The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-04-07
THE RESULT.

one OF the largest votes ever cast in
the city. and using that as basis
with the usual multiple the popula-
tion of the city is shown to be fully
10000.
Mr.. Weaver'S friends have been
predicting his success from the time
he entered the race as "nOn-parti-
san" candidate, while the friends of
the regularly nominated candidates
believed that the independent move
ment had more wind than substance.
This would not have been mistaken
view had Mr.. Patterson proved to be
strong candidate. The latter's con-
nectiOn with the Mankato Gas and
Electric Light Co. was undoubtedly
the cause of large detection from
him in the first three wards. The
Democratic organ supported Mr..
Weaver and the most of those who
declined to vote for Mr.. Patterson
voted for Mr.. Weaver, who undoubt-
edly received five Democratic votes to
party. Personal popularity with
certain element secured their solid
support, which cut more into the
Democrats than the Republicans.
DR.. Andrews received a larger vote
than any of his friends estimated,
which shows that he received very
nearly three-fCurthsH of the entire Re-
publican vote in the city, besides con-
siderable Democratic support in the
trst three wards. He made a magnl-
ficent canvass and received the cor
dial support of the best citizens of
Mankato. 1t was his misfortune and
not his fault that he was obliged to
combat the greater part of the Demo-
cratic party, and a formidable defec-
tion in his own. That he came so
near success is victory only a little
less complete than election would
have been, and far greater than de-
feating single opponent. His cam
vaSS was honorable and upright and
his friends have nothing to regret, and
he deserves to be congratulated upon
the extraordinary strength which he
developed in the face of the fight
made against him.
Mr.. Weaver received but 80 per
cent. of the vote cast, and therefore
has no particular reason to rejoice.
This paper was opposed to his cleo
tiOn for the reason that it believed
that both of mis- opponents are better
qualified TO serve the city in the cap
acity OF mayor, and more entitled TO
the honor owing to their investments
in the city and their efforts in up
building 1T. Mr.. Weaver has made
certain pledges which it will be inter
ested in observing him carry out. A
campaign argument used by certain
section of his supporters was that if
elected he would allow the city to run
upon the wide'open'' policy. We are
Inclined to the opinion that this will
not be carried out, and that the
saloons will be more sGrictly regulat-
ed than for some years past. The
ground for this belief is that public
attention will be called to the acts
of tine administration and it will take
steps to preserve itself from public
criticism. Upon this point, one sec
tion of Mr.. Weaver's supporters is
apt to be bitterly disappointed. Pub
lie sentiment in Mankato does not
and will not uphold "wide open"
policy, as is shown by the small per-
centage of Mr. Viewers vote, and
the further fact that not all of his
supporters favor that policy.
The defeat of P. A. Gunders is sim
cerely regretted by his friends. He
worked Loyalty for the straight tick
ct and made an excellent canvass. We
trust that the future holds something
in store for him. Mr.. Brown has
made very efficient recorder and
will no doubt continue to give salts
faction.
w. HI. Shepard will make an excel
lent treasurer. He received the votes
of the old settlers and that decided
the contest, for Mr.. Slade is very pop
ular and well liked and made strong
fight.
The success of Ira p. Shissler was
as unexpected as it was pleasing to
his friends. He possesses. fine legal
mind, and we hope and trust that his
course during the next two years will |
merit him a reelection by still larg-
er majority. The fact that Judge |
Porter has held the office for some
years was the only point made against
him. AS an official he has given faith
full and impartial service to the city,
and he will step down from the office
with the best wishes of all for his
future success.
For the first time in the history Of
the city every alderman on the Re-
publican ticket was elected. One of