The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-07-15
THE GOVERNORSHIP.


giving away to more clear conception
To those who have watched the trend
of political tendencies in this particu-
lar it has been clearly evident for
some weeks that the demand on the
part of the people of the state for
Hon. Knute Nelson could only end in
one result, and that his nomination
by an overwhelming majority.
Up to Saturday night thirteen coun-
ties had held conventions and select
ed delegates to the State convention.
Twelve of the thirteen counties, with
an aggregate of 10S delegates, have in
structed for Nelson, while the thir-
teenth one, Nicollet, is for Lieut.. Gov.
Ives. 1t is self-apparent that the
current of preference is so absolutely
strong for the Alexandria statesman
that no amount of figuring known to
the arts of politics can stop it's flow
Outside and beyond the question of
nomination there is something which
demands the earnest consideration of
Republicans. The FREE PRESS has
the most kindly consideration for
Lieut.. Gov. Ives. He is straightfor-
ward and deserving. He is the kind of
Republican that any man could feel
it an honor to support. And he is
also the kind of Republican who, if
he fails las it seems more than proba-
BILE he willy to secure the nomination
will he found fighting for the man Sc
lected to lead the ticket. Despite
these facts there is very great lack
of enthusiasm In his canvass.
Ex-Governor McGill is clean, up
right gentleman. He performed the
duties of Insurance Commissioner for
seventeen consecutive years and has
been honored with term as Govern
or. The only claim his friends put
forth at this time in support Of his
candidacy is ''that he should be given
another term as Governor as a vindi-
cation" 1t would seem that the Re-
publican party has already ''vindi-
Gated" the governor by keeping him
in office nineteen years and then al
lowing him to retire with the highest
respect of his fellows.
The nomination of Knute Nelson
for governor means to the Republicans
something more than the party vote,
and if the party is to win in the COM
ing struggle it is absolutely necessary
to have leader who can win back to
the ranks the old time enthusiasm.
One of the weapons used by the oppo-
sition against his candidacy is that
Nelson's election would mean
Senator Davis defeat This
is nonsense to talk and
unrepublican to repeat. Such hostil-
ity to Nelson comes from men who
are more interested in his defeat than
they are in the success of the Senator.
Many of Davis warmest friends are
the most enthusiastic supporters of
Nelson, and they see no clashing of
interests, as there is none. 1t is sin
cerely believed by many of the best
posted Republicans in the state that
Nelson's candidacy, more than that
of any other man yet named, would
aid in securing to the Republicans
the legislature. With the legislature
Republican Senator Davis would be
selected as hisown succession without
the shadow of a doubt. The action
Of the recent state convention in pass
ing resolutions endorsing him will
doubtless be supplemented at the ap,
preaching convention with express
sions equally emphatic. With Nelson
as the nominee it is believed with
equal firmness that the Republicans
will elect at least six of the seven con.
gressmen, and bring strength to the
ticket from top to bottom.
There is little time for sentiment to
supplant good business Judgment in
the Republican party this year.
The fight by the opposition is going
to be waged with a vigor and deter
mination heretofore unequaled in po-
litical contests in Minnesota. 1t
therefore behooves the Republicans to
put forth it's strongest men. In point
OF ability Mr.. Nelson is not superior
to Mr.. Ives. But he is his equal.
In point of ability and desirability
no man can challenge the statement
that Senator Davis stands at the head.
1t should be the aim, therefore, of
every Republican to strengthen his
hand in every way possible.
The FREE PRESS can and
will support Mr.. Ives or any other
Republican who may be nominated