The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-10-23


BRYAN. 1t was bitter pill for the
democratic nominee for congress and
it almost gagged him. The disagree
able feat was performed after much
persuasion and coaXing on the part OF
James r. MeCleary, who had presented
the awful medicine to him on three
separate and distinct occasions and
would have repeated the performance
again this evening had Mr.. Hammond
not taken the dope when he did.
Mr.. Hammond had recovered some
what from the body blows that We're
landed on him during the debate at
Luverne Monday night and he appear
ed on the stage of the Window opera
house with a chip on his shoulder,
daring Mr.. McCleary to knock it off
Mr.. McCleary accepted the def and the
chip was knocked into the wings and
kicked out of doors.
\ crowd of ''rooters" from
st. James reached the city at
about eight o'clock and they
occupied many seats in the playhouse.
They were members of clacquers' bri-
cade that did most of the applauding
for Hammond at the Fairmont meeting.
They performed their part well tonight
and at times several of the bunch
attempted to interrupt Mr.. McCleary
while he was speaking. 1t was evil
ELL ~
influence of bad whiskey. 1t was not
until after Mr.. McCleary informed one
of these disciples of rowdyism that no
one in the audience was applauding
his ungentlemanly conduct that the in
terruptions ceased. Mr.. McCleary stated
also that he hoped the friends OF Mr..
Hammond knew how to act the part OF
gentlemen. The Free Press correspon-
dent is pleased to state that while Mr..
Hammond was speaking he was not
subjected to interruptions and insulting
treatment from anyone in the audience.
Hammond Takes His Medicine.
Wilson Borst, the well-known attor-
ney of Window, presided over the meet
ing and DIR. F. r. Weiser and George
La Toureneau acted as time keepers.
Mr.. Hammond was the first speaker.
He was greeted with generous supply
Of applause when he stepped forward.
In opening, the St. James man said
that this was the fourth Joint debate.
Some of the things, that would be dis
cussed during the meeting have been
discussed before. The discussions this
evening would be along the same lines.
Mr.. McCleary had presented him with
list of questions at Fairmont. He at
tempted to answer them at Pipestone
and at Luverne Mr.. McCleary' claimed
that they were not answered. The
speaker said that these questions were
mot the issues. They were due to
conditions that had arisen. "My. oppo.
nent seeks to make prominent that /
am a democrat and McCleary is a re-
publican" And then Mr.. Hammond, with
tineeo of Sadness in his voice, said
that if Independent republicans do not
vote for him on election day he would
u.
the questions the best can" Mr.. Ham
mond sidetrackpd for a moment to say
| that he hoped the papers opposed to him
would treat him fairly. 'Mr. McClearv
| is an able man and can present the
issues i'm an attractive manner without
the assistance of partisan newspaper
that has. we'll I was going to say NAL
ioned be. but l will not use the word. .
| Mr.. Hammond then answered the
questions. The democratic platform
seams to be an excellent presentation
of the issues and met his approval His
| answer was "ves." He knows none OF
those principles that he does not care
to endorse To the third question his
/ answer was "ves."
''In my campaign speeches 7 am en-
deavoring to present the issues between
! Mr. McCleary and myself. a I would
rather discuss issues than men" Mr.
Hammond did, however, favor the cleo
ton of Bryan to the presidency and
answered the fourth question with a
'ycs."
So after all the explaining, which
| appeared to tickle the ribs of the
clacquers from st. James, Mr.. Hammond
can be said to be pretty we'll labeled
with the democratic platform and Bry
anism.
Regarded as Impertinent Question.
Mr. Hammond considered the first foul
questions as impertinent. On the fiftf
question he said: eff the repubE
cans should nominate man who viii
not carry out regime like that
which has had sway under Cannon ant
the democrats nominate man who
would carry on such regime, he would
vote for republican, but until he
knows who the man is he would answer
the question with a "no."
"Good eye," shouted one of the st
James 'rooters" from the gallery.
| How is Mr.. Hammond to find out
whether this or that man will not
"carry on regime like Cannon's?" L
he mind reader?
Having taken the unpalatable dope
Mr.. Hammond proceeded to discuss
|