The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-06-24
Nearing the End.

The contest for the Republican nomi-
nation for governor of Minnesota is
rapidly drawing to close, and it is the
duty of every member of the party who
believes in pure politics, economy in adj
ministration and integrity in the can
didate who will be chosen to head the
ticket. to attend the primaries. These
will be held in the various wards of the
city and country precincts Saturday eve
ming. June 25th, between the hours of six
and eight o'clock. 1t too often happens
that many people find fault with the
candidates chosen, and as a rule those
who complain most bitterly are the very
ones who neglect to attend the primaries.
The issue that confronts the Republi-
cans Of Minnesota this year is of great
Importance. The two leading candidates
for governor represent divergent ideas
and policies upon one of the most inn
portant questions that the people have
had to confront. Mr. Dunn stands as the
acknowledged representative of the great
railroad merger interests of the north
west, and in addition to this powerful
machine he is supported by every promi-
,nent pine land man in the state. AS a
matter of fact his support has it's foun
dation and material backing in the great
corporate interests, and if he succeeds in
the nomination and election the very
element that the Republican party bat
tied against and defeated so overwhelm-
ingiy two years ago will be in the sad
die, and if the voters get the worst of II
during the next two years they them
selves will be blamable.
On the other hand, Judge Collins is
being opposed by the interests above
mentioned and a desperate effort is be-
ing made to defeat him, largely because
he is well known to entertain the same
views that were fought out at the polls
by Gov. Van SAINT two years ago. If the
Republican party of this state, therefore,
desires to retain the fruits of its vic
tory of that memorable campaign it can
do so with emphasis by standing for
Judge Collins estimable, clean-hand-
I'd. courteous and scholarly a gentleman
as ever graced the gubernatorial chair in
tAis state 1eSt ts1"ss
The opponents of Mr.. Collins are be-
coming desperate as they see the, chances
for defeat confronting their candidate in
the closing days of the campaign. 1t is
claimed that Hennepin county is no long
er debatable ground, but sure for the
Judge. Within the past, two weeks pub
lie sentiment has turned against Dunn in
Ramsey county and the supporters of
Collins feel confident of carrying that
delegation. Duluth and st. Louis county,
which had generally been conceded to the
eK-auditor, is no longer considered a
acinch" and the Collins forces are work
lag with determination worthy of the
cause. While The Free Press does not
believe that Duluth can be landed for
the judge it would not be surprised if
such q result was accomplished, largely
because he is pre-eminently the fttest
man for governor.
In common with all sections of the
state Blue, Earth county Republicans
have an important duty to perform, and
that is to turn out to the caucuses Sat
urday evening and see to it that dele
gates to the county convention are chos-
en- who will best represent the interests
of the taxpayers in choosing candidate
for governor who will honor the office
and elevate the standard of politics.