The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-09-14
GutterSen'S Candidacy Has
Substantial Support.
BACKED BY THE PEOPLE.
Much Interest Is Aroused All Along
the Line; McCIeary's Latest Word
10 IVY Good Friends"
Try A STAFF CORRESPONDENT

BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Fairmont. Sept. l0.-This is the home
of Frank Day, who is temporarily as
sisting Governor John \. Johnson IN
running the affairs of the state. When l
arrived here Friday evening close
friend of Congressman McCleary at
tempted to throw the scare into me by
remarking that Guttersen would not
get look in in Martin county, that
the congressman had everything so well
bottled up in his favor that an enemy
could not approach within hailing dis
lance of the entertainments. 1t is true
that Mr.. McCleary's bottleholder, Post
master Shanks of FairmOnt. has tried to
make the farmers of Martin county be-
licve that they are under obllGa-
tions to the congressman for the
free delivery of mail to their doors,
hut the farmers have got wise to the
fact that those routes would have been
established even if Mr.. McCleary was
living in the Fiji islands and knew no
more of the United States than Hot
entot. They know that if anyone is re-
sponsible for the establishment of those
rural routes, that person is Hon. Gilbert
Guttersen. who inspected almost every
proposed route in southern Minnesota.
But Mr.. Guttcrsen is claiming no special
credit. He performed the duties of his
office faithfully and according to the
rules of the postoifice department.
But Martin county is not going to
McCleary with a large majority. Mr.
Guttersen will hold his opponent even at
any rate Just now the people of this
particular bailiwck are engaged in a
senatorial contest that overshadows all
other things politically. Albert X. Allen
OF Fairmont and w. A. Hinton of Tru-
man are the principals in this affair and
it promises to be one of the most eX
citing political battles ever pulled off
in this part of the world. 1t is reported
that all the postmasters in Martin coun
ty are fighting Allen. Their attitude
is the result of secret instructions from
Postmaster Shanks, Congressman Me
Clearv's henchman. who bosses the p.
MS about as if they were menials or
deckhands on a Mississippi river packet.
But straws show which way the wind
blows. and the fact that the stamp kill
ers are putting the boots to Mr.. Allen
is a strong indication of how Mr.. Me
Cleary feels regarding the senatorial
mill
But speaking of Postmaster Shanks.
He is good fellow and a politician. He
assumes the air of one who carries the
republican vote of Martin county in his
inside pocket and can deliver it when
ever and wherever he sees fit. He is a
smooth manipulation, but does not look
the part. He frequently gumshOes the
county. but his trail can be followed
frequently. He is expected to hand Mar
tin county over to McCleary on Sept.
Is. A number of the b'hoys hereabouts
are growing FESTIVE under the whip
which Boss Shanks cracks with such
harsh frequency. Shanks has held q
political job ever since he was old
enough to vote. His father was an of
fceholder before him and likewise q
steering committee of one whenever a
political fight was on. So the present
Shanks came by MS bossing proclivities
honestly.
One of the gentlemen who stands hgl
in the councils of the republican party
in this city is Colonel a. L. Ward
banker, editor, merchant, and has a large
assortment of interests that to look aft
er them would ruffle the good nature OF
most men, but not so with the genial
whole soued colonel, who possesses al
even temper and sweet disposition. The
colonel is not giving Representative Nc
Cleary earnest support this year. Why
Easy of explanation. Colonel Ward is
opposed to an utra-high tariff and sub
scribes to the doctrine which was pro
mugated years ago by John Sherman
James A. Garfield and other statesmen
of like brain who could see into the
future and the trend that this country
should take on the tariff question. Col
onel Ward is one of the men who blazet
trail into Martin county and assisted
in developing the country. He is nov
looking after the construction of a build
ing-a new and handsome and wei
equipped home for his newspaper-tht
Independent and the German publica
ton. He took pleasure in showing mi