The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-03-11
SECOND DISTRICT CON-
FERENCE.

fTOOdUly bHe HOSG Important poll
tical gathering that has ever occurred
in the Second congressional district
will be held in Mankato, Tuesday,
March 22nd. Ii the Free Press is
correctly informed as to the true in
tent and purpose of this conference it
is that the Republican voters of the
district may have an opportunity to
get together for mutual exchange of
ideas on matters Of state politics, and
if possible agree upon some plan for
concerted action in the approaching
state campaign. 1t is well known
that there is no district in the state
that has welded less influence in the
selection of state officers during the
past decade, with more claim for the
exercise of much and potent in
fuence, than has the Second. For
this state of affairs the Republicans
of the district themselves are largely,
if not wholly, at fault. They have
heretofore gone up to St. Paul divided
gone united and strong. When ask
ing for anything, they have too often
asked for nearly everything in sight,
and as sequence have come home on
the swearing train empty handed and
chagrinned. The politicians of other
sections, finding the Second district
inharmOnious, have naturally taken
advantage of their chickering's and
walked off with the nominations,
feeling full confidence that when the
votes were counted the old reliable
Second would show her usual majority
for the ticket. The loyalty of the
Republicans of this district has never
been found wanting. While too often
divided in nominating conventions
they have never failed to line up on
election day and on several occasions
have saved the party from inglorious
defeat.
1t is now believed by those who
have been instrumental in calling
the meeting for the 22nd that the
enthusiasm and loyalty which has
been so conspicuous on election days
will find expression at this gathering,
and that a concert of action will
result that shall place the district at
no disadvantage in the coming state
convention. In fact an organization
of the Republican forces of this dis
trict can be effected, if entered into
in the proper spirit and with entire
unseltishness on the part of all, that
will make an impression upon the
deliberations and determinations of
the next state convention never here
tofore exercised. The combined
wisdom and good judgment of the
gentlemen who will participate in
the conference will no doubt give
Judicious and far.reaching expression
to the overwhelming necessity for
less bossism in the party and more
freedom of action on the part of the
masses to have something to say as
to who shall be placed in nomination.
Strong as the party is and has been,
it cannot hope to continue in power
unless the yoke of subserviency to a
select few of selfish, self-appointed
party dictators is thrown off and
more freedom of choice allowed to the
rank and file.
1t is hoped that every Republican
in the district who can spare day
from home and business will come to
Mankato and lend his presence and
good counsel to the deliberations of
this meeting. No individuals in
terest will be advanced. No mans
axe will be ground. What is desired
is clean-cut understanding among
the Republicans of the district, and
there need then be no apprehension
of the results to follow.