The anti-monopolist., 1877-02-15

Editor A,,ta-Monopolist
would beg leave to weary the pa,
tience of yourself and readers by few
thoughts from one who is Interested in
the welfare of the Independent party,
the ANTI I-MONOPOLIsT, and last. but not
least, the Grange.
FIRST: would suggest that the sub
scribers to the ANTI-MONOPOLIsT (by
permission of Mr.. Donnclly, form joint
stock printing company, with shares of
S., 90 each; any member to hold as
many shares as his means and inclina-
ton dictate ] With the present )editor
at the head of such a company the
ANTI-MONOPOLIsT can take the lead as
the best newspaper in the State, as it is
already the best political paper. If it
can be built up to the capacity Of the
New York Tribune or Sun for news, it
would be q great aid to the Independent
party.
Subscribers one and all let us hear
from you on this; and Mr.. Editor
when you begin to take in shareholders
please put my name down tor one share.
That is the full extent of my means at
present, but not of my disposition.
SECOND: Now for the Grange part of
this story. have no faith in mixing the
grange and politics. The more you mix
them the worse for both. Any farther than
this,-while Republicans. Democrats
and Independents are discussing tariffs.
greenbacks, etc without party strife,s it
is quite apt to soften the feelings of the
two extremes and mako Independents Of
both. But am soory to say there are
Oranges that don't debate these ques-
or any other They can never prosper.
The Grange is just the place to discuss
political questions but not party politics.
The one is beneficial to the Grange ; the
other is curse. have seen both tried.
These sentiments may not agree with
the editor OF this paper. For while he
and agree perfectly in politics, l am
often sorry to see pieces in the paper
against the. Grange that seems 10 me
uncalled for.
/ GRANGER.
To this we would reply:
FIRST: We started the ANTI -MONoP-
oL1sr to give the people an organ and a
defender. We have performed an inn
mense amount of labor with little re-
ward. The same degree of energy
exerted in behalf of the plnnderers of the
people would have given US half-a-mil
lion. If the farming and laboring mer
Of the State will follow the suggestion 0
our friendly correspondent we will
cheerfully accede to it. If the STATE
Grange had selected one newspaper ANT
built that paper up, it would have dom
q great deal to strengthen its own cause
J This 10 what the Grangers OF Iowa hav
) done with the Patrons Helper. Instea,
of that the present Secretary OF the Stat
Grange never even subscribed for a sin
gle copy of the EANTI-MoNoPoLIsT. br
sent all his communications to. tn
Farmers Union, at the very time thu
that paper was defending the railrea
. companies against the farmers
SECOND: We do not disagree at al
with our correspondent as to the right (
, duty of the Grange in the matter of ps
litical discussions. That is the preci;
3 doctrine we have preached in these co
umns. The trouble is,-as our CORE
pondent says,-that there are Granges,-
!, and not q lew, either, that will not di
4 cuss politics, even on the highest plan
: This is because they care moro for the
: party than they do for their Grange. Tt
il not their fault as grangers but as me-
Either they do not feel that they ha
= any grievances of which The
:. are Justly entitled to complain ; or ell
- they lack nerve. persistence and capaci
in defending themselves from oppre
j. sion. They are the slaves OF party. 7
: crack of the party whip welded
= some ofice-holder at the county seat,
4 State capitol, is sufficient to silence th
; growlings; and they tall into the pal
line and move off in q double-quick. Ii
:. Falsta1rs ragged recruits
a In this connection let US quote the I
/. lowing able letter from one who v
IN until recently . leading Republican Of
- town OF Northfeld. Does it not cont
=. sufficient reason why grangers shot
:, break loose from all party ties and en-
!. the ranks Of the Independent party.
% "For years the Republican party
- been ringing over the country the
m Of economy and reform" and only
70 louder when it had most to conce
There was the salary grab," instiga
or. by its economical president to dou
. :. his own salary from 425.O0O 70 $50,
to keep Ms liquor, tobacco and 0t
ION little bills even. The members Of g
II. gress refused. to grant the preside