The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-07-03
The Convention Declares for
Honest Money, Protection
and Reciprocity.
Speeches by Congressman Nc
Cleary and Gen. Baker
Arouse Enthusiasm.

The Second district Republican
convention. held In this city Tuesday,
resulted in the unanimous renomina-
tion of Congressman McCleary. Geo.
w. Somerville, his opponent, did the
right thing in the right place, and
thereby made more friends in five
minutes than during the weeks of his
canvass. Mr.. Somerville was received
most cordially, and words in his praise
were frequently heard.
During last night and this morning
the delegates were gathered thickly
at the Saulpaugh, and McCleary
badges fiuttered everywhere. 1t was
estimated that Somerville might re-
ceive twenty votes, although he
claimed more, and said that the re-
ports of how the county conventions
had gone were often erroneous.
At promptly ten o'clock, Chairman
Benedict, of the Republican congress
siOnal committee, called the cOnVen-
tion to order in L. P. Hunts hall.
The delegates were nearly all on hand
filling the hall to it's capacity, and a
fringe of spectators occupied the
standing room in the rear. 1t was an
intelligent set of men who occupied
the 200 delegates seats, and well rep
resented the business and agricultural
industries of the district. Nearly
all wore McCleary badges.
Mr.. Benedict opened the proceed
ings by reading the official call for the
convention.
NJ. E. L. Shanks, of Martin county,
was elected temporary chairman, and
rendered his thanks in short
speech. He said thatwe must be pre-
pared to meet the united opposition
of the enemies of Republican princi-
pies, and in the fight the Martin
county Republicans would not be
backward. He spoke of the failures
made by the Democracy, which is flee
ing from it's own record. The splen-
did measures of the Republican party
have been swept away by the Demo
cratic party. 1t is our duty to show
to that party that we can rebuild
what they have ruthlesslY destroyed.
He ContraSted the Democratic
and Republican administrations to
the disadvantage of the former. The
Republicans have record of which
they may well be proud. The Demo-
cratic party now wants to drive out
one-half of the money of the country
and substitute debased currency.
John @. Miller, of Redwood county,
was elected temporary secretary.
A motion for committee of five on
credentials prevailed, and the chair
!. appointed L. G. Shellbach, of Yellow
Medicine county, w. D. Hill, of Jack
son, III. Martinson, of Pipestone, John
Kelley, of Rock, and j. II Manchester,
of Lincoln.
A delegate stated that as the FREE
PRESS had kindly presented the dele
gates with lists of the delegates, this
1lSU NC duOpLCu w save UluCs LIS
suggestion was adopted.
The temporary organization was
made permanent.
The chair was authorized to ap-
point committee of five on resolu-
tions, which he did as follows: G. f.
Case, of Lyon county, Robt. Moore,
Faribault, j. B. Sackett, Nicollet, X.
H. Helling, Watonwan, Chas Halver-
son, La Qui Parle.
Mayor Weaver, G. L. Benedict and
Daniel Shell were called on for re-
marks, but each declined
The Blue Earth county delegation
caucused during the recess, and elect
ed II. H. Edwards chairman. Ben
Williams was elected on the delega-
tiOn.
Gen. Baker was found in the Com.
mercial club rooms and was brought
up and called on for a speech. He
said that his heart was fully with the
delegates in this campaign. The Sec
ond district is one of the finest por-
lions of this state, peopled with mag
nificent citizens, who largely believe
in Republican doctrine. The Repub-
licans have always dominated in this
state and have created out of this