The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1898-03-31
BY AIKEN E. SCHMAHL.
GAZETTE BUILDING DIRECTORY.
Mankato politicians had enough
crow without banquet.
THE MANKATO FARCE.

The result of the alleged Republic
an conference at Mankato last Tues
day is about what might have been
expected. Curiosity to see what few
interested politicians might attempt to
do in the name of the Republican
party of this congressional district,
attracted a considerable number of
politicians and newspaper men from
all over the State. These included |
some of the really respectable Repub-
licans of the district who bent their
energies to the task of shaping the
gathering so that it would do no harm,
which was the best outcome that
could be expected from such an ire
sponsible gathering, the sole purpose
of which was to head off the rising
VanSant movement in this part of the
State.
In accordance with pre-arranged
plans, the conference organized with
Lawyer Funk of Mankato as chairman
and Editor Hays of Sleepy Eye secre-
tary. Trouble began when Prof. Carl
son of St. Peter, arose aud asked the
chairman by what authority the meet
ing was called. The chairman replied
somewhat: CURLY that he was not
question box, but referred him to the
secretary, Hays, who plainly had no
idea of giving away the promoters of
the scheme. He excused his action by
saying that he had taken it after cor
} respondence with three prominent Re-
publicans in each county of the dis
trict. This provoked motion from a
jackson county delegate, that Hays
show this alleged list, which motion
was promptly seconded. To save Hays
from dilemma, the chair ruled the
motion out of order. The program
was then resumed by a motion to ap-
point committee on resolutions. The
country visitors tried to have this mo-
ton tabled, but the Mankato rabble
was too numerous for them, and the
chair attempted to appoint Lawyer
Somerville anG two others. Brer Fox
was not to be caught that way Our
Brown county attorney promptly de-
clined, with excuses that he was mere
ly stopping over on his way to Mime
apolis. Professor Hess of Sleepy Eye
and L. P. Hunt were substituted on
the committee.
After the noon recess, the resolu-
tons we're introduced with a covert in
suit to both Gov. Clough and Van
SAINT, declaring that "we deny the
right of any public officer, in retiring
from high position, to personally pro
vide for succession" Demagogue
Jim Baker, who has been all things to
all political parties, bobbed up as the
only speaker in favor of these cut and
dried resolutions. Prof. Carlson, sup
ported by Editor Everett of Fairmont,
moved to table the resolutions, and
urged the meeting in spirit of fair
play to take a..vote by counties, so as
to be on even terms with Blue Earth
county. The appeal was not in vain
and very few openly opposed the
. proposition, but the tellers went to
the back of the hall and one of them
. claimed to find: hands enough to de-
} feat the proposition to vote by coun.
! ties. Whereupon the country visitors
} protested and Withdrew in a body
from the hall, and the alleged confer.
ence utterly collapsed. The proposed
}, banquet at the Saulpaugh was subse-
quently declared off, as there was nc
one SO abject as to wish to play out