The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-09-13
Mr.. M'CLEARY BACK
Congressman Returns From His
European Trip.
He Does Not Favor the Government
Ownership of Railroads.&c.. Peter
POstOffice Strife TO Be
Settled.

to remain-unt the middle-of Novem-
Der, when he will start for Washing
ton. He left his wife and son at
Maiden Rock, Wis. where they will
visit..for "a few days. before. 20 joining
himsin.. this--city. -aHe.is looking and
feeling-well. - ,-.-n =.
:. Mr.. McCleary@ and family recently
returned from..a pleasant trip of two
or three months in Europe, and visited
England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland
Belgium, Holland. Germany, Switzer-
land, italy and France. He made a
special study of the government owner
ship of railroads and telegraph lines,
and came to the conclusion that it
would be bad policy for our govern
ment to go into them.
Speaking of the government owner
ship of railroads, Mr.. McCleary
said to Free Press reporter
"Our system of government is differ
ent from that of European govern
ments. There the government plays a
larger part than here. Our general
theory is to give the government moth
ing to do that the citizens can do as
we'll. Our revolution was protest
against the overshadowing Importance
of government.
$50 much for the theory of the
matter. The practical argument
against government ownership and
operation of railroads is that it results
in poorer service and higher charges
on both passenger and freight bust
ness. The same is true as to tele-
graphs The rates are higher under
government ownership and the service
is less satisfactory. Under she Euro
pean system, the employees are less
courteous than in America. They
consider that they are government off,
Gals and in a higher class than the
ordinary citizens. In this way, the
system has tendency to build up
class distinction.
Mr.. McCleary arrived in Buffalo the
day before the president was shot, but
was not On the exposition grounds, at
the time that that sad affair happened.
When the first reports circulated
through the city that the president
had been: shot, there was I'M
belief on the part Of the people. Wien
the report was verified, the people
seemed to be stunned but not much
excited. The longer they had to think
the matter over, and the awfulness of
the crime dawned upon them, the
more excited they became, and for a
time there was talk of lynching the
would-be assassin, but this soon cooled
down. Mr.. McCleary left the city
that night. He had had talk with
the president the day before, but did
not see him the day Of the shooting.
When asked what is to be done
about the anarchists, Mr.. McCleary re-
piled that the Pioneer Press editorial
today meets his views and that the
editorial remarks of Bryan in his
paper are the best that he has seen on
the subject.
"Will congress be apt to take action
in regard to anarchists at its coming
session." asked the reporter.
SIT will very likely give the matter
consideration replied the congress-
man. "This outrage will undoubtedly
lead to congress taking action looking
toward the increased protection of our
presidents from the attacks of anar-
chists. The details of any such action
must be worked out with great care,
80 as not to unduly limit the proper
freedom of the citizens.
Regarding the st. Peter postofice
fight, Mr.. MeCleary said that he
would settle the matter within q
week. There are no other important
places where there are postofices ap-
pointments to be made at this time.
Congressman McCleary expressed the
hope that Senator Benedict would land
the district attorneyship. he thought
that the senator would fill the Office
satisfactorily and well. He thought
Mr.. Benediet's chances fairly good,
and if the appointment goes to some
one outside of the twin cities he con-
sidered the chances very good for the
Mankato. man. The appointment is, a
senatorial one.
Mr.. McCleary leaves this evening for
Fairmont to attend the county fair.
He will address the county. fair at Blue
Earth Friday, and that at Window on
the 18th inst. He will be in Mankato
off and on during the next two months,
going out from here .over the district.
His many friends are glad to see him
back, and his walk up the street this
afternoon was an ovation.