The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-04-07
Municipal Ownership, the One
Great Issue Before People.
City Committed to requirement
of Street Car Franchises.
Fear Of Dominationby Corporate
Wealth Influenced Voters.

Chicago. April 5.-A political tor
nado during the day overwhelmed one
of the most ruggedly unique leaders
In the country. Incidentally the Re-
publican party met defeat In memor.
able effort to capture the mayoraity
of Chicago AS direct result the
city is officially committed to the
policy of the quickest possible cessa-
ton of private franchises for public
utilities. Municipal ownership is es-
pecially threatening street car lines,
valued high up in the millions. After
ginning successfully four remarkable
biennial fights of independents against
the regular Republican party organ
ization here. John Hayward Harlan,
son of Associate Justice Harlan OF the
United States supreme court, was
finally the loser as Republican can
didate for mayor. His defeat is at
tributed to an extraordinary whirl OF
causes, starting with political re-
venge and taking in wide sweep
embracing the most up-to-date Social
ism as a factor. The victor is Ed
ward =. Dunno, Democrat.
Seldom, If ever, has Chicago wit
messed a more lively, picturesque con-
test. The city was hideous with the
ringing of cowbells and the roar of
cannon crackers.
The Republican candidate suffered
heavily from campaign attacks charg-
Ing that he was political assassin.
Deposed Leaders Against Harlan.
ALLEGED unworthy leaders of his own
party who had been thrust from office
and power largely through Harlan's
aggressiveness in previous political
campaigns were conspicuously alb
sent from his support. The result
was painfully evident before the bal
lotting had been in progress one hour.
1t was raw, clustering day. gloomy
and cold for the most part until
about an hour before the close of the
voting. The sunburst then was not
hailed joyfully by the Republicans.
who felt that even in the matter Of
weather the party had been unfavored.
Appeals to fear OF domination by
corporate wealth appeared to sway
voters and perhaps more than any
other influence was incorrectly gagged
by the Republicans. Harlan had been
saYagely harrassed during the cam
paign as the reputed representative
of Wall street interests intent upon
fastening burdensome franchise grants
upon the city. Prohibitionists also
worked against Harlan, as did the me-
groes, who were partial to Dunno on
account of his fair treatment of the
colored race. In court.
One of the amusing features In
urging Judge DUNES election is
his record as father. He is the
happy father of ten children.
The campaign was enlivened by
"Pop" Arson, who has almost as
meritorious a record as father. The
old time hero of baseball was the
Democratic candidate for clerk of
court. His popular personality was
beyond doubt a potent help to the
Democrats who seemed to hugely ap-
preciate his campaign statistics de-
signed to prove that the Democracy,
at least In Chicago, are the original
and only genuine opponents of race
suicide.
Favored Republican Candidate.
First returns from the elections
came from Mr.. Harlan's home ward