The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-12-29
FOR THE OFFICES.

The resignation of Marshall DOna
hover came with cyclonic force upon
the Democratic aspirants for his
shoes, and the past week has been
busy one among the applicants. J. j.
Thornton, the tall sycamore Of the
Watonwan, has his application on file
in Washington, backed Oy the largest
petition ever sent from this state by
anyone seeking place through the
graciousness of any admins ration.
Mr.. Thornton started in early on the
theory that "the early bird catches
the worm, and he caught 'em. Strong
as Mr.. Thornton is he is still weak
exceptionally so. While President
Cleveland's administration adheres
tacitly to the doctrine of right of Pc
titiOn, il sticks tenaciOusly and more
exclusively to the principle of dealing
out the loaves and fishes to those able
to reach the endorsement of the bosses.
In no state does this latter condition
hold more inflexible than in MinnesO-
ia. Without the O. K. of the ire
presslble Michael Doran, supplemented
by the acquiescence of the Hon. Pat
rick Fl. Kelly, the applicant is not in
1t. And this is about the condition
in which Mr.. Thornton finds himself.
AS the boys would say,J j. is"ferninst"
the gang, and of course cannot expect
any support from that source.
Southern Minnesota has another
applicant for tie position of U. S.
Marshall in the person of Senator Jay
LaDue, of Luverne. The Senator is
more fortunate in certain directions
than is Mr.. Thornton. While his pc
titiOn is not so great, he has what is
better in this case, the friendly feel
ing of Messrs. Doran and Kelly, al
though lacking in the one essential
needful, their absolute endorsement.
The Senator is conscientious gentle
man, with none of that too common
element in his compOsition-a pug
nacious disposition. He is even tenn
pered, with pleasant address and
affable manners, and carries in stock
supply of democracy that would turn
to shame some of President Cleve-
lands mugwump cabinet ministers.
The only time he ever strayed from
the straight and narrow path trod by
the unwashed was when he lent tenn
porary allegiance to theAlliance party.
But he soon tired of his company and
quietly betook himself, body and soul,
back to the old love whose fame had
been allowed to shoulder for brief
time under the brush heap of populls-
tic Inconsistencies.
The man whom it is believed Mr..
DOran has ''sot" his eyes on for this
place, however, is W. M. Campbell,
who held the same position under
Cleveland's former administration.
/ There are conditions which MAKE this
possible outcome somewhat uncertain,
and this fact gives hope to other
aspirants, The Twin cities have can
didates for U. S. Marshall, U. S. Dis
trict Attorney and Collector OF Inter
nal Revenue-three of the most I'M
portant offices within the gift OF the
Administrations excuse us, please
within the gift of Mr.. Doran. Ii he
shall conclude to take the two last
named offices from the city, the mar
shallship will necessarily come IRON
the country, and in that event the
choice will lie between Senator La Due
Can't. Harries and Col. Thornton.
While the various candidates are II
state of perspiration, even thougl
exposed to the northwest winds OF
northwest winter, Mr.. Doran is cool
collected and seemingly Indifferent al
becomes one who holds the key to the
situation and tacitly declines to un
lock the box. 1t is not improbable
that all three of the offices mentioned
will have successors named at tne
same time and at very early period
but lust who will be selected for whlcf
remains a secret within the breast Of
he who shapes the destiny OF Mime
sota's Democratic aspirants for officla
recognition, and tears asunder tht
, fondest official hopes of those for whom
he has no affinity, with as much ease
and unconcern as does babe snatcf
the hair from the head of her hrs
Christmas doll.
THE Globe refers to the reply OF Il
j, Minister Stevens to the PreSident'
Hawaiian message as the 'tWaddl'