The anti-monopolist., 1874-09-17
Gprrespnndente.

Editor Of the Anti-honopolist:
Our little town was furnished with an
entertainment which it is unnecessary
to characterize further than to say
that it was served up by the friends Of
Gen. Averill and Col. King, in the form
of a Republican Primary. on the even
ing of Friday, the 28th ultimo. For
several days previous thereto . fever
ish anxiety had been observed among
our distinguished citizens, I'VE have
many such,) and the presence Of num-
Der Of distinguished citizens from
abroad in frequent consultation with
the leaders Of the different parties, gave
an Importance to each maneuvre which
it otherwise would not have possessed.
For three days and three nights the
saloons ran with the juice of sod corn
and strychnine. For three days and
three nights persons who a few days
before had solemnly declared their in
tention to forsake the tempt
ing glass might have been
seen grandly drunk and
engaged in the laudable calling Of get
ting others drunk. Persons who had
not seen money for so long that they
had nearly forgotten its general ap-
pearance,now had an abundance. Those
who early in the campaign had bar
gained fol, and received in advance, their
expenses to the Congressional Conven-
ton, now promptly rcfuded the money;
and formed new combinations more
profitable and equally congenial. At
last the evening of the great day arriv-
ed. There are not exceeding fity-fve
electors of all parties and factions in
the precinct. The Republican portion
assembled at the designated place. and
the grea.. primary was organized. There
was nothing remarkable in its organi-
zation except the selection ola Federal
Official as one of the officers who in
himself was remarkable. He is ia
vored with number twelve
foot and number fourteen
mouth, through which is emitted the
most exquisite English,with the rythmic
flow Of bucket Of butter milk into q
hog trough. The voting commenced.
There was general rush for the greasy
hat of the Federal official, into which
the ballots were deposited. Almost in
stantly the official challenged one gen.
tlemaa on the ground that he was q
| Democrat. Some words passed, under
cover Of which the official received from
| friend ten or q dozen tickets, and
carefully shook them apart into the
hat. Then he was overruled and the
Democrat voted. In short time the
same performance was repeated; but
this time the person who offered his
ballot was objected to on the ground
| that he was resident Of Dakota
Again the question was hotly contested
and again the faithful frienc
deposited with the official his
handful of tickets and again the oficia
shook them apart into his hat, and pro
nounced it fraod, because he wa
overruled and the gentleman alleged t
be resident Of Dakota, was allowed t,
deposit his single ballot.
| Not less than five times did tina
faithful friend deposit . whole handful
Of ballots while the disputatious offici'
shook them out, and with great energ!
asserted that it was . fras0d becaus'
the other objected to his logic.
At last the voting ceased, as every
thing earthly must cease, and the coun
showed forty-nine votes for King dele
gates, and twenty-nine votes for Averil
delegates. 1t was patent that not NOR
, than thirty persons all told had voted
but as no record Of the names had bee
kept they could only look amazed
| which, to do them justice, they did d
. Win tHc cACcPsiOH VI Vic AAisAie
. friend and the official.
The latter looked "child like an
bland" He retired to the saloor
where being called out he said, 9Th;
/ he supposed the Averill men felt like
bware bwacked-a (hic) widar quossin
Ia (hic) the rocky mountains-(hic)
> terribly sore; again thank you," an
!, he closed down on beer keg.
). And this is the grand old Republics
!. party that reforms itself from the i
= side! This is sample Of the primal
). conventions on the frontier! Ho
+ many State and Congressional conve
Is tions are determined by delegates 0
:. tanned in this manneri And yet ,
must stand it. If do not we .
:. told that we will have to pay the reb
ofl war debt, and encounter other inn
l. merable evils. Let us see If we cam
avoid both. At least it is worth t
noblest efforts Of the ablest and pure
: Of patriots; such IS have heretofo
+ kept aloof from politics. observer