Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-10-29


every Grange a distrust OF kerub-
Leans and their nominees; and
would have each Grange blinded,
not only to the real purposes and
policy of our party, but to the Re-
formers own record on this very
subject.
Behold that record! and let the
people read and ponder it for them
selves. Here it is. and mark it well.
In Congress, Feb. 8, 1874, J. q.
Smith, Republican member from
Ohio, moved, in the House, the
adoption of the following resolution:
Resolced, "That in the judgment
of this House, it is within the con-
stitutional power of Congress, by
law, so to regulate commerce among
these States as to protect that por-
ton of our internal commerce which
is among the several States, FROM
ALL UNJUST OR OPPRESSIVE TOLLS,
TAXATIoNs, INSTRUCTIONS OR OTHER
BURDENS, whether imposed by rail
road companies or by combinations
thereof, or by other common car
riers, when engaged as the instru-
ment of such portion of the COM
merce of the people; that the pres
ent condition and magnitude of the
commerce among the States are such
as to demand THE PROMPT AND WISE
EXERCISE of the power and duty
declared in this resolution"
Now, in this resolution, in which
every Grange and Patron of Hus-
bandry in the United States was in
terested, all the Retormers voted
NAY! except Is. FIFTY-FoUR Re-
formers voted nay. But every Re-
publican voted yea, except 10. 159
Republicans voted yea. That is,
the Reformers as a party, who now
demand suflrages us the especial
friends of Changers, voted against
a Resolution, in Congress, prelim-
mary to Legislation to prevent ex-
tortion or oppression in transporta-
ton. But the Republican party
voted almost solidly in favor of said
resolution.
This is not all. Mr.. McCrary, of
Iowa, Republican, reported to the
House, Jan. 20, 1874, Bill to regu-
late commerce by railroad among
the several States.
This Bill appointed commission
ers, prohibited, on freights, both I'M
just discrimination and extortion.
Yet, no longer ago than March 26,
1874, every Reformer except 5 voted
against said -RW,-73 Retormers 90
ted agaiast! Bat, 1l6 Republicans
voted for the Bill, and secured its
passage. The Republicans passed
the Bill against almost the solid Re-
formers strength
Thus, then, in Congress at its last
session, on two test occasions, on
this indentical question, the Refor-
mers fought Grangres and the peo-
pie; while Republicans, true to JUS
tice and liberty, in spite of said OPP
position, won another victory for
equitable priciple.
POSITION OF REF0RMERS IN THIS
DISTRICT.
On Sept. %, 1874, at Boscobel,
was held the ''Reform Compression
al Convention" Mark the call and
proceedings named it the reform"
convention; not the Democratic
convention. The word Democrat
seemingly odious to Reformers was
not allowed in either the cal or in
the official proceedings as published.
Furthermore, it appears that no
gentleman, however able and de-
serving, who had ever been or was
Democrat found one "ghost of
a chance" for nomination in that
convention. No, they were Re
formers, and their first labor seem
ingly was to find and nominate
gentleman who until recently had
been not a Democrat but a Repub-
lican.
And now wonderful to know this
convention in its published pro-
ceedings--in any part of their plat
form-what declare they on this
question of interstate commerce or
of the power and duty of Congress
thereon! What say they shall be
the future policy and purposes of
Reformers or this subject! What
demands do they make as to the ac-
ton of the National Government on
this vital issue! How do they re-
pudiate the course Of their party in
Congress in almost solidly opposing