The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-02-20
TAKEN FRIGHT BEFORE THE
BATTLE HAS BEGUN.


Commenting on the action OF the
Minneapolis gathering, Tho st Cloud
Journal-Press says The Mankato
Free Press 'as q loyal supporter OF
Governor Eberhart, raises the right
OF these men to call a republican
convention" The Free Press has
always been a loyal republican news
paper and supported the candidates
OF that party with a vigor that has
not been surpassed by any other
republican newspaper In Minnesota.
This paper has never bottled a party
nominee, from president to coroner,
and in the memorable campaign OF
two years ago when republicans
God save the mark-were deserving
the party and rushing hither and
yon-The Free Press stood nobly
by the ticket, rather sIsfering de-
feat than the dishonor II being
called a traitor 10 its party and its
traditions. Under the circumstances
we feel that We have a right to voice
our sentiments in opposition 10 a
crowd Of politicians, who, at time
when their aid was, necessary for
party success, were attempting TO
wreck the organization by boiling the
nominees for president and governor
and wandering off into fields that
were sown with the seeds Of politi-
cal revenge and spite.
The Free Press cares nothing
about the political fortunes of
Governor Eberhart. This paper is
not fighting his battles nor is il
sounding his tom toms. What we
do object to Is the manner in which
a collection Of trimming and bolt
ing politicians ere now attempting
to work up a mugwump convention
and label II republican. They are
striking below the belt. They are
resorting to a ruse in their efforts
TO gain an unfair advantage in the
fight which must ensue for the
g bernatorial nomination. They
are practically casting aside the
nominating machinery which the
legislature has constructed for the
people and now they propose to put
into operation n device OF their own
making, hoping that II will work to
their own particular benefit. What
would these patriotic and liberty
loving gentlemen do IL the conven.
ton they have called should see At
to endorse Governor Eberhart?
Would they stick FOR tie big show"
or would they bolt the nominee.
appoint a committee of fifty, place
one Of their own :svorites In nomina-
ton and then move heaven and
earth to defeat Mr.. Eberhart? That
question has not been answered by
the men who are behind the con-
ference.
Two years ago this same crowd
OF "reformers" was making q great
hue and cry frorc one end of the
state to the other In an endeavor
to secure primary election law. A
convention was held In which a
resolution was adopted demanding
that a special session Of the legis.
Rture be convened for the purpose
G. enacting the new tangled state.
wide nominating system. Governor
Eberhart called the bluff. The extra.
ordinary session Of the legislature
was held, and We all know what
was the outcome. A primary cleo.
ton law was enacted and Governor
Eberhart was renominated by an
overwhelming vote. The opposition
is now between the devil and the
deep sea. In the hope of eliminat.
ing all the candidates but one. they
nave decided to call a convention
and let the people rule" One of
the politicians who Is so anxious 10
defeat Eberhart acknowledged I'm an
interview which appeared in one OF
the twin city papers that IT has been
demonstrated that the trick cannot
be turned in the primaries, so they
must resort to the convention. A
frank admission is said to be good
for the soul. That politician must
feel better since he has confessed
so much.
The Free Press is a thorough be-
lever In the convention system of
nominating candidates for public
Office, but II believes also that the call
for the conventions should emanate
from the properly constituted party
authorities. Let them lie regularly
held and the action taken shereat
become binding OF the party. The
outcome OF the convention called
by the conference of "mixed-bloods'
held in Minneapolis last Saturday
should have no force with the party
as whole. II should have no
weight with republicans. The plan
was conceived IN the brain OF a
political fortune hunter who is seek.
ing to further create discomfort
among republicans and bring disas-
ter upon the party In the hope that
he can serve his own ends thereby. In.