The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-03-22
DEMOCRATS AT SEA
They are Divided on the May or
atty Question.
Geo. NJ. Palmer Will Accept the Nomi.
nation for Alderman in the Fifth
Ward on Condition.

The Democratic party in the city is
badly split up on the mayoralty ques-
tion. There is a growing sentiment
in favor of nominating Mic Petersen
for mayor, and he will undoubtedly be
named to head the ticket. But will he
qualify? Some of the knowing ones
assert that he will not qualify if by
refusing to do so he can assist in the
defeat of Mayor Currier. This, of
course, is in the event he is unable to
figure out his own election. There are
all sorts of rumors in the air and this
may be nothing but rumor. If Mr..
Petersen were to be nominated and
fail to qualify, it would cause resent
ment on the part of many in his party,
and they might vote the opposite
way from what he would like to have
them. This consideration may act to
cause his counseIlors to hesitate be-
fore advising him to decline a nomi-
nation when it is too late to fill his
place. This applies to anyone else who
may be nominated.
If Mr.. Petersen is nominated and
stays il the race it will be hot.
three-cornered fight, with the chances
largely in favor of the Republican
nominee, whoever he may be.
Geo. NJ. Palmer has been frequently
NV IN hn h
ward as one who would make splen-
did alderman. The fear that he would
not take the nomination has prevented
any concerted movement in his favor
This afternoon, Mr.. Palmer was ask
ed by Free Press reporter whether he
would accept the nomination for alder
man if rendered to him by the Repub-
lican caucus. He replied that while he
feels that his business is such that it
should receive his full time and atten-
ton, he would not decline the nomina-
tion for alderman if the voters cannot
unite on some other good man. Mr..
Palmer did not Use exactly these
words, but this was their meaning. He
further said that he would not feel
like declining the nomination if ten
dered to him with degree of unan-
unity, thus showing it to be general
wish that he take the Office
Mr.. Palmer would fill the Office of
alderman in a highly satisfactory
manner. He is broad in his views,
and an excellent bust ness man, and
would be fit successor to Aid Meyer.
In taking the position that he does,
Mr.. Palmer is making a considerable
concession, as he is busy man. But
it is our best business men that are
needed in the city's legislative body.
Without detracting from the merit of
others who have been mentioned,
the two parties could not do a better
thing for the city than to unite on Mr.
Palmer and make him the unanimous
choice of the ward.
Friends of G. S. Hallstrom held a
meeting at the Dukes addition hose
house Saturday evening and expressed
it as their sense that there be no other
Republican candidate before the eau
Gus.
Fred Day is also candidate for al
derman from the First ward, subject
to the action of the Republican caucus.
Either he or Mr.. Hallstrom would
make an excellent alderman, and if
the Republicans of that ward unite
upon whichever carries the caucus
they will win at the election.
The Democratic cauduses will be held
tomorrow evening and the convention
Thursday, and the Republican eau
cuses Wednesday evening and the con-