The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1918-05-24
Made Charges They Could
Not Successfully Uphold
'LINDBERCH IN The CROWD
Admitted That He Could Not
Swear That Meetings Had
Been Stopped
From Thursdays Daily.

FToffi tuuTS0dyS 0dIIy.
st. Paul, May 16.-Governor Burn
quist last night came out for the
third time in f1at-footed declaration
to G. A. Lindbergh, Nonpartisan can
didate for governor, and most all
candidates for state office on the Non
partisan league ticket and said thai
the right to hold their campaign
meetings must be determined by the
local peace officers, and be judged by
them on the basis of the loyalty OF
disloyalty of each gathering.
Sixty Nonpartisans headed by c. A
Lindbergh, r. A Crane, Magnus
Johnson and T. v. Sullivan, present
ed a memorial in which Governor
Burnquist was attacked for alleged
use of his loyalty for political pur-
poses.
Critic of War Board.
They further charged in the petit
ton that the Public Safety commits
sion and other state officers had caus-
ed "reign of terror by preventing
freedom of speech. They also charg-
ed "this intimidation and oppression
have the countenance if not the uro-
lection of your great office"
Governor Burnquist met the lead
ers of the delegation in his private
chambers and held them to an ac-
counting. C. A. Lindbergh read the
memorial to the governor.
you are coming in with charges
which are absolutely untrue was the
reply of the governor to the petition
And turning to Mr. Lindbergh, Gov
ernor Burnquist asked him if he
could cite single instance that would
support the charges made in tie me-
morial Mr.. Lindbergh replied that
cf his own personal knowledge, he
could not.
Crane Backed Down.
Governor Burnquist turned to r. A
Crane, who was protesting that the
charges were fair and reasonably in
view Of the recent Interruptions to
Nonpartisan meetings, including the
disruption of the Townley gathering
yesterday in Watonwan county.
The governor took issue with Mr..
Crane Under pressure, Mr.. Crane
agreed to be sworn, and admitted that
he had no scintilla of evidence to pro-
duce that would substantiate the
charges that the governors office or
other state departments were being
used to block the campaign of the
Nonpartisans.
The charge was made in the me-
mortal that Myer BRANDING, candidate
for state senator from Ninth legisla-
tive district, had been arrested while
making a political speech. Governor
Burnquist met the charge with the
frank statement that the courts were
open to any man who might be un-
lawfully detained.
Quoted From Recent Order.
Governor Burnquist ended the meet
ing by quoting rom his order filed in
the case of the requested removal of
D. G. Lee, sheriff of Jackson county,
in which he ruled that it was the duty
of sheriff to investigate meetings,
whether lawful or unlawful, and to
prevent the holding of disloyal meet
ings.
Turning to Mr.. Lindbergh, Cover
nor Burnquist asked if that did moi
concede what the Nonpartisans had
asked in their memorial. Mr.. Lind
i bergh said that it was satisfactory
To explain further his stand in per-
hitting lawful gatherings, Governor
Burnquist later said: eff any sheriff
for political purposes, stops a meet
ing, and evidence is shown to sub
stantiate the charge, he can be re-
moved from office and will be-"