The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-11-06

FearlessIy and unequiyocally. Will
liam T.. Lee of Long Prairie, nomi-
nee for governor on the republican
ticket. told more than twelve hun
dred people at the Armory hall last
evening just where he stood on
every issue that was discussed.
He made splendid appearance
and impressed the people with his
eminent fitness for the office for
which his party had named him.
His remarks were frequently inter
rupted with bursts OF applause. IL
was clear that he had his audience
with him.
The size OF the gathering did not
do Justice to Mr.. Lees actual draw
ing power as a stump speaker. The
trouble was that the hall was not
large enough. Had there been room,
the opinion was freely expressed,
at least two thousand would have
gathered In the hall TO hear him. AS
II was, nearly 1000 chairs that had
been provided were filled long be-
fore the time for calling the meeting
to order arrived, and at least four
hundred stood up during the en-
tire two hours the meeting lasted.
Mr. Lee made a special feature OF
county option. He was heartily In
favor OF giving the people Of every
county the power OF wiping saloons
out Of those divisions of the COM
mon wealth, without regard to what
individual cities or villages might
think about H. He also took a
decided stand In favor OF the move
ment for reconstruction OF the
state administration.
Song BY orpheus Chorus.
Benjamin Taylor, chairman Of the
meeting announced as the first mum
Der OF the program, a patriotic song
by the Orpheus Male chorus. The
musical aggregation made its first
public appearance on this occasion
The singers filed the platform and
delighted the audience with the re
markable skill shown in their execu
ton OF the selection.
Mr. Taylor, in his opening address
stated that as the people were
gathered there TO consider questions
of interest not only to the state but
to the nation at large, II should be
remembered that this was the onl,
great nation on earth that was en-
joying the blessings of peace. Il
was true that battle was beint
waged. but II was a battle OF tn,
intellect. He said he firmly believed
that the result of the battle nov
being waged would be to show tina
the people were determined to re
turn to power the party that hat
done so much for the state.
w. w. Rich introduced.
w. w. Rich OF st Paul, deput.
federal marshal, was now present
ed. Mr. Rich observed that every tw,
years the people we're called upoI
to name general manager of tn
business Of the state. called a gov
ernor. II was up to the people 4
10 name a man we'll qualified TO &C
I'm that capacity, and such a maj
was w. Il. Lee. Mr.. Rich declare,
that he had known Mr.. Lee for TN
last thirty years. He was homes
and clean and would stand for some
thing that would protect their boy
and girls. The people had come I
the time when they must decid
whether the saloons and brewerie
were 10 dominate this state. He do
ciared that a county option legisls
ture would be elected this fal
lie declared the saloons were no,
dominating lhe state TO a very larg
extent n Mr.. lee should be go,
ernor with n county option legis:l
ture. there would be county optio
law In force this coming winter.
Power Of the Governor.
Mr.. Rich declared there were N