he had arrived in the city on the
noon train after weeks absence and
had not known of the real purpose of
the meeting. He was f1attered by
the confidence of the people. But
it was well nigh impossible that
he should be candidate. He didn't
want the Office, and had so much
private business to attend to that he
could not attend to the public bust
ness. Then, he did not know that the
rest of the people wanted him. (Cries
of eve are all here.") There are a
score of better men in the room. If
circumstances are such that it was
necessary, he might accept the NOM
ination. He feared that he would be
unwillingly and by necessity guilty of
breach of trust through inattention
to the city. While many had spoken
to him on the subject, he had told all
that he would not take it. He ought
to say that he would not take it.
(Cries of Don't do it."l The audience
then can take the next best man.
(Cries of mo, we won't.")
Gen. Pope explained to Mr.. Willard
the unanimous feeling in the city in
favor of his nomination.
Mr.. Willard then stated that he
was deeply impressed with the con-
fidence shown him. He had lived
here 80 or "a years, and it was truly a
compliment, which he appreciated.
He felt that if it was the real wish
of the people he would not decline.
applause He felt that no man
should decline to accept a burden for
the public good. 1t would be a burd-
en-, but if it was the real wish of the
people (cries of ut ISL he would &C
cept the nomination. Great ap-
plause.)
Mr.. Hall urged that the balance of
the city ticket be nominated.
Judge Severance moved that a COM
mittee of five be appointed by the
chair to report at once nominations
for aldermen, one from each of the
six precincts.
On motion of Col. Mead, the mo-
ton was amended that the committee
consist of three from each precinct.
S. w. Gleason moved to amend that
the nomination for aldermen from the
different wards be referred to the
several wards. The chair ruled this
out of order
Judge Torrey moved to amend so
that the committee postpone its sell
ections until it can report to the ward
caucuses. He thought that it would
be fairer, inasmuch as the representa-
tion of the different precincts at the
meeting might be unequal.
rThnc pnbon c+o