The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-03-13
.PALnIR'S PERSIMMON.
The Democratic Candidate for
Senator from Illinois Fin.
ally Elected,
Two Of the Farmers Mutual
Benefit Association Voting
for Him.
Democratic Enthusiasm Uncorked All
Over the State in Honor Of
the Event.

SPRINGFIELD, Ills, March 12.-The
greatest senatorial contest in the history
of the State of Illinois has come to an
end by the election of Gen. John M.
Palmer on the 154th ballot. Cockren
and Moore voted with the Democrats,
and their colleague, Taubeneck, voted
for Streeter. The 100 Republicans voted
solidly for Cicero J. Lindley. The con-
test consumed more than fifty days, and
absorbed more than $15O,OOO of
the peoples money. The battle
has been desperately fought. Mem
bers have voted for and against
Palmer on touches of suffering. The
chamber of the joint body has been little
less than hospital for weeks. Some
OF the scenes and incidents have been
exceedingly touching. Members attended
by their physicians and wives, turning
and twisting, and groaning with pain,
have voted Mo" to the proposition for
an adjournment when their being car
ried to their hotels from the exciting
scenes of the battle seemed necessary to
save their lives. The conduct of the
three f. M. B. A. members throughout
the contest has been honest. Taubeneck
went over to the Republicans before he
left his home to attend the legislature.
Moore and Cockrell have vacillated and
hesitated, but their
Integrity Has Never Been Questioned.
The scenes when the joint assembly
was called to order were exciting in the
extreme. When the rolls were ordered
called on the 10th ballot for United
States senator the Republicans refrained
from voting, but when Palmers' cleo
ton was assured they plunged solidly
for Lindley. When the name of Cock
rell was reached he rose and asked leave
to explain his vote. The Democrats
shouted Leave, Leave" and the Re
publicans yelled, "Object, ""No. ""No. !"
The noise became SO great that the
not be heard. At length Cockrell
shouted Palmer" and the Democrats
Shouted and Yelled and Pounded
their desks with wild delight When
order had been restored the vote was
proceeded with uninterruptedly until
the name of DR.. Moore was reached. He
arose and in a clear voice responded:
John NJ. Palmer" 1t was then that
pandemOnium was let loose. The scene
was indescribable. Palmer's election
had been secured and the Democrats
could not contain themselves. The re-
mainder of the roll was called with diff
ficulty. However, the shouts of
"Palmer" could be heard above tie din,
and when Speaker Crafts voted the
shouts were renewed. The speaker
finally announced the ballot and the
final vote of the contest, and formally
declared Gen. Palmer elected.
Then Began the Pandemonium.
Horns and drums had been provided for
the purpose. Baskets and papers were
thrown into the air, ard the galleries
responded by waving sea of handker-
I chiefs. The house became a regular
bear garden, and the Democrats, utterly
unable to contain themselves gave vent
to their feelings in the most ludicrous
fashion.
Gen: Palmer is Is years old, but has all
the vigor of a strong man of 80. He has
been closely identified with Illinois politics
for forty years, having been leader in
both parties, and had reached all the hon
ors it had to bestow. Up to the opening
of the war, Palmer was Democrat, but
had never held Office. He went into the
war as colonel and came out a major
| ScLcIdl AlltT Uut war u0 dllllldUcu WIFI
the Republican party, and in 1868 he was
elected governor. When the great Chicago
fire occurred Gen. Sheridan, who was then
stationed in that city, without consulting
the governor, took it upon himself to
guard the city. Col Grosvenor, veteran
and and well known citizen, was shot and
killed by sentry because he did net an
swer challenge promptly. Then Govern
or Palmer informed Gen Sheridan that
when the state needed the assistance of the
United States government it would ask for
it through its proper representatives. He
also telegraphed President Grant that if
the federal troops were not at once with
drawn from Chicago he would call out the
state militia and drive them out The gov
ernor being clearly in the right,
the president instructed Gen. Sher-
idan to take away his soldiers,
In 1872 Cen Palmerss term as governor
ended and about that time he ceased all
connection with the Republican party,
and soon after openly rejoined the De-
mocracy. Since then, while always active
in the councils of that organization, he
ticing law in Springfield until 1888, when
the Democrats nominated him for goYer-
nor. During that campaign he made
speeches In every county in the state. He
was beaten by Governor Fifer, but by only
IL, 600 votes, while President Harrison had
| d uloJOIlOy VI ONoT SO,UUU. LdSO year u6
was nominated at the Democratic state
convention for the United States senate to
succeed Senator Farwell, the idea being
that such nomination came as close to
electing senator by popular vote as can
be gotten at under existing laws. The gen.
eral again took the stump as candidate
OF his party, and canvassed the state, as he
did three years ago, when running for
governor. In conference with the repre-
sentatives of the Farmers Mutual Benefit
association he said, although his health
was admirable he had nearly reached the
limit of political activity and would re-
gard his election to the United States
as crowning honor.
Democrats Delighted.
CHICAGO, March 12.-Dispatches re-
ceived from all over this state show that
the Democrats are wild with delight
over Gen. Palmer's election to the United
States senate. Bonfres are blazing and
cannon booming in nearly all the cities
and towns of Illinois.
Buchanan Celebrated.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 10. Gov
ernor Buchanan, on learning of the cleo
ton of Gen. Palmer to the United States
l. III ~ L. L.