The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-10-17

Stirred Up Political
Circles In The State
From Tuesdays Daily.

Announcement of the eandidac,
of State Auditor S. G. Iverson fol
the republican nomination for gov
ernor, and the appointment by Gov
ernor Eberhart of board of thirty
well-known gentlemen to formulate
plan for reorganization of the
state government has set the tongues
of politicians wagging. 1t is a fal
cry to the primaries which will b,
held next year, but politics are con
sidered always in order The gov
ernor's announcement was made il
his absence from the city by George
+. Authier, his secretary, and il
political circles it is the opinion tha
the governors move was so timei
that it is hoped by the executives
friends to weaken Mr.~Iverson's cam
paign slogan. The governor, it is
said, on his return from indianapolis
next Tuesday evening may announce
his candidacy.
Iverson Will Not Resign.
Mr.. Iverson will not resign as state
auditor to become candidate for
governor. He said so Monday: 81
am going to stay right on the job
and attend TO business, he said
There is no reason why l should
resign"
When Justice l.. W. Collins of the
supreme court announced his candi.
dacy for governor in 1904 in opposi.
ton 70 Robert c. Dunn, former state
auditor, he did not quit the bench for
some time. Pressure, however, be-
came so strong that Justice Collins
was compelled to give up his judicial
position.
1t is argued in Mr.. VERSIONS be
precedent established by Justice Col
Inns does not apply to him. While
it would be improper for a supreme
court member to engage actively in
a campaign for governor, the auditor
would not be so hindercd.
1T would be just as reasonable
said Mr.. Iverson, Ito ask the govern
or to resign because he is going to
be a candidate again"
Not Personal Canvass.
Mr.. Iverson said, in commenting on
whit his campaign methods would
be, that he does not intend to make
much of personal canvass. He
also denied that he is to open head
quarters at once. 1t had been said
that he is negotiating for rooms at
the Merchants hotel, st. Paul.
If Mr.. Iverson is successful he will
be the first state auditor to fill the
governors chair and his announce,
ment recalls the campaign of Mr..
Dunn which was one of the most
bitter political fights ever waged in
Minnesota.
Mr.. Iverson's announcement OF his
candidacy caused no surprise, as it
had been anticipated. Straws indi
eating his entrance into the field had
been blowing about in political cir
Who Will Succeed Iverson?
Interest now centers in the race
for the state authorship. Henry
Rines of Mora, speaker of the last
house, is considered as good as a
candidate to succeed Mr.. Iverson
Aside from Speaker Henry Rines OF
the house, there are three other pos.
sible candidates for state auditor to
succeed Mr.. Iverson. One of these
is A. W. Thompson of Preston, for
mer deputy in Mr.. VERSIONS office
who after his discharge several years
ago has been bitter in his attacks or
the auditor. Then there is p. O. Scow
clerk of court of Todd county who
lives at Long Prairie, the home oil
William e. Lee. defeated for govern
or at the last primaries and a pos
sible candidate again.
Jacob F. Jacobson of Madison
John A. Johnson for governor in 1906
is also said to have his eye on the
job. Jacobson is perhaps more wide
~ known than any of the other can
didates mentioned and his name is
being advanced despite his oft-re
peated assertions that he is out o.
politics.
HaIden Not a Candidate.
Odin Halden, county auditor of st
Louis county, who once aspirod t.
the state authorship, replied prompt
.ly this morning, when asked whether
he would not enter the race. 81 an
not a candidate for state auditor
and will not be-" he said. "Severa
years ago my ambition in that line
~anished, and never since have
been an aspirant either active Of
massive. You can make that state
ment as fat and decisive as you
wish"
With several candidates in tn
field for the republican nomination
for governor, the fight promises t.
be interesting. So far the lineup i
Eberhart, Iverson, Elwell and wit
the possible entrance Of Lee late
in the game. 1t is quite likely tina
one or two others will get into tn
scrimmage.
In announcing his candidacy TO
the nomination Of governor on the re
publican ticket, Samuel G. Iyersor
now state auditor, makes the follow
ing statement to the public: