The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1896-02-06
STRONG MEN.

STRONG MEN.
Minnesota's Congressman have per-
sonal pecaliarities that differentiate them
from the great mediocre mass OF their
colleagues, under the title; Freaks in
Congress, a correspondent OF an eastern
paper gives very interesting account
of the distinguishing features of a dozen
or more members. and from the list the
HERALD selects only the references to
those from Minnesota. He says:
One of the most picturesque of the
new Inembers'is Frank M. Eddy of Min
nesota. He is this first man to come to
congress from Minnesota who was born
in that state. As boy he was so poor
that he worked in brick yard to get
money to pay for his schooling. He is a
remarkably homely man, unpretending
in his manner and full OF quaint humor.
His stories of adventures during ms re-
cent campaign IN the pineries are side
splitting. FIX. Senator Washburn went
along to help out; but this ally did more
harm than good. His boiled shirt and
high hat gave offence, and he did not
care to shake hands freely with the wild
looking lumbermen. Eddy understood
things better; he wore flannel shirt,
tucked his pantaloons into his boots and
talked to the men in the lumber camps
in their native Norwegian. Onreaching
a town his method was to buy the bar,
hire brass band, and get up meeting.
In this way he cut down established De-
mocratic majorities to almost nothing,
or converted them into Republican maj
critics. In one town there were no Re-
puulicans at all; but, not at all discour-
aged, he visited all the saloons, set up
unlimited drinks, and announced meet
ing at the town hall. Then he hired a
band, which was reluctant to be engaged
because of Democratic principles, and
soon he was followed to the hall by
nearly ever man. noman and child OF
the resident population. In that town
Democratic majority of 800 was re-
duced to ten.
The above lacks accuracy in some of
its essential details, doing injustice alike
to Mr.. Eddy aud Mr.. Washburl. Tie
former was not in the habit of buying
out bar rooms, aud turning tree whiskey
into the channels of his candidacy, nor did
Mr.. Washburn decline to shake hands
with trontiersmen while out among Mr..
Eddy's constituents for the one very ex-
celent reason, that he was not out with
Mr.. Eddy during the campaign. Again:
Among Che new men in the house the
most promising orator is Charles A.
Towne of Duluth. He has been charged
I, hat,,c ,l.f ,cf He
popular man, and he defeated his oppo-
nent, Melvin X. Bald win, by 1O, 1000 ma
joritv, though he had been a resident OF
Duluth Tor only three years. Another
new member from Minnesota. Joel P.
Heatwole, is the handsomest man IN the
house. He is a printer by trade and
owns newspaper. He is very jolly,
popular, and conspicuously well dressed.
His broad chest displays wide expanse
of shirt BOSOM, and his necklies exhibit
great variety OF colors.
AS to Mr.. Heatwole, the correspond
ent is pretty nearly accurate although
the HERALD has no knowledge as te
Joel's present stock of reckwear. He
might we'll have added that this Apollo
Of ours has marked ability and we'll
balanced discretion.
The parenthetic remark that Mr.
Towne has been charged with being
does him rank injustice
He may have been so charged, but all
who know Mr.. Towne, and have beard
him speak, will resent the charge most
enpha ticaly. 1t is an imputation be-
gotten in envy, conceived i'll malice and
brought forth in mendacity. So far
from being plagiarist, Mr.. Iowne does
not even pla gionize Mr.. Towne. 1t was
the writer's privilege to hear him speak
in the political issues of the Iasr cam
paign, full halt dozen times, and on
other occasions as many times more,
and every where was freshness and
charm to his method which was very
remarkable, in that he was speaking on
the same subject frequently, and to diff
ferenl audiences. To repeat ones sell
under such circumstances is not only
very natural but almost inevitable.
Whatever may he said of Mr.. Towne
the charge Of plaeiary will not lie at his
door His wonderful command of clear
cut aud polished English relieves him OF
all necessity OF parrotIng any one, even
were he so dishonest as the charge inn
plies, neither IN correlation OF ideas or
iii methods OF expression does he copy
any one.
DECLINES
Gen. Harrison has peremptorily de
cllned to be possible presidential can