The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-11-13
MINNESOTA HAS CLAIMS.

|
for positions in President-elect Nc
Kinley's cabinet has arrived, and Min
nesota occupies a place that can
hardly be ignored in the makeup. At
a critical period in the preliminary
campaign of the nominating conven-
tion which wisely chose Major Nc
| Kinley as the standard bearer of the
Republican party, Senator G. K.
Davis being convinced of the drift of
sentiment to the Ohio favorite, wired
his friends on the morning of the
state convention to withdraw
his name from consideration
and give Major Mckinley the solid
Minnesota delegation. This mag
unanimous and unselfish act on the
part of Mr.. Davis was the beginning
of the end. From that time forward
| Major McKinley's nomination was a
foregone and inevitable result, be-
cause it broke the back of the So
called favorite son business and gave
| death blow to the opposition.
And again, the Minnesota delega-
tion at st. Louis was the first of the
middle west states to place itself before
the country emphatically for the
present gold standard" No sooner
had this announcement become noised
about than Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
and the Dakotas fell into line, and the
financial plank was completely settled.
The result of the vote in this state
is conclusive evidence that Minnesota
was never doubtful in it's loyalty to
sound money and good government.
While the opposition put forth wild
theories about carrying it's electoral
vote, those in best position to know
| public sentiment never wavered in
their belief that Mckinley would
come out with good majority, but it
must be acknowledged that his vote
quite exceeded the estimate.
At the time of the state convention
and Immediately following the with
drawal of Senator Davis, his name
was frequently and favorably men
toned as secretary of state in the
event of Major McKinley's election.
| Now that the presidential contest is
closed, it is eminently proper that
Minnesota's claims to cabinet posi-
tion should be proclaimed, and if pos
sible united action should be taken
in favor of some candidate who will
be acceptable to Mr.. Mckinley and to
the people of the country.
Ex-Governor Merriam's name is also
being mentioned as suitable one for
cabinet preferment, and the place Sc
! lected by his friends is that of secre-
tary of the treasury. Mr.. Merriam
has unquestioned ability for such a
position. He ranks as one of the fore
most men of the country on finance,
! but an understanding should be ar
rived at with as little delay as pos
sible which of the two would he most
likely to succeed, if either, and a
unity Of action taken.
In speaking of Senator Davis in con-
nection with the secretary of state,
the Minneapolis Journal pays him the
following handsome and deserved
compliment:
The particular service for which
Senator Davis appears to us to be pc
culiarly qualified is that of secretary
of state. Mr. Davis has been on the
committee of foreign relations almost
all the time since he has been in the
senate. There are few men in the
country better qualified,sby reason of
their training and inclination, for the
delicate and responsible duties which
go with the portfolio of foreign af-
fairs. Mr.. Davis is fine lawyer and
man of broad culture. We are sure
that our state papers would be pre-
pared and our international negotia-
tiOns carried on with dignity and
ability at his hands. His appoint
ment would be received with gratifi-
cation by the people of the state and
would come to hin in the midst of
active service for his state and for his
party. We commend him to Mr.. Nc
Kinley's favorable consideration with
full credit upon his chief should he be
chosen as one of the presidents off,