The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-10-23
The Goyernorship.

ernor. and there are about as many
opinions expressed as there are probable
candidates. With this discussion, one
fact has been elaborated upon, and that
is that the party has plenty of excellent
timber from which to make choice, and
whoever is selected will receive the en-
dorsement of the people at the polls by
considerable odds.
At this time, there seems to be a great
divergence of opinion put forward. Gov
ernor Van SAINT, who by the way has
given no intimation so far as the pub
lie is advised that he would even accept
denomination, much less being can
didate, has his champions as well as his
foes The admirers of the governor per-
sist in believing that he will ultimately
come out in the open and permit his
friends to make third term fight, while
many others of his friends believe with
equal persistency that he will not pur
sue such a course, but that he will re-
tire upon his well earned laurels and be
content with the honors that he has re-
ceived at the hands of the people of the
state. Those who look forward to such
conclusion argue that the governor, if
he went into another campaign, could not
hope to receive any such vote as he did
last year, and anything less than an
overwhelming majority, under existing
circumstances, would be construed as a
weakening of his popularity and a con-
sequent blow to any future aspirations
he NIGH entertain for higher political
favors. And, again, there is certain
prejudice against a third-term candidate
which the friends. of other aspirants con-
tend will result disastrously to the gov
ernor if he enters the field.
The candidacy of ex-State Auditor
Dunn is received with good deal of en-
thusiasm on the part of some, and the
reverse on the part of others. The OPP
position to Mr.. Dunn seems to be based
principally upon the feeling that he has
not been in sympathy with the action
taken against the merging of the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific railroads.
In other words his opponents take the
ground that he is good deal of a mer-
ger man and per Sc is out of line with
the popular sentiment existing among
the people of the state Per contra to
this, friends of the Princeton statesman
insist that the merger question having
passed into the hands of the courts for
judicial determination has no more con-
nection with the governorship question
than has the tariff issue. All agree that
Mr.. Dunn made popular state auditor,
and there can be no denial of the fact
that his candidacy will be backed by a
strong and influential element, thorough
ly organized and equipped for fight to
the finish. 1t is claimed, and the claim
will probably be made good, that Robert
will not be permitted to land without a
contest of the severest sort.
There is Hon. Frank NJ. Eddy, good
fellow and popular with those who know
him best, but he lacks acquaintance in
certain portions of the state where other
likely candidates are strong, and he will
have a pretty hard time, in the esti
nation of a large number of leading
party workers, in making a formidable
showing.
Thus it will be seen that the three can.
didates under discussion at this time fol
the Republican nomination are more OIL
less unsatisfactory. And it will be hard
of course, to find any man willing to &C
cept the leadership of the party that will
not be Objectionable to some of the party
leaders. The Free Press has no candi
date and is quite willing to maintain a
somewhat neutral position until the stu.
alton would seem. to demand positive
stand. There are a host of good men in
the party whose names have not been
conjured with up to this time, any one
of whom would honor the position. There
is Congressman McCleary, Congressman
Tawney, Judge Collins, Senator Som.
merville, Senator Bert Miller not to men
ton dozen others of high standing, who
would command splendid support. But
it is probable that most of these gentle
men would oppose the use of their names
Nevertheless, the situation as it now
stands is an incentive to the laymen of the
party who have no particular candidate
in mind, to closely watch the present
discussion and be prepared to act in
diligently and for the best interest of
the party when the time for action shall
arrive. There is ample time yet for
calm reflection, and the nominating con-
vention can be depended upon to choose
the best from the number of availables.
ATTEMPTED BARN BURNING.