The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-04-13
MINNESOTA IN CONGRESS.


Over in the first district w. B. Ander-
son has announced himself as candidate
for congress to succeed J. A. Tawney. In
the sixth and seventh districts definite
movements have also been made looking
to change. 1t is. of course. the right of
any citizen who feels that he is qualifi ed
and would like the place to aspire for that
position. 1t remains with the people as
to whether that ambition shall be graft
fed. The duty of the public is to select
an efficient public servant 1t does not al
ways succeed in doing this. but that does
not in any way change or shift the duty
that devolves upon it. Having selected a
capable representative it would seem to
be in line with good common sense to re-
tain his services so long as he will con-
sent.
1t is doubtless beyond question that
Minnesota today has the strongest delega-
ton in congress that has ever been its
good fortune to have. The members of
this delegation have been faithful in their
application to duty, and having been re-
tanned for several terms, they have gained
an influence there that would taken new
members from two to four years to secure.
Minnesota has been complimented be-
cause of its foresight in keeping its dele
cation unbroken and following the Gus
tom of eastern and southern states which
have grown influential and all-powerful in
congress because when they have found
faithful men they have retained their SER
vices so long as the said members would
consent.
The next two or three years will be
most important ones in the matter of leg
islation in congress Important questions
affecting the nation will come up for &C
ton. The disposition of our new posses
sions will also occupy an important place
in that body. What shall be done with
Cuba will have to be decided, and Mime
sofa will play an Important or unimportant
part in the settling of these questions, in
accordance with whether or not its dele.
cation in congress is composed of men of
experience in national legislative matters
or have had no experience at ALL The
question is, can Minnesota afford to take
back and unimportant seat in Congr ess?
Can it afford to discard experienced
men. who command an influential posi-
ton? The Free Press believes that every
member of the Minnesota delegation
should be renominated and reelected
True there may be differences of opinion
in certain matters between the delegation
and the people of the state They would
hardly be men worthy the high positions
they hold, were they not capable of. and
did they not think for themselves, and
have opinions of their own upon all public
questions.
But they have made mistakes?
All of which goes to show that like the
rest of US, they are simply human. Were
they otherwise they would not merit the
respect and confidence of their fellows
But the Free Press will venture the asser-
ton that no delegation that ever repre-
sented state in congress through a
series of years, with important events fol-
lowing so closely upon the heels of each
other as has been the case during the p asst
two or three years, that made fewer mis-
takes than has the Minnesota delegation.
They have earned and deserve the high ap-
probation of the public of Minnesota.
The benefits to be reaped from keeping
the delegation unbroken in the next con-
gress are great, while no advantage what
ever will result from breaking it. The
matter is one which deserves the careful
consideration of the people free from all
matters of prejudice or personal desires.