The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-01-06
AN UNFORTUNATE INTRODUCTION

The contest over the organization of
the lower branch of the state legis-
lature, which has been waged with
warmth rarely equaled in Minnesota
politics, terminated yesterday by the
election of the Republican caucus
nominees made Monday night.
| For some days the Hobbies of the
hotels had been filled with members
and their friends,working in the inter
ests of the respective candidates for
speaker. From the outset WE. Lee,
of Todd county, had what the boys
term ''cinch" on the situation. He
had by odds the strongest organization
and the most unwavering supporters.
His strength was held together
through the knowledge of those in his
wagon that their driver knew his road
well and was carefully steering his
steeds along the broad boulevard to
success. Mr., TurrellS friends in the
Second district stood by him right
Loyalty and went down with him at
the finish when his wagon was dump
ed over the precipice prepared by the
Lee forces
Allen j. Greer, of whom there is no
pleasanter, more affable or big heart
ed representative IN the house, had a
runaway Monday and for time it
was generally felt that the caucus
caravan had been smashed to smith
Greens. He gave it out cold that he was
driving his steeds to finish, and that
matters had gone too far for him to
turn back for repairs. In other words
Allen j. was "ferninst" the caucus,
and his friends or as many as he could
influence. would not participate in
that traditional custom of determin-
ing the desires of the majority of his
party. But the caucus was held new
ertheless, and upon the roll call it
was found that 81 out of a total of II
Republicans-elect responded Nine
Republicans remained out, but as it
took IA to break the caucus. business
was not impeded.
A strenuous effort was made to get
a sufficient number of Republicans to
unite and riddle the caucus nominees,
but this failed also. While we hardly
believe this effort was intended to in
fiuence break from Senator Davis
no other construction was placed up
on it by those of the Senator's friends
who have been his strongest adher-
ents, and had it succeeded none can
tell what disaster might have follow
ed.
Blue Earth county has but one
Republican representative, and he
was elected unuer the most binding
resolutions to support Senator Davis.
This we have every confidence he
will do, albeit his position on that
matter was somewhat questioned dur
ing the campaign. He gave positive
assurance to the questioner that he
was Davis man." and this assur-
ance gave him the election. To bolt
the action of the caucus, therefore,
after having been participant there
in, was an indiscretion, to say, the
least, not to be expected, much less
satisfactorily explained, What Re-
publican should have this or that Of
flee in the organization was of little
consequence when weighed against
the possibility of thWarting the plain
ly expressed wishes of the people of
the state in their demand for Senator
Davis return. In going off and break
ing away from the caucus declaration
Mr.. Gutterson took an unwarrantable
position. We do not charge him with
any intention of doing Senator Davis
an injustice or of wishing to reduce
his chances Of success, but his action,
with three other Republicans, is look
ed upon in precisely that light.
Mr.. Gutterson started in on his
legislative course unfortunately. but
we sincerely hope and truly believe
that his future course will be such as
to vindicate him in the eyes Of his
constituency from any wrong inten-
tions.