The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-03-13
WILLARD AND PROGRESS.
The Mass Meeting Enthusiastically
dominates Hon. John A. Willard
for Mayor.
Mr.. Willard Accepts-SOme Stirring
Speeches. Committee of Eigh-
teen to Nominate Aldermen.

was great success. The large opera
house was filled with an audience
composed of our best, most intelli-
gent and influential citizens, repre-
J Senting all parties and all portions of
the city. The banker and the labor
ing man sat side by side, the Republi-
can and the Democrat Joined hands,
and for once partisan politics were
thrown aside and common sense ruled.
The meeting was enthusiastically in
favor of Hon. John A. Wizards hold
ing the mayors gavel for the succeed
ing two years. Each step made in the
progress toward his nomination was
accompanied by every display of salts
faction on the part of the meeting.
While large majority doubtless fay-
ored the immediate nomination of an
entire ticket, yet they refrained from
so doing, out of respect for those who
were not so inclined, and in order to
preserve that harmony SO necessary
for the success of the movement.
At promptly eight o'clock the meet
ing was called to order by Judge Sew
erance.
Gen. E. NJ. Pope was chosen chair
man of the meeting, and G. L. Bene-
dict secretary.
Gen. Pope stated the object of the
meeting, which he heartily approved.
1t was an expression of a deep seated
conviction on the part of the people
that radical change in the manner
of selecting the administrative body
of the city government is needed. He
censured the system under which par
ty feeling has been allowed to run riot
in the city elections. We have out
grown a village in size and import
ance, and the time has come to have a
business administration. Applause
1t was to consider this that the peo-
pie had come together, in the belief
that both the political parties would
respect the action of the meeting.
The question is what shall we do in
regard to mayor, though possibly the
meeting might take some action in
regard to aldermen, by appointing
committees to wait on the two parties.
If any further action was medidated
he was not aware of it. Whether such
would be the part of wisdom it would
be for the meeting to decide.
The band having come in, here rem
dered pleasing selection.
L. P. Hunt further explained the
object of the meeting. 1t is an indis-
putable fact that the party candidates
are to a considerable extent pledged
to fill the offices with partisan friends,
thus unfavorably affecting the con-
duct of city affairs. He was willing
to throw aside partisanship, and with
the others present he hoped to unite
on some action which would correct
these abuses. A man is needed whose
business ability and integrity are such
as will unite all in his behalf. 1t af-
forded him pleasure to present the
name of Jno. A. Willard as that of the
man now needed at the helm.
Judge Severance seconded the nom
ination. He favored the move because
he believed in such an idea as the
meeting had come together to endorse.
The people did not come together in
any spirit of chatting at the bits or
with desire to further anyone's am
bition. The object of the meeting is
to take the mayoralty out of the rage
and anger of politics, and to free the
city from the abortions of partisan
rule. Municipal government should
be entirely out of the realm of poll
tics, as it involves no party policy or
principle, but only that which applies
to family. To avoid the senseless
miscarriages and chickering's almost
sure to follow the strife of PARTISAN
ship should be our aim and desire.
There can be no harmony or unity of
forces where politics are mixed with
city affairs, and no progress can be
made. He urged the meeting to throw
aside all partisan feelings, never to
mention the words Republican, +"
Democrat" or Alliance" but to
raise the banner of Mankato, and to
unite on one man and secure the best
interests of the city. We have won
derful resources, only ready to be
opened to employ an army Of people
and create great city, We see sew
eral railroads here with their ends tied
to post, waiting to be encouraged to
extend to other commercial centers.
Those familiar with Mankato know
| that there are other ideas like this to
be considered. The city has prosper
ed and advanced in a certain degree
for the last few years. but not as rap
idly as we have a right to believe
ought to be the case. In the spirit of
harmony and unity, he heartily
seconded the nomination.
| Thos. Saulpaugh was called upon
and stated that he was glad that the
| people had come together, laying aside
notifies and unitinU for the GOOD of