The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-07
The Mayoralty Campaign.

The ournal some time ago
asked the question, "Why is Dr.. Will
liams candidate for mayor and what
has Jones done or omitted to do which
makes him unworthy Of .renomina-
tiOn?'
Neither question has been answered
from any source. Answers are con-
spicuously scarce from the source of
the opposition to Mayor Jones renomi-
nation. Where. there should be the
most efulgent light there is the most
lmpenetrable darkness. Where there
should be. the elearest reasons for on
position there is the dullest evasion of
the question.
This is rather unfortunate for the
opposition, for, on the other hand,
Mayor Jones has given clear and con-
vlncing reasons why he is a candidate
Tor denomination and reelection. These
reasons are comprised in the one state
ment that he has begun policy of
law enforcement, and he believes it
ought to be continued. If majority
OF the republicans agree with him. he
will take their nomination and will 90
before the people and promise them
what he has already promised the
republican primary electors, that, if
chosen for the office, he will continue
the. work he has begun.
What is the attitude of the opposi-
tion7 What does it promisea It does
not pledge itself to law enforcement,
tho the issue is plainly and squarely
before the republican party. It does
not pledge itself to anything except in
the chaste language of Williams
boomer, to "show the Jones people
where they get off at
The only serious claim to consider
alton that DR.. Williams has is that he
will be as good mayor as Jones. If
that is so, why not keep Jones? The
public knows what he will do. 1t can
not by any means learn what DR.. Will
Hams will do. In making an exchange,
1t is trading aacertainty for an uncer-
tainty. Have the American people
ever done such a thing with their eyes
open? ..-..
Politically, personally Mayor Jones
has earned denomination from his
party. He has labored indefatigably
in the conduct Of his Office He has
taken care Of the finances in those de-
partments of which he had control
He has remodeled and reformed the DO.
lice. He has fought the charter battles
OF the people thru the highest courts
He has stopped gouge contract which
meant thousands to the city.
If he had neglected his duties we
I could see where there might be dissat.
isfaction in the republican party. If
he had made rank appointments to Of
flee there might be cause Of quarrel
among the public. If he had taker
brides he might have been brought be-
fore the courts and thus disqualified. II
he had proved himself personally unfit
to represent the city there might be nc
question of the propriety of retiring
him.
- But there is no such question raised
1.-The opposition admits that he has at
tended to his duties, that he has made
fit appointments, that he has introduced
the merit system, that he has beer
clean, decent, representative, personal
ly and politically. It Identifies itself
with him up to the point of supporting
! him for denomination and there il
breaks off without giving a tangible
reason for it's action. l.
Are the voters going to do the same
things Are they going to identify
themselves with Jorcs up to the poinr
of supporting him for denomination ant
then fall away without rhyme or rea
sons This must be the hope and ex
Apectation of the Williams candidacy
Having no reason for it's existence i
must rely upon the public accepting il
without a reason. IF it does it will bt
fooled. The republicans are going t.
vote for or against the issue raised BY
4 Jones' The republican voters Of Thu
!. city who have been taught for genera
tions that they represent a party o.
moral ideas are not going to back away
from moral issue. Whether thew lik,
6sor dislike Jones, whether they like o,
& dislike Williams, they are going to stanc
: up to the rack on the issue, Agains
this. rock the Williams forces will dasl
sst themselves to pieces before the date 0:
81 the primary.
f. This planet is becoming too small fo