The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-03-21
STATE POLITICS.

of the way, the question of the make
M of the state ticket is most naturally
coming more prominently to the front,
and who will fill the various offices
will receive more or less attention and
their qualifications canvassed. There
is a great deal of quiet talk going on
as to the men who aspire to some OF
the places on the Republican ticket,
but as vet sentiment has not crystaliz-
ed in favor of any one man in any of
the positions below the governorship,
with the possible exception of those
who are serving their first terms.
AS to the governorship, it is now
generally conceded that Gov. Van
SAINT will succeed himself. He will
not only be renominated, but also re-
elected. He stands stronger today
with the masses OF the people than
ever before since he appeared in public
life and he fully deserves the con-
fidence which is being reposed in him.
While there is opposition to him on
the part of some it is of sporadic
nature, and will come to naught. Not
but what there are men in the state
who would be willing to succeed Van
SAINT, but they fully recognize the fact
that now is not the time to make the
attempt, and have wisely concluded
TO wait another two years. The gov
ernor has come out of the extra session
stronger than he was at the COM
mencement. In spite of the attempt
of some of his opponents TO foster the
responsibility for the extra session
upon him, it. has been plainly shown
that he really had nothing to do with
it in that respect. The legislature
created the tax commission, ordered 1t
to report within a year, and then
reached a tacit agreement with the
governor to call an extra session and
for that purpose adjourned twenty
DAYS earlier than usual. Gov. Van
SAINT did as he agreed to do. More
than this he stood firm for tax revision
along practical lines and his message
on the subject greatly strengthened
him through the state because of the
practical ground he took therein
Then his attitude toward the enforce
ment of the laws of the state regard
ing railway combinations has increas-
ed public confidence in him, and he
has thoroughly demonstrated the fact
that he is friend Of the people
thoroughly honest in his convictions
and ready TO back them up on all occa-
sions He is wholly man of the
people and is proving himself to be
one of the most pra ctical and energetic
governors the state has had of lats
years.
For the position of lieutenant COVER
nor, there are already several names
mentioned, but as yet public sentiment
has crystalized on no particular one.
In fact it is yet rather early to do So
There have been rumors that Lieut..
Gov. Lyndon A. Smith might shy his
castor into the ring again for the
nomination but the general impression
is that having served two terms hi
will step aside for some one else. Ii
all of the talk so far there has been s
sort of a disposition to accord thu
place to Hehnepin county providing i
can agree upon some good man, o.
which it has several. Among those
who have been mentioned as being
either ambitious for place on tn,
ticket, or would make the run if nom
mated, are Senator E. G.. Potter
Ray W: Jones, Judge n. o. Werner
and Judge Ell Torrance. These are al
good men and any one of them woulc
if selected make a strong candidate
and add strength to the state ticket
Another Hennepin county gentleman
who has been mentioned of late by hi
many friends in connection with tn,
lieutenant governorship, is @. A
man. He is one of the leading bust
ness men of the -four city, popular
with all classes. Mr.. Smith has work
ed his way up from poor boy by hi
own exertioas, to place among The
prominent business men of the state
he is man of strict integrity, genia
and companionable, and should thu
Republicans of the state take him III
for the second place upon the tickle
he will add strength 70 it not only il
Minneapolis, but in all quarters of tn
state as we'll 1t detracts nothin
from the good qualities of the othe
gentlemen named in connection wit
the position, to say that Mr.. Smit
would probably prove one of the mos
popular candidates throughout tn
state, that Minneapolis could nam
for that position.
For secretary of state, Peter
Hanson, who is serving his first teri
in a most acceptable manner, wi
doubtless be accorded an endorsement
in the shape of denomination.
The same is true of Julius Bloc
who is serving his first term as trea
urer. Mr. Block has proved mo-
popular official and will have no Of
position.
Some two or three weeks ago "
made mention of the candidacy
Sam G. Iverson for state auditor. E
will not have everything his ow
way, however, as Odin Halden of D,
luth will contest the field with hi
for the position, and it is also rumort
that Representative jacobson of Ii