The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-01-30
SUPPORT IS SOUGHT
He's Out In An Open Bid
For Nonparty League
GIVES WORD TO PUBLIC
Opposed StrongIy.To An EIim-
ination Convention; State
..-.. ment Made

Franklin w. Ellsworth, representa-
tive from the Second congressional
district, is speaking the Endorsement
of the Nonpartisan League for Gov
ernor of Minnesota, says The st. Paul
Pioneer Press.
Moreover, he will have nothing to
do with any plan of the republican
party to hold an elimination conven-
ton to pick one candidate for the
gubernatorial race.
These statements are made exclu.
sively to The Pioneer Press in the
signed interview with Mr.. Ellsworth.
they place him in somewhat the
same category as Thomas Frankson.
opponent Of the elimination plan, but
who has announced that he Twill
fight the league"
They further complicate the Re-
publican situation, already filled with
perplexities. but clarity the situation
should Ellsworth succeed in getting
| the Nonpartisan league Endorsement
CAS- candidate for the republican
nomination" Mr.. Ellsworth says, 81
would appreciate the Endorsement of
any organization, great or small
whose membership includes qualified
electors of the state.
Would Accept Endorsement.
Il say unhesitatingly that l will
accept the Endorsement of the Nom
partisan league, if rendered to me,
as l would accept the Endorsement OF
any group of voters associated to-
gether for proper purposes"
= His statement was made in answer
to an inquiry regarding his attitude
toward the Nonpartisan league and
as to whether he would submit his
candidacy to the decision of a Re-
publican convention.
81 am, as l announced last April,
a candidate for Governor of Minneso-
ta," Mr.. Ellsworths statement says.
Il shall file, under the provisions of
the existing laws, for the Republican
nomation to be voted for in the Re-
publican primaries in June.
+ Il shall recognize no action of cleo
tors except the action provided for by
the duly elected members of the Leg
Eislature of the state under the au-
thenticated provisions Of the law of
the state providing for primary cleo
TONS"
Then follows Ellsworth's open de-
fiance of any plan to hold an elimi-
nation convention, making certain
that whether or not he obtains the
: Nonpartisan league Endorsement,
4 will hn 60 81,
Republican nomination-the choice OF
the convention, if such is called,
Thomas Frankson and Ellsworth
Strikes at Convention.
81 not only will not recognize but
do not favor any So called Repub-
lican convention to indorse one can
didate for Governor, hut | deny tho
authority or right of any person OF
persons to hold any convention for
, such purpose
Il further assert that there is no
call whatever for any such action ex-
cept by the regime in Minnesota pol
itics which knows that the primary
law-their CREATURES about to des-
troy it's creator, because, and only be-
!, cause, through great intensive organ
ization among the common people, the
protested benefit of the law, that is
actual effective participation direct
ly in the state government, gives
promise of full realization.
They, the political clique, a clique
more vicious than in any other state
, in my opinion, favored the present
primary law and helped procure its
passage with the open boast that no
man independently could afford to
embark on a state wide campaign
and would be forced to fly for assist
ance to the interested sources OF
wealth.
because the people threaten to storm
their political strongholds under the
rules of warfare thus provided
Calls System Senseiess.
There whole proposition is insane
and senseless. They are facing de-
feat and demand the surrender of
the victor.
/. LET me suggest that | should in.
deed encourage their holding theil
: proposed convention, So called, if
only they will confine themselves to
such candidates, other than myself,
who might indicate their willingness
to enjoy the mild sensation of an
elimination by ruthless butchery,
and the people may thus see where
the communicating trenches lie and
the fine spun meshes OF their polit-
ical fabric.
CAS- to my willingness to accept the
support of the Nonpartisan league,
regard the fact that the farmers and
uorkingmen are organized in our
state, as have been bankers, bust
ness men and all professions, occu-
ations and crafts, as prospect of a
real achievement in the politics of
Minnesota.
! Pride in Their Support.
| Further, would, if it were deter
| mined that / merited their support,
take just pride in their indorse-
/ ment, and feel that there was better
prospect for inaugurating some kind
of legislative program to accomplish
$50 aB-- s.zs.-s