The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-01-06
Especial Correspondence.

foSpOnQenCo several UlmoS nave
taken occasion to urge upon the
people of Minnesota the benefits to be
derived from an exposition or celebra-
ton of the semi-centennial of the organ
ization of the state as a territory In
the past have pointed out how grand
an affair this could be at the capital of
the state, with the Hon. Alexander
Ramsey, who was the first governor of
the territory in 1S49, subsequently COVER
nor of the state, and only surviving war
governor, United States senator and Sec
reta1y of war, as chief figure of that oc-
casion. Now I come with another prop
osition which seems very feasible.
This exposition could be made with a
view to showing what can be produced
in the new possessions of the United
States. Exhibits could come from the
different islands of the Philippines,
from Hawaii, from Cuba and Porto
Rico. What an attractive display, and
how many thousands of people would
come from all over the United States to
see such an exhibit. have heard that
Omaha is trying to get up such an ex-
position as this for next year, intending
to use the buildings and grounds which
were used for the Transmissouri exposi-
ton during the past summer. No doubt
President Mckinley and his entire adj
ministration could be got to favor an
exposition in st. Paul whose star feat
ure would be a display from the new
possessions. Congress would no doubt
l. b. lob 49,,
the matter, and good sized appropria-
ton for the government exhibit, which
would be the exhibit from the new col
onies, could be obtained. The first move
should be made by Minnesota and the
legislature should lose no time in action
as soon as it convenes. The time to do
any work in congess is very short, but
few working days can be devoted to
this matter if the Minnesota legislature
does not delay its action.
Negotiations Will Fail.
1t is now certain that the negotiations
between the British government, repre-
sented by Lord Herschell of England,
Sir Wilfred Laurier and other Can
adams on the one side and Senators
Fairbanks and Faulkner, Representa-
tive Dingley and others on the Ameri-
can side, will be futile. When the Can
adams had all the various questions of
difference between the United States
and Canada punched in one negotiation
it was almost certain that they would
fail or that the United States would
get the worst of it. The only way pos
sible to settle the various differences is
upon the merits of each, and not to do
an injustice to one part of the country
by favoring another part. 1t appears
from all that can be learned that the
real hitch has been over the reciprocity
features of the negotiations. The strong
stand made by the lumber interests has
effectively blocked any proposed recipro-
city, as the Canadians could not accept
any notifications of tariff that did not
allow free entry of Canadian logs.
Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon
and Washington were decidedly opposed
to any change in the existing lumber
tariff, as well as some of the Southern
states where lumber has become a great
industry. 1t is also said that the de-
mand Of Representative Dingley for the
fishing interests of New England was
not accepted by the Canadians. No Of
fetal statement has been made, but it
was apparent from the manner of the
Canadians at recent functions in which
they took part that the negotiations
were very unsatisfactory to them and
that they were very much disappointed.
The probabilities are that the present
supremacy of the Liberal party in Can
ada, of which sir Wilfred Laurier is
head, depends upon the success of these
negotiations. His disappointment is
evidently very keen.
To Equalize Representation.
A scheme has been outlined for chang
ing the representation in congress &C
cording to the number of votes cast at
each presidential election preceding.
Based upon the vote cast in 1896 Mime
sofa would be 18th on the list of states,
while Kansas, North Carolina, Tennes-
see, Virginia, Alabama and Georgia,
each with considerable larger repre-
sentation than Minnesota, and Missis-
sippi and South Carolina, with the same
representation, would be pushed far be-
low. California likewise would be
dropped down below the North Star
state. The new apportionment would
give Minnesota representatives and II
electoral votes, while California, with
the same number, would be reduced to
representatives, and Mississippi and
South Carolina to 2 EACH 1t is pointed
out that it is hardly fair that Mississippi,
casting 10000 votes, and South Carolina
casting $4,000 votes, should have as
many votes in the electoral college and
as many votes in congress as Minnesota,
which casts 341 800 votes. A number of
states would lose large portion of their
representation in congress and thei1
strength in the electoral college, but
the question arises if it would not be
better to have such representation based
upon the voting strength rather than
upon the non-voting strength.
Personal and General.
Minnesota is always to the front these
days, no matter what important event
is taking place. Archbishop Ireland de.
ivered the address at the funeral OF
General Garcia, which was held with
military honors in this city. A great
deal Of regret has been expressed at the
death of that old Cuhan natriot TIL.