The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-07-15

James T. McCleary, Washington,
d. c. Dear Sir: Your letter dated
on the Fourth Of July at Wash
ington, D.. c., is at hand.
! regard the proposition stated
therein as too ridiculously absurd
to be worthy of serious eonsidera-
ton. 1 am. yours truly, Franklin
F. Ellsworth.
This is the letter that James T..
McCleary wrote TO Franklin F. Els
worth:
Washington, d. c.. July 4, l9l0.-
Frank F. Ellsworth, Esq, st. James,
Mimi, Dear Sir: Tomorrow ! shall give
to the Washington correspondents of
the Twin City papers an interview on
the situation in the second district. As
Il courtesy to yon, ! am sending an adj
vance copy of that interview.
Mr. Hamond's chief reliance for sue
cess next November lies in another bit
ter contest in the republican primary.
Among good republicans there is an
a courtesy TO you, am sending you
herewith an advance copy of that inter
view.
His Interest in Mr. Ward.
Albert L. Ward of Fairmont is today
the only actual candidate for the re-
publican nomination for congress in
the second district. Your name and
mine are the ones most frequently
mentioned as possible other candidates.
If we stay ont, probably every one
else will Your ambition TO serve in
congress is entirely natural. Certainly
not less so in my desire for yindica ton.
But in the interest of party harmony
am willing to forego this for the pres
ent and leave Mr. Ward clear field
for the nomination. Won't you join
me in subjecting personal interest and
ambition in order TO promote the gen
eral good!
Mr. Ward is one of the founders and
builders of Southern Minnesota. Not
without reason his name has for years
been mentioned for congress. And in
modest way he has for years been a
candidate for that office. His long and
successful business experience has Civ
en- him preparation for valuable public
service \ term or two in congress
would be an honorable browning of his
life work. You and | are young enough
to yield him this honor gracefully. /
am willing to do so. Won't you?
Mr.. Ward and | do not fully agree in
our views on some public questions, he
being more radical than |. But the
differences are not sufficiently funda-
mental and important to prevent my
supporting him heartily. Still less are
his views different from yours.
But II Has No Foundation.
There is 2 widespread feeling among
thoughtful republicans all over the dis
trict that you were originally encour-
aged to come out by the friends of Mr..
Hammond for the express purpose OF
insuring contest in the republican
primaries. BY one act you cannot only
disprove this charge but you can also
show Yourself an unselfish friend OF
that great party OF whose success the
well -being of the American people so
much depends. In my Judgment there
will be no contest in the republican pri-
maries unless it is started by you.
Very truly yours, James T. McCleary.
Mr.. McCleary and the Second
To the Editor of The Minneapoli
Journal: If it is true, as published in
Washington dispatch To the Journal,
that eN-CongresSman McCleary, for
years the idol of second district re-
publcans. has written to Frank +.
Ellsworth, suggesting that ne withdraw
from the congressional field in favor
of A. l.. Ward at the same time inform
ing him that if he refuses or declines
to act afirmatively on the suggestion
that he, McCleary, will also become Il
candidate, it is certainly an exhibition
of ripened gall demanding surgical at
tention at the hands of the people of
this district.
Uro1 What Meat, Etc.
Upon what meat hath this our
Caesar fed that he hath grown so
great:'' BY what standard of political
ethics does Mr.. McCleary presume to
possess the right TO dictate who shall
for congress in the second district? Mr..
Ellsworth was the first republican in
the district to announce his candidacy
in opposition to Mr.. Hammond, and for
some time after the sudden death of
Clarence Dinehart had the field to him
self
A short time ago Mr.. A. l.. Ward of
Farmont, entered the field, and it is
no secret that Mr.. McCleary wants to
again find some excuse for shieing his
caster into the ring He has evidently
made himself believe that the presump-
tive letter he is credited with having
sent to Mr.. Ellsworth will open the way.
for with all of his eagerness and egOtism
he cannot for a moment believe that
Mr.. Ellsworth will treat his letter with
anything less than contempt. which it
richly deserves.
No Issue to Thresh Out
The writer has no issues to thresh
out with for or against Mr.. McCleary.
While he was in congress he made a
splendid representative. For time he
was invincible at the polls and had he
hardened to the voice of his constitu-