The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-08-27
AN OJrrR AEEOUS ATTEMPT TO
FORESrAA, PUBLIC OPINION.

1t has been run fOreO, IOr some tlme
pat, that terribA, exposure was i'm
pending, Of the Repu>' lican Administra-
ton Of the Office of Sta te Auditor and
Land Commissioner, duling Mr.. Nc
Ilrath' 8 term of office.
The leading spirit in effe citing that
exposure has been Hon. J. l. Melon
aid Of Shakopee, chairman OF the
committee appointed by the State Sen
ate last winter; his colleagues upon the
committee being Gen. Hubbard Of Red
Wing and Hon. VIM. McKusick of Still
water; both Republicans, of a mild
type, but honorable gentlemen who do
not believe that party fidelity implies
the defence Of public robbery. The
committee are about to make their re-
port, and common rumor has it that it
will develop state Of facts which will
cast the Seeger and Munich frauds COM
pletely in the shade. It is whispered
that during Mr.. McIlrath's administra-
ton the school fund has lost a large
sum, by some estimated as high as q
quarter Of = million dollars.
The St. Paul Press is at last alarmed
and so, on the 2lst; it comes out in a
savage attack on Judge Mcdonald; the
evident purpose Of which is to drive
him into modifying his report. It at.
tacks the Judges character and threat
ened him with terrible retaliation and
revenge, if he persists in exposing Nc
Ilrath. Its ferocious diatribe concludes
as follows:
Gle proposes to make his report not to
the Legislature, but to the next Democratic
Anti Monopoly, or-what dye call 'em-
astounding developments of Republican cor
ruptions, which he has coDtrived in his
capacity as an investigator; and as chief en-
gineer Of the sappers and miners who have
dug the mine and laid the train that is to
blow the Republican party into forty thou
sand fragments, Jack expects to be immedi-
ately promoted by the delighted Democracy
to Congress. When Jack explodes his mine
there is an extreme probability that another
mine of corruption will be exploded, which
will elevate Jack in different direction from
that marked out by his ambition"
That is to say, if member Of
the Legislature, sworn to do his
duty, is appointed to investi-
gate the misdeeds Of public Of
fetal, who has, it is alleged, defrauded
the people out of hundreds Of thousands
of dollars; and he endeavors to fear
lessly perform the duties assigned him,
and honestly serve the people Of the
State. he is to be attacked with blud-
geons and blunderbusses and murdered.
This is the usual programme Of these
rogues If you prove that a Ring has
stolen !. million dollars from the people
they reply by trying to show that YOU
stole chicken
Charles McIlrath is now on trial, not
John L. Mcdonald. When Judge Me
Donald's turn comes to be investig ated
If it ever does comet will be time
enough to prove his shortcomings. if he
has any. Suppose all the intimations
OF the Press against him were true
which We do not believe for one instant,
will that clear McIlrath Will that
give back to the people the money they
have lost?
What, then, is the meaning Of such
attacks Simply this A mob of scoun-
drels have got possession Of the State
Treasury and are plundcri-g the peo-
pie. As long as you leave them alone, or
connive at their rascality, you are a
gentleman and scholar and they will
cover you all over with then poisonoas
SLAYER of praise. But if you Mare to be
honest; if you dare to interfere with
their robberies; if you dare, as a sworn
officer of the people, to tell the whole
truth and nothing but the truth, then
you must perish; you must be drowned
in food Of inconsequential Islander
you must be torn to pieces by the
thieves.
What horrible state of things is
this? The Ring say to Mcdonald, mod.
ify your report, secrete what you know
whitewash McIlrath, and let the rob.
berries proceed, or you are dead man.
We say to Judge Mcdonald, stand
firm. The people will not desert the
man who serves them. Let justice b
done though the heavens fall.
And the Press thinks that Judge
Mcdonald has done his duty in the
hope of promotion to Office. What
thens Is not that better way to wiz
Office than to win it like King and Aver
i'll, by subsidising newspapers and buy
ing up saloons! It will indeed be re
turn to the better days Of the Republic
when the candidate can say to the PEG
| ple-my sole claim is that have triee
to serve you faithfully.
We are not an advocate Of Judg'
McDonald's nomination for Congress
but we shall be prompt to defend him
at all times, against such assaults.
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