The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-05-08
MCKINLEY AND THE FIELD.

AS the time for rounding up oiio idS'
of the delegates for the ST. Louis con
vention approaches, the bosses, VINO
have been opposing McKinley's noml'
nation, recognizing the strength he is
developing among the people, are
bending all their energies to defeat
him if possible. They recognize that
they have big job on their hands and
this makes them all the more active.
The figures which were given out as
to the situation at the close OF last
week. are as wide apart as ever. Gen.
Groyesnor claims 495 for Mckinley,
while 275 is all that Joe Manley VIII
allow him. The Philadelphia Press,
which is keeping close tab upon the
situation. gives Mckinley 3S9, while
the New York Tribune places the
Ohio mans strength at APO. The VIDE
discrepancy in these estimates is due
to the fact that Joe Manley omlts
from his list all contested delegates,
and all that are not absolutely IN
structed for Mckinley, while Gen.
Grosyenor includes those known to be
for Mckinley, but who are not under
instructions. He also includes some
of the contested delegates, notably IN
Mississippi, where both contestants
were instructed for Mckinley. lie
also includes several delegates not yet
elected. but from districts ABOUT
which there is no question as to how
they will 60. The General figures l4O
delegates yet to be elected, and that
Mckinley will secure at 'least 100 OF
these
While Major Mckinley has great
lead. lead which the FREE PRE- be-
lieves will easily give him the noml-
nation at St. Louis, still we believe
that Gen. Grosvenor's figures are OF
little too sanguine nature, albeit they
are doubtless arranged upon the best
information Obtainable from all
sources, and represent a great deal OF
investigation as to the real feeling
and standing of the delegates elected.
In looking over the list OF states
which are yet to elect delegates,
most conservative estimate can hardly
fail to give majority of them to Ma
ior Mckinley, yet it is extremely
doubtful that the number reaches 100.
The more conservative estimate OF
the New York Tribune is to our mind,
the nearest the exact situation at the
present time. This gives Mckinley
APO votes, or about IS short of enough
to nominate. 1T does, in fact, prac-
tically place the nomination in his
hands, for with the present feeling,
there is no question but that he will
receive from 40 to fifty more delegates
from those to be elected, and will
doubtless gain few from the held
among those already elected.
Having failed to carry things their
own way in the conventions, the
bosses will now bend their energies in
the attempt to influence every dele
gate possible to turn from the man
the people want, and join the field.
If they could secure enough to pre-
vent Mr.. McKinley's nomination on
two or three ballots, their desire would
be accomplished. But that is hardly
among the range of probabilities. The
desire of the people is for Mckinley,
and delegates in sections where Nc
Kinleyism runs high, and these Sec
tions embrace the major portion
of the country, will not take the risk.
The great feature which the field is
now working, and working it most in
dustriously, is that of finance. When
they say that it must be a sound
money declaration that will admit of
no question as to its meaning, the
great majority of the party is with
them, but when they attempt to make
out that upon this point Major Nc
Kinley is not TO be trusted, the ma
jority of the rank and file of the party
part company with them at once, as
they do upon all points of party con-
duct, and the indications are that the
rank and file of the party will be very
much in evidence at ST. Louis.