The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-04-19
HARMON DEFENDS
PUBLIC RECORD
Resents as SIandar IntInation
He FaVOTs Big Interests.

Omaha. April Ex-Governor Harmon
OF Ohio spoke here in reply to crit.
cisms OF his public record and the as
sertien that he Is reactionary. He
resented as Islander the intimaton
that he stood for or permitted special
priyileges-''an offense little short OF
treason in the eyes OF the Democrats
and declared the charge that be took
part in the sale of government bonds
while a cabinet officer was mere wan.
tonness.
Governor Harmon's visit to Omaha
followed an announcement that Will
lam j. Bryan would speak in opposi.
ton 10 Governor Harmon. Mr. Harmon
did not mention the name OF the Ne
braskan hut said:
The good people OF Ohio Will BEAR
me out when | say. as do. that not
in a generation have their affairs been
so honestly. fairly. economically and
capably managed as they have been
by the present Democratic admins
tration. II has been because JefTer-
sonian principles were practiced and
not merely prated about
In beginning Governor Harmon said
There has been no retraction OF
the published statement that | took
part in a sale of government bonds
which occurred months before | en-
tered the cabinet. And as the facts
are matters of public record making
the charge without inquiry was mere
wantonness.
Commended by Republicans.
Among the many things ii was my
good fortune 10 accomplish as attorney
general. the one which is bes. known
and for which even my Republican
successors have commended me, was
securing from the supreme court the
first decisions UNFOLDING the Sherman
antitrust law.
These were not announced until
| my term had expired, hut atterward
became the basis of the cases in which
that wholesome LAW was enforced un-
III the recent ones wherein the idea
OF reasonableness was introduced Yet.
though these facts are common kuowl
edge. the false statement is reiterat.
! ed that neglected my duty in that re-
gard
But my first election ss governor.
! when Ohio went Republican by almost
! 10000 majority. WAS due to the knowl-
edge of my public services and the be-
! lief by the people Of Ohio that their
continuance would bring about reforms
/ whose need had become urgent
One Of these related TO fsvoritisni
and grating in connection with the
deposit in banks of the public money
While ! was making the campaign
| largely on these matters one OF my
associates on the ticket. as was after
ward learned. was trying to better his
prospects by promising deposits in
case OF his election To bankers who
would give him support by votes or
/ contributions. This man is nov noisi-
~ progressive and fabricator in chief
of league at whose first meeting the
door keeper WAS under indictment for
bribery In the legislature and is now
in the penitentiars.
The speaker discussed national af.
fairs and. referring to the president.
said he never could understand how
anybody can rest content with being
& mere pIaceholder while economies
and practical reforms are suggesting
, themselves all around him. especially
in times when the fast growing cost
of living strains the resources OF al
most every home.
Standing for or permitting special
privileges or advantages of any kind
through the action of government
maintained by all the people for their
equal benefit is an offense little short
of treason in The eyes of the Demo
Gratis he continued.
The intimation that | ever was or
could be. actively or passivels. guilty
of this offense | resent az a SANDER
without excuse or mitigation. I would
rather be charged with theft, because
that would involve no betrayal of
trust. reposed by my countrymen and
would admit of restitution.
1T is said and | think truthfully,
that have the confidence of the men
who conduct the business enterprises.
great and small, which have done so
much to make Ohio what she is.
The weakness of the Republican
party is that IL has become the party
of a class. The strength OF the Dem.
ocratic party ia that ii has never been
the party OF any class.
lis 1t now proposed to change all
this? Are We TO nominate for presi
dent some one whom the men OF bust
ness all over the country fear or dis
trust? The answer depends chiefly on
ourselves