The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-01-11
A PIECE OF TREACHERY.

The labored attempt of those
journals which are engaged in apollo
giving for Gov. Nelson for his having
entered the senatorial contest is not a
very brilliant one, and their declara-
tions that the condemnation of his
treachery is wholesale abuse are not
well taken. They declare that he
made no promises that he would not
enter the senatorial race. That de-
ponds possibly on what some men
may regard promise to be. The
people may judge differently, At
Albert Lea last September, in the
presence of Senator Washburn and a
large audience he distinctly stated
that he would not be a candidate.
The Minneapolis Tribune this morn
ing reproduces his language used at
the time, in which, after stating
that he was not a candidate for the
senate but for the governorship, and
if elected expected to serve out his
term, he declared alphabetically that
he was not, had not been and would
not be candidate for the senate.
And up to the time of his announce
ment Thursday this was not denied.
1t is certainly as strong as the English
language can be made, and it was
made in the presence of man who
was then an open candidate for the
senate, who was making a canvass for
the same, doing what he could in the
aid of Gov Nelson's gubernatorial
candidacy and the Republican party
and expecting, and having right to
expect an equally warm support in re-
turn. Further than this, it is stated
and not denied, that Senator Wash
burn received a letter from the COVER
nor pledging that he (Nelson) would
place no obstacle in the way of his
(WaShburn' reelection. How are
honorable men going to treat these
promises which were made at a
time when the maker was trembling
with the fear of being swamped by
flood of Populsm and he or his i'm
mediate lieutenants were imploring
every possible aid with which to beat
it back, only to be broken when that
danger is past, and greater honorS
loom up in the path ahead. Not
only is base deception used upon
friends who took him at his word, but
the rankest treachery to the party at
whose hands he Jared so well. This
is Knute Nelson as he now stands in
the light of the history of the past
three days. Is this is the kind of "a
man ethe people of Minnesota want
to look after their interests at Wash
ington for the next six years? We
trOw not. The FREE PRESS has a
higher idea of the people of Mime
sofa than that, And the reports
which come to US from ST. Paul this
afternoon are to the effect that as
the sober second thought of the peo-
pies representatives there is becom-
ing settled, the situation for Wash
burn is improving and his chances of
election are frightening. The an
nOuncement of Gov. Nelson was a
premature explosion. 1t had not
been intended by the conspirators to
announce it until just as the election
was to occur, in hopes that in the
midst of the surprise which would fol-
low they might carry off the prize
But he was smoked out and the little
game won't work.
1t was hoped that the announce
ment would shatter Washburn s sup
port in Minneapolis, but it has had the
effect of making it more solid than
ever. Only one man of any prominence
in that city has come out for Nelson,
and that is Lieut.. Gov. Clough,
who would profit by his election.
And right here is a most important
feature which should be taken into
consideration. Mr. Clough's sole in
terest in securing the election of Gov.
Nelson to the senate, is that he may
satisfy his own ambition to be gov
ernor position for which he has not
the first qualification TO recommend
him, and to which he could not sue
coed by the votes of the people. The
moral idea of good government is
lacking in his mnke-up, and his ideas
of politics are on par with those of the
pc house politician and ward heller.
TO deliberately make a move which
would elevate him to the position Of
chief magistrate would be a blow to
the welfare of the Republican party
and disgrace to the good name of
the state.