The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-17
The -Anti-AIonopolist.


ent. the companies giving their most
never have to pay them.
A portion of the bonds were Selah
Chamberlain's, who, in common with |
others, solemnly promised that the state |
should never have to pay them; that he |
would stand between the state and all
harm-that the people should never be
taxed.
The newspapers that were the organs
of the companies, also the stump orators
that were hired and sent out ali over the
country, all proclaimed to the people
that if they approved the amendment
sanctioning the Issue OF the bonds, they
the bonds were not estate bonds" in the
sense in which other bonds were so con-
sidered; that the fear of ever having
either interest or principle to pay on
them was the merest chimera. These
were the conditions on which an atfir1na
tive vote was obtained.
There were some persons then who
had been in the territory (tor it was not
state when the vote was taken)a good
~ number Of years, who had come to
make their homes, and had come to stay.
They were not the spectators in town
sites, corner lots, wild lands or rail
road stocks.
They had something tangible to be
taxed for then, and they earnestly pro-
tested but in vain. They gathered in
| their thinly settled precincts, guided by
prescience, and true sense OF self-pres-
ervation, and voted nc! The election
was carried by false and wicked misrep-
the aid OF what little money there was
eft in the country, the owners OF it sup
pc sing that that was the most profitable
way to invest it.
The City of ST. Paul cast many more
votes than there were males in the City
over u years OF age. SO OF st. AnthO-
ny. No one was arrested ON that day
Tor fraudulent voting. Some men voted
y times, while others were prevented
from voting at all. who were opposed to
the measure. Many OF the voters were
transient persons who were in the coun-
try prospecting, and who never came to
settle; some were merely travellers,
whose names were only registered al the
hotels. Some were Indians. who after
wards murdered innocent women and
children on the then frontier, and are
now howilng, almost breechless, around
the Black Hills. The little handful OF
honest yeomanry that had come to stay
were overborne. 1t was with sorrow
that they learned the result of the pre-
tended election They felt in their con-
sciences that the companies would de-
fault and 90 back on their promises, and
claim pay from the state Tor bonds they
had promised TO pay themselves. The
new governor had Witnessed the farce
with sorrow, and refused to issue the
bonds
| The INSCRIPTIONS concoctors OF the
scheme were desperate, and procuring a
writ OF mandamus, compelled him,
against his will, to issue them. An at
tempt was made to get up market val
ne. One bond was bought by New
York City NAH at SO l2 cents, with
money furnished him by party owning
the bond; but | repeat again, they never
were fairly on the money market-never
had a market value. All parties had
notice that they were considered iraudu-
lent. They were trafhcked Off AZ II
To % cents on the dollar.
Mr.. Chamberlain could not sell his to
advantage, and SO he kept them. 1t is
said by competent engineers that the
work for which ne took them was no,
worth over % or 80 cents on the dollar.
As sensible people supposed, the COM
panes deauted-
Gov Ramsey went through the farce
of selling the roads, lands and iranchis-
G, OF the defaulting companies. includ-
ing Selah Chamberlain's but il was inn
mediately given back, and in many in
stauces t. the same parties. MIR. Cnam.
berlan got his back. One day he con
| siders the bonds his own issue, and
promises the people that they shall
never be required TO pay them-,he state
was only endorsing his paper, which he
had agreed TO meet-but on another day
with all the lands and franchises re
les.se d from obligations As security 10 the
people. turns around and demands pay
: ard calls the IN the bonds OF the state O
Minnesota Now it Mr.. Chamberlain
will give back the original security
road. lands and franchises. then recon-
mend that the state liquidate his bonds
II a respectable mans note had been ob
tanned BY such means aud representa-.
tons as those bonds were obtained, ev
cry good nan would advise him not Il
pay. BY 80 refusing he would not for
, lett his s,andin. in his church. Ii
,, defending the state from unjust exact
, ions do not advocate injustice TO 9th
= ers.
. There were lew persons. it is ru
, nlored. duped into nuying few bond;
a. over fifty cents on dollar Common
charity should induce Us TO pity them
= Those who iunocently pad II to25 cent
: on the dollar, on discrediied bonds
| should have AS much as they paid. wit!
= such interest as NAV seem equitable be
: tween those who pay and those VII
Z receive There are certain lands. 0
| avails O.. such, that have once bee
offered TO hondholders, but not accepie
/ by them These lands or avails si.l
{ remain The property Of the state. not