The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-01-25

w lxO1A4l ANOs AOOs
ding from the defenceless wife and
children!
All this to satisfy debts contracted in
violation of the laws Of this State, by
exacting interest on obligations from
to 6 pei, cent. per month.
Ii is in VAIN that we have en.reated
them to consider our situation, by our
great loss. They only mock at our ca
lamity and laugh at cllr distreas.
Ii would miugate our extremity some
what, If property taken from as and sold
brought anything near its yalue. But
such is not tho case. 1t is cold for lust
what our remorseless creditors chose to
give.
What think you, Governor, Of selling
horses Tor one dollar; cows tor ten doll
lars; y good yoke Of oxen for twenty
Eve dollars; and threshing machines for
three dollars. Is robbery more hor-
rib1ep
Will this great Commonwealth con-
sent to sit idly BY and see its iairest por~
| tons depopulatedfb by such q SYSTEM of
oppression, to satisty the greed Of a few
heartless beings pho call themselves
mene
Does Turkish oppression or White
League cruelty exceed the like of thisp
Is there no remedy for this state ofthingsp
| III aot, then this once fertile land must
revert to its primitive condition,
| Ifno helping hand is given, thousands
of acres Of tillable land must remain
unseeded the coming year. We there
4 f>rr 4ho Ecrn ~ foatn fCr yynnr
consideration, Justly believing that, for
the good name Of the State and the well
fare of the people, justice will be meted
out.
| [We omit the 175 names appended.
We learn from Hon Y Joseph Capserof
Sauk Centre, ex-senator from Stearns
county. and a very reliable gentleman,
that the miscreant) who has wrought
all this wrong and ruin is one A. j..
SMITH
i Mr.. Capser tells us that In some cases
he has extorted from parties, who were
| in his power, as high az taOenty .JfUe per
cent per nsonth!!! He has q large yard
in Sauk Center full Of ploughs, reapers,
threshing machines, Cattle, horses, fur
I nitnre ETC., which he buys and sells as
] in the above petition. Where notice Of
! the sale is required he posts his notices
after dark and they mysteriously disap-
} pear before morning!.s
i Nothing could testify more strikingly
4 to the patience, forbearance and respect
: for law of the people Of Stearns county
0 than the fact that A. j. SMITH yet lives.
! He deserves death a thousand times
. more than the Youngers, for they fought
i an open and manly duel with society,
b but this sneak thief robs under color OF
9 law.
: We have introduced the following bill.
!, II it passes it will put stop to the
: rascalitics OF A. j. SMITH and his kid
J, ney. A few strong petitions to the Leg
y islature would help counieract the
st influence OF the A. J.. SMITHS who
will undoubtedly be present to lobby
against the bill.
Section !. No person, company or corpora.
ton SHALL directly or indirectly take or receive
in money, goods or things In action or in any
U other way, greater sum.or any greater value
% for the loan or forbearance of money. goods d
things in action than twelve dollars Oh ons
3, hundred dollars one year; and In the cOmpu.
re tation OF interest upon any bond, note or othe
instrument or agreement, interest shall not b.
ne compounded, nor shall the interest thereon
st be continued to bear interest.
= Sec. 2. Every person who for any such LOAF
lie or forbearance, shall have paid or delivered
40 any greater sum or value than is above all0wet
to b. received, may by himself, or persona
~ representative, recover In action against th
he person who shall have taken or received th
same, or his personal representative, treble ID
40 amount Of money 80 paid or value delivered
above the ratio aforesaid III such action shall b
brought within three years after such payrnen
Sec. :. All bonds, bills, rates, assurance.
: conveyances, chattsl mortgages, and al othe
contracts or securities whatsoever, and al de
posts Of goods; or anything whatsoever, where
ln- upon or whereby there shall be reserved, se
- cured or taken any greater sum Or value fo
- the loan or forbearAnce Of any money, goods 9
ng things in action, than Is above prescribed, ,sha
sss be void, whether the sum or value 80 secured
q receivedor taken, shall appear in or from sue
- bond, bill, note, assurance, conveyance, {
". contract or otherwise.
Sec. =. Every person, company, Or corpt
on ration. offending against tlle provisions Of III
to act shall be compelled TO answer on oath, aIl
on complaint that may be exhibited or filed again
J him, in the district court, for the proper conn
=" ", for the discovery of any sum Of none,
M goods, or things in action s0taken, acCeptet
lie Or received, in violation Of any Of the foreg'
we ing provisions.
nd Sec. 5. Whenever in any action IN any c0uf
the defendant shall plead Or answer the delsn.
20 usurv, either party TO the action may be vi
q. ness III his own behalf on the trial except ]
s. action in which tho opposite party sues Or q