The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-09-07
McCleafy's Affidavit of the
Campaign Expense.
PUT THE BILL AT $590.24
But Most Likely the Sum Footed Up
to $4,000; How 1t Looked to
An Observer.
IFRoM THE ROCK COUNTY HERALD


A congressman from Minnesota is cred
tied with the statement that the Min
nesota delegation in congress can boast
of one member who has amassed great
fortune. HE is immensely rich,' to
quote the members own words. This
man, he added, is James Il. McCleary
Mr.. McCleary was probably not so
wealthy in 1900 as he is now but it is
known that be had considerable amount
of property at that time, although he
has never owned home in Mankato, his
alleged place of residence, and for the
most part has occupied a room at the
Saulpaugh hotel during the few weeks
he has spent in Minnesota once in two
years. If he should be defeated for con-
gress he would not hold his so-called res
idence i'm Mankato for twenty-four hours
because of and property or business rela-
lions or because of any interest he has
in the welfare of Mankato or its peo-
pie.
But in spite of his wealth, McCleary
dislikes to pay taxes in the town he
calls his home. In the year 1900, accord
ing to The Mapleton Enterprise, the re-
publican assessor of the city of Mankatc
assessed the cOngressman's household
goods at $500, his credits were placed
at 81 900 and all other property at $1,000
making total tax for the rich congress
man of $72. This so wrought up the
schoolmaster that he protested to the
county board, which by the way was
composed of republican officials, and made
statement under oath, which can be
seen by any taxpayer who desires to
inspect the official and public records of
Blue Earth county, in which he says that
Il have no credits nor any other item
in class q subject to taxation, that all
my personal property was properly as
sessed and listed, consisting of house
hold and office goods for $780," and that
''this affidavit is voter in the district,
particularly by every voter who believes
that 'our congressman" is an honest
man.
A statute of this state, known as ''the
Corrupt Practices Act" provides that
any candidate for office at any primary
or general election shall file statement
of his campaign expenses, subscribed and
sworn to by such candidate, Setting
forth in detail all sums of money contri
buted, disbursed or expended or prom
Used by him and to the best of his
knowledge and belief by any other per-
son or persons in his behalf, wholly or
in part endeavOring to secure or i'll any
way in connection with his nomination
and the persons to whom sums and the
purpose for which all such sums were
paid, expended or promised" The limi
tation of the expenses of a candidate for
congress in this district at that time,
fixed by the law quoted, would have per-
mitted Mr.. McCleary to spend not to
exceed YOOoUU
Under the requirements of this statute.
on the Doth day of November, 1904, Mr..
McCleary filed the following affidavit
with the secretary of state:
James Z. McCleary, being first duly
sworn, says that he was candidate for
the republican nomination for congress
Minnesota at the primaries held on Sep
TENDER 20, 1904, and that being nomi-
mated at such priamries he was the re-
congress at the election held November
s, 1904, and as nearly as he can now
state his expenses were as follows: