The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-02-03
POLITICS AND NEWS.
Gossip and Varions Opinions Gathered at
the Capitol City.

ST Paul. Jan 24.-EOur years ago Gne
Republican party left Charley ToWne.
So we were told. Last week when the
legislature elected a United States SEN
ator the Populists and Democrats voted
for Towne and against Davis. The
member who nominated Towne paid
glowing tributes to Davis. but said 1T
was political duty to vote for Towne.
Now the question before the house is:
Why should not the minority have voted
for Republican whom the party had
not left as we'll as for Republican
whom the party had left?
~
One of the most important questions
to come before the legislature this sea-
sion is the future policy of the state
with reference to the care of the insane.
The hospitals are over-crowded, and
means must be provided for relieving
the pressure and taking care of new pa
tients Two years ago, the legislature
instructed the Board of Corrections and
Charities to inquire into the Wisconsin
county asylum system The board has
now reported and the members unani-
mously recommend the Wisconsin sys-
tenn for adoption in this state. 1t is
claimed to be the most humane and at
the same time the most economical sys
tenn known 1t is said that friends of
Hastings and Anoka have compromised
their differences, and are willing that
two hospitals smaller than that contem
plated two years ago be built and that
each of the two cities get one. Rumor
has it that both cities will combine
against the Wisconsin system for self
protection, or against any other plan
that would prevent them from each get
ting a state institution. This, however,
is not generally credited, as the desire
of the individual members is unques.
tionably to adopt the plan which is best
for the state, without particular refer
communities
~
The Populists in some parts of the
state are very much exercised by the
friendly attitude of Gov. Lind toward
Warden Wofer of the state prison. In
the northwestern part of the state the
prison manage ment figured very con-
spicuously in the campaign, and this
was one of the institutions which the
followers of John Lind promised to rem
ovate. To find that the idol of their de
votion, in whose interest they charged
all kinds of corruption against the pris
on management, deliberately endorses
Mr. Wolfer's work is a humilia ion
which the Populists will not soon for
get. The real thorn in their flesh is
perhaps that there is one job lessfor the
forty-year appett tiers.
*x*
'tGov Lind seems to be pretty we'll
satisfied with the way the Republicans
have been managing the affairs of the
state, and will give us Fusion reform in
homeopathic Doses" says the st James
Gazette. Yes, and those who had wool
pulled over their eyes last election will
be satisfied to go back to the party
which has built up the institutions
which Mr.. Lind and his party SO vigor
ously abused, and in 1900 they will give
id Nft hn hinh
the Gazette states he is administering
a good, big homeopathic dose.
~
Strange things happen in this land
of the free and home of the brave"
When the clerk of the house of repre-
sentatives in his roll-call calls the
names, "Wheatonl Winston which
names come together, but few realize
the wonderful story which the simple
calling of those names tell. Hon
Frank J. Wheaton is the negro elected
as member of the legislature from
Minneapolis. Hon. P B Winston, also
a member from Minneapolis, comes
from an aristocratic family of the
South. Here the two meet as equals,
representing the people of a great state
in its legislative halls Not only this,
but they serve on the same delegation,
and when vote is taken, answer one
after the other. ~
MN
If the bill now before the legislature