The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-05-08

With the democratic primaries only
a few hours away. Bryan and John
son leaders are making the most extra
VACANT claims for the control of the
state. So persistent are the claims
of the Bryan men, that friends of the
governor have become alarmed and pro-
fess to see in the movement, menace
to the very political existence of the
governor who has become presidential
possibility.
Both sides have girded themselves for
the fight and one of the bitterest in
ternecine struggles ever carried on
by the Democratic party is in progress.
F. Should the. defeat of Governor JOAN
son be accomplished in his own state,
it. viii mean the immediate collapse of
his presidential boom. 1t would also
mean the riding into power of the Bry-
an men of the state, who would take
the shortest cut possible TO wipe out
the leadership and influence of Cover
nor Johnson and of Frank A. Day.
Both the governor and Secretary
Day realize this and are putting forth
the most strenuous efforts, not only to
accomplish a victory, but to make it
as complete as possible. They pro-
fess to feel confident, of the result,
but in spite of that, they are doing
everything they can. The entire ad-
ministration forces have been out for
weeks, working every nook and granny
of the state.
Private Secretary Day has gone ON
record with a prediction upon which
he is willing to base his reputation
as an astute politician; he says that
the Bryanites will not have over one
hundred delegates in the state conven-
ton. Whether or not Mr.. Day is a
good political prophet remains to be
seen. 1t is still remembered that when
Governor Johnson was elected by
about $4,000 majority, on the night be-
fore the election, Mr.. Day predicted
his election by 1000.
Mr.. Day has been in conference
with party workers all over the state
by long distance telephone and states
positively that the result will be a
sweeping victory for the Johnson
men.
why" said Mr. Day yesterday, 81
have just been talking with Martin
, O'Brien, in Crookston. They say the
Ninth district will be for BRYAN. Mr..
O'Brien assures me positively that the
Ninth will be solid for johnson. We
will carry Duluth two to one. I had
assurances of this from Colonel Wise.
of The Duluth, Herald. It's the same
way all over the state. Why, there's
no fight anywhere"
In Minneapolis the Bryan men are
making their most positive claims.
which are just as positively denied
by the Johnson men.
"We have taken a poll and know
what. we are talking about" said one
prominent Bryan man. 'We have the
workers with us. Why, 100 out of the
l44 precinct committeeman are with us
and twenty-five out of twenty seven
OF the members of the county COM
mittee are also Bryan men. That is
good starter ~
1t is expected that the hardest fights
in Minneapolis will be made in the
Third, Second, First and Sixth wards.
1t seems likely that the Third and
Sixth wards will go for BRYAN and the
Second, and FIRST for Johnson, barring
a landslide either way.
>Both sides claim to have every pre-
cinct thoroughly organized as. well as
the country villages.
Bryan men are preparing to receive
reports at their headquarters, 3O4
Andrus building, while the johnson
men will receive returns at Richmond
halls,
In Hennepin county it is expected
the Johnson candidates for delegate
positions will be Swan J. Turnblad for
delegate large and +. J. Conroy anG
George p. Douglas for district dele
gates. The Bryan candidates will be
Frank Larrabee for delegate-at large
and c. A. Quist, Judge Corrigan, John
Musgrove as possible district delegates.
If the Johnson men are Victorious.