The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-01-11
WHERE ARE WE AT?

WHERE ARE WE ALT
The senatorial contest for Davis
successor now on in st. Paul. unless
the strength of Republican wilson is
brought quickly and emphatically to
the 'front.' is more than liable to leave
the Republican party in most unen-
viable position. 1t is, or at least
should be, a contest among Republi-
cans for Republican United States
senator. If it is such a contest, then
in all reason, a caucus should be held
without delay, and let the majority of
the Republican senators and represent
tatives settle the choice.
All kinds of rumors anent Robert
G. Evans waning support have been
sent broadcast over the state. without
a scintilla of truth behind the state
ments 1t is daily claimed by the st.
Paul papers that he has lost SO much
support that he is today the weakest
of the three candidates, and yet not
single name of these claimed deserters
have appeared as proof of the state
ments.
Of course there is no truth for these
reports and no grounds for their cir
culation other than to create a false
impression in the country and
scare among the members neither
of which will be accomplished Mr..
Evans has more pledged votes today
than at any time since the senatorial
contest opened. He is the only one of
the three candidates who has come out
boldly and asked for caucus and has
said that the earlier it is neld the bet
ter it would suit him. His friends
have said the same thing, and last
night the Evans leaders came out and
asked for joining of forces to secure
a caucus.
Whether true or not the Free Press
cannot say, but it is currently reported
in st. Paul that the Clapp men do not
want caucus and will not render any
assistance in securing one. Mr. Taw-
ney is in Washington, but it is under
stood that he and his supporters are
agreeable to caucus.
There are forty-two Democratic
senators and representa- tives in the
present legislature, and one hundred
and forty Republicans. 1t does not
seem possible that the hundred and
forty Republicans will for one mo-
me mt allow the forty-two Democrats
to dictate who shall be chosen United
States senator. And yet this very thing
is more than likely to happen if a
considerable minority of the Republi-
cans shall decline to go into, and re-
fuse to abide by, a caucus nomination.
The man who would lend himself to
the accomplishment of such an un-Re-
publican result he is not the kind of
man whom the people of this state
would look upon with great deal of
pride as the success or of the late
lamented Cushman K Davis.
1t is about time that the countrv
was heard from on this question. Left
to the Republicans in caucus there is
no danger but that an acceptable and
deserving successor to Davis can easily
be chosen. 1t is Republican contest
and Republicans should settle it with
out the aid or consent of the OPPOSE
tion.
Whether the nomination shall 90 to
Evans, Clapp, Tawney or some other
man, makes no difference from the
standpoint of Republicanism. The
men before the state up to date are all
good men, and if their Republicanism
is to stand the test of deserved re-
cognition then let them declare their
willingness to hold caucus within
reasonable time and put their SUD-
porters in line for one. 1t is only bv
this means that the Republican party
OF Minnesota can reap the full fruit
of their magnificent victory at the
polls and at the same time find ont
where they are at.