The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-06-24
from EridaN,s Daily.


day was one of the most animated
| that the party has held in Blue Earth
! county for some years. The county OPP
ton issue was the paramount one, ow-
! ing to the activity of those who are
| fayoring this, and the question was
whether the friends or opponents OF the
Issue should control the convention
Both sides were making claims yester-
day and this morning and even when
| the afternoon session opened it was
still TO some extent an open question
which side would finally control the
vital moves. However, the anti county
option forces had the advantage OF
| leadership, and their organization was
an efficient one
The first test of strength came when
the election of temporary chairman
was. undertaken. The county optiOnists
put forward the namme of William
Hall of Sterling, and the ants nomi-
mated Hugh H. Edwards of Lake Crys-
tai. The antis won by decided ma
jority.
The county optionists won the second
bout, when General Widell, business
partner and supporter of Governor
Eberhart, moved that committee of
three be appointed on credentials,
Thomas Hughes, county optionist,
moved an amendment that the com
niittee have five members, one to be
selected from each commissioner dis
trict. The amendment was carried by
a majority of ten.
The convention was in favor of the
nomination of Governor A. O. Eberhart
to succeed himself in his present of
flee, but the anti-county optionists
wanted him endorsed without any ifs"
and lands" and with no reference to
county option. The optionists wanted
to commit the convention to their way
of thinking, and there was a good deal
of expectancy in the air, a well as
suppressed excitement, when the con
vention opened this forenoon, and also
again this afternoon before it was called
to order.
Chairman Edwards made an excellent
presiding officer, pushing the business
along, and throwing in some of his
lnimitable humor and mannerisms. He
kept the rank and file good natured.
The convention was composed of
some of the best and most prominent
men in the city and county, and it
was as intelligent body of men as
could be gathered together anywhere.
The interest shown angurs well for
republican success next fall, for when
the party is aroused it generally wins.
The convention met at the council
chamber in the city hall, at 1890 a. m.,
but as that room was manifestly too
small for such large gathering, ad
journment was taken to the Free
Press hall. where the convention was
called to order fifteen minutes later
by John Nyquist, chairman of the re-
publican county committee. Secretary |
Peter Lloyd read the official call, which
said that the purpose of the convention
was to elect sixteen delegates to the |
state convention to be held at ST. Paul |
June Il to nominate a republican state
ticket.
Nominations for Chairman.
At the conclusion of the reading of
the call, Benjamin Taylor nomina ted
William Hall of Sterling as temporary
chairman, and this was seconded by
two or three delegates
S. b. Wilson nominated H. H. Ed
wards of Lake Crystal, as republican
OF long service, who was deserving of
the honor. This was seconded.
The chair stated that a ballot would
be taken, and he named Theodore Will
Jams, Oliver Olson and C. j. Laurisch
as tellers.s Mr.. Taylor suggested that
Mr.. Laurisch was not "a delegate, but
Mr.. Laurisch claimed to be one A
'quabble started over this, and Mr.
Taylor withrew his objection if Mr..
Laurisch claimed to be delegate.
The result of the balloting was
awaited with breathless interest, as
t was realized that this would show
he relative strength of the county OPP
lon and anti-county option forces. Both
lad been making strong claims all the
morning of having majority of the
delegates. The line was drawn clearly
The ballot resulted, Hall AZ, Ed
wards Co.
H. H. Edwards Elected
Mr.. Edwards was declared elected,
md said that he was much obliged. He
lid not seek the honor, but would not
efuse it. He was sixty eight years
if age, and enlisted in the army in
S63 and served through the rest of
he war; He cast his first vote for
Abraham Lincoln for his second term. /
lie had come to Mankato in 1855, and
lad lived here ever since. He had al {
rays stood by the republican party and 9
vas going to do so to his grave.
Mr. Edwards called upon l.. F. Hunt
or remarks, and the latter said that s
e was not a delegate. However, he S
ave a good republican talk. He urged
he county to stand by Governor Eber- $
art, as this was the first time that s
had chance to elect one of its t
tizens governor. He urged that the i
epublicans of the county get together t
nd elect members of the legislature. +
nd that the second district republicans t
,deem the district and elect re- p
ublican to congress. He said that
lankato was still his residence and t
lat he did not intend to 90 elsewhere. o