The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-11-15
AIDING CLOU0H.


While it is true that there is cold
winters and wet spring between this
and the next, Republican state con-
yention, which conditions may cause
the quiet death of several Republican
aspirations for gubernatorial honors,
there is no denying the fact that the
multiplicity of active, passive and eX-
pectant candidates are daily wedding
the thorns from Governor Clough's
pathway to nomination, causing
him to look on with a Self-Satisfylng
smile as some new willin' Barkis is
brought from hiding. If, as has been
claimed, and as is no doubt true. the
Republicans of the state want an
other than Mr.. Clough for Governor,
there must be mighty trimming out
of underbruSh in the political held,
and unity of action centereo around
some man of the people who has the
confidence of the masses and whose
personnel will draw active support
from that element OF the party which
mas hitherto been content TO let the
politicians fix she primaries and then
cypress their diSpleasure at results In
harmless kicks, and generous but in
effective ScOlding. In other words
the quiet voting Republicans must
take hold of matter, see to 1t that
none but men of honest purposes are
put on the delegations in their re-
SpecUive counties, and relegate to the
rear those seekers after favOrS whose
opinions of the tittest men for high
places are guaged entirely by pledges
Of office for themselves or friends. In
This way. and this way only, can the
will OF the people find satisfactory eX-
preston.
The opposition TO Governor ClOugh
does not want TO gain the impression
thai he is mere plaything in pol
Mics, and like weak toy can be dis
abled at will. He is as keen aS two
edged sword in political scheming,
and all he has to do is to push the
button and the state machinery will
DO the rest. At his right hand sits
his private secretary and chairman OF
lhe Republican State Central COM
nittee-twO important political func-
lions combined IN one. Every move
ment on the political diamond: cum
Eingiy made perhaps, is Immediately
known by the tielderS and forthwith
bhrUwn 10 the short stop at the en-
trance 10 the governors private Of
nee. The score of all the plays isac-
Glrately recorded here pass balls,
cali balls. flies. base hits and all, and
if the Old fielder cannot trip up the
opposition an expert umpire is sent
tfOm the capitol to investigate and
call" the game-Whether on the
pretense of foul or some other salts
factory excuse to himself. This eX-
pert goes out with instructions to bag
his game, and the would-be governors
now sWarming the state thick as
DldEkUlEuS III Al CUIu uSluJ dit udUuI d.
ly. though perhaps unconsciously,
aiding the governor to an extent that
cannot fail him good if present con-
aitiOnS continue. -,
Governor Clough has other ele-
ments of strength than the state ma
ehinery. He has Ex-Governor Mer-
RAM to aid him, of whom there is not
a shrewder, keener, far-seeing and
{aJ-reaching manipulation in the state.
Williams eye is 'SOt" on the United
States Senate. and. let those who
would will otherwise watch the watt
ing Of the blue smoke as it arises
from the end Of his political cigaroot
in volumes SO dense as to fill the air
With Gan aroma bewitchingly beguil-
Ingiy, and cOaXingly seductive.
David and William are a pair hard
TO beat, and unless watched with an
eye Of hawk will spring cold deck
On the unSuspecting opposition and |
pull in the stakes
Next year promises to make lots of |
fun for the boys and some hard work |
for the old men