The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-03-27
Graphic Description Of Convention
and Campaign Following.
Teep Laid For One Candidate and
HeW He Fell Into 1t.
Preacher Had Something to Say Re-
gaTding Local Contest.
From Mondays Daily.

DIR. f. B. Cowgill's fourth chapter of
the sermon-story treated of "Ehe Saloon
IN Politics." and it was an exceedingly
graphic description of a political conVen-
stated took place in town in which
ne once lived The Republican and Demo-
cratic parties engaged in a bitter cam
paign and the Republican candidate for
mayor was the victor. Both parties re-
sorted TO various political maneuvers in
order to accomplish their design. The
Republican candidate, not being an ex-
perienced man of the world, allowed him
self to be dragged into a scheme laid
by the saloon element This naturally
created hostility against him ON the
part of the moral forces in the city, The
story was an illustration of the means
that will be employed by certain ele-
accomplished and also it shows how
weak some men can be. They have not
the moral stamina to throw off those
who would use them as tool.
Some portions of DR.. CowgilPs story
were of humorous character, and the
realism of other portions caused smile
to control the features of several gen
tlemen whose political pulling pro-
clivities are well known.
Dr.. Cowgill's description of the meet
ing of Frank Shaw, the murderer of
Walter Dillman, and his mother was
affecting and brought tears to the eyes
of many.
After reading his sermon story last
evening DR.. Cowgirl said: Zone great
trouble is that there is not enough ac-
tivity among the best elements of the
city before the primaries are held, and
that candidates fail so often to sym
pathize with and carry out the ideas of
the best element, whose aid tney invoke
when the campaign is on. Another trou
BILE is that we give comparatively little
attention to the matter of law enforce
ment except. at election time, usually ton
late to influence nominations, and then
drop the matter after election; whereas
there should be constant and determined
effort to make public officers do their
duty. Another trouble is that there are
so few people, comparatively, who care
-o,,ob about Tho x,norol r,boooc Of o.fu
government. Matters of taxes, public
improvement,in other words, the financial
aspects of city government, are to many
matters of chief concern. recognize the
Importance of these interests, but holi
that matters affecting character AZ
morals are of chief concern. The stats.
ment made here tonight by Ce''A'n I'll.
shy of the Volunteers thct h s.<-D ooys
from IL to l6 years of aee csu.~ into his
mission last night ,!nas, the influence IF
liquor reveals fearful. ceganrable con-
dition of thincr o,r city. An ad-
ministratiop IT,. o:,ars saloons In this
way to bow aD2"s . be iDtolerahle in ),
self respecting ciss. Then there are the
VIVA r.U1Es 20 which the social evil is
to-eer~i The tar. IL that multitude
q Jur boys and s1rls are going to moral
,ru.n. We must put stop to it. Such
e consideration as the proposed munich
gal lighting plant is small concern COM
gard with the matter of law enforce
ment and morality. The indulgence
practically given to vice in this city
should be rebuked severely and at once.
l say nothing here concerning the indi-
vidual candidates in this campaign. (
simply urge that their attitude in re-
spect TO law enforcement be ascertained
and considered, and that good men give
their votes to men who can be counted on
to restrain vice and foster city morals"