The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-05-20
HeatwoIe's Right Hand Man Sought to
Have Smith Approached.
Desired That a Political Alliance Be
Organized For Purpose.
Dunn for Governor, Joel P. for Senator
and Minneapolis Man
To Succeed Nelson When the latter's
Senatorial Term Expired.
lFrom The Minneapolis Journal. ]

The cat is out of the bag. The details
of the Dunn Heatwole- Smith combina-
ton episode are now common property.
Through no fault of Mr.. Smith, the name
of the man who carried the proposition
to him has been made public.
The message was brought by w. ID.
Springer of this city, secretary of the
Northwestern Compo Board company,
which is allied to the G. A. Smith Lum-
Der company. Mr.. Springer is broth
erin law of Charles I'll. Pierce, postmast-
er at Mortified, and for the last ten or
fifteen years Mr.. Heatwole's fright hand
man" is politics.
A few months ago MIR. Pierce asked
Mr.. Springer to have an interview with
Mr.. Smith and learn whether he would
consider proposition to form a politl-
cal alliance. The scheme was to nom-
nate r. C. Dunn for governor, to elect
Joel P Heatwole to the senate In place
of Moses E. Clapp, and to throw all the
strength of the machine organization to
C. A. Smith as a candidate for the SEN
ate when Knute Nelson's term expired.
Mr.. Springer said that he knew Mr..
Smith would not have anything to do
with it. In the first place, he was try
ing to keep out of politics and could
not afford to neglect his business in any
such way. But even if he had ambi-
lions, he would not go into any such al
lance.
Mr.. Heatwole's representative in
sisted that the matter should be breach
ed to Mr.. Smith. He was only to be
asked whether he would consider it. Ii
he agreed to that, and was willing to
talk it over, they would arrange for a
meeting between Messrs. Dunn, Heat
wole and Smith, when the agreement
could be perfected.
But Mr.. Smith Refused. =.
Mr.. Springer agreed to bring the mat
ter to Mr.. Smiths attention, and did so,
detailing his conversation with MIR. Pierce
AS he had expected, Mr.. Smith refused
to consider the idea at all, and Mr..
Pierce was so notified.
Mr.. Smith is much grieved that the
name of Mr. Springer should have been
made public at this time. When he gave
out his first interview, Mr.. Springer
was ill, and shortly after was taken to
Battle Greek, Mich, where he got on
better. He is still dangerously ill, and
Mr.. Smith refused to give publicity to
his name, but it came out through other
channels.
81 was very much surprised" said
Mr.. Smith today, 'when the matter was
brought to my attention by Mr.. Spring
er. He said night at the start that he had
no idea I would consider it at all, but
he had promised to convey the message
to me. and when he had finished he said
Now, 1 said / would tell you, and ]
have done it, OF course, L sent back
word that l would not have anything to
do with it.
81 have no political ambitions. I am
mot a candidate for the senate or for
any other office, and prefer to keep out
of politics altogether.
Now He Is Abused.
81 have been attacked and vilifed
because I have favored the candidacy
of an old friend, but I have taken nc
active part in the campaign, though
have been made s. member of the Col
Inns advisory committee in this county
Because / came out for Judge Collins
it was charged that was in aedeal with
him, similar to the one that was origin
ally proposed by Mr.. Pierce. & denied
any aspirations to be Il senator, but IL
spite of That the charge continued.
sent word that unless was let alone
would have to defend dayself by tell
ing what hat occurred, and as the abuse
contiaued, 1 fnally did so, but did not
mention the ,Iames of the people who
made she proposition. I am sorry thai
they have been made public, nnder Tia;
circumstances.
81 want to be let alone, and do not
yuarpose to mix in the fight. J. for one