The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-02-15
4 PROPOSITLON.

II ThOEOO11zOW.
We have just received the following
interesting communication from friend
in Brown county:
Editor A,sti-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 and last. but not
least, the Grange
FIRST: would suggest that the sub
scribers to the ANTI MoNoPoL1sT (by
permission of Mr.. Donnclly form joint
stock printing company, with shares of
$500 each any member to hold as
many shares as his means and inclina-
ton dictate 4 With the present Ieditor
at the head of such company the
ANTI 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 a 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. I have no faith in mixing the
grange and politics. The more you mix
them the worse tor both. Any farther than
this,-while Republicans. Democrats
!; and Independents are discussing tariffs.
greenbacks, ETC. without party strife, it
is quite apt to soften the feelings of the
two extremes and mako Independents of
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
f other is curse I have seen both tried.
These sentiments may not agree with
the editor OF this paper. For while he
and agree perfectly in politics, | am
l often sorry to see pieces in the paper
against the Grange that seems to me
uncalled for.
, / GRANGER.
i To this we would reply:
e FIRST: We started the ANTI -MONoP.
oL1sr to give the people an organ and q
defender We have performed an i'm.
mense amount of labor with little re-
ward. The same degree of energy
e exerted in behalf of the plnnderers of thu
4 people would have given US half-a-mil
lion. If the farming and laboring mel
of the State will follow the suggestion 0
:. our friendly correspondent we viii
II cheerfully accede to it. If the Stat
e Grange had selected one newspaper, an
. built that paper up, it would have don
o q great deal to strengthen its own cause
70 This il what the Changers OF Iowa hav
II done with the Patrons Helper. 1nstea
~ of that the present Secretary OF the Stat
IN Grange never even subscribed tor sin
10 gle copy of the gANrI- MoNoPoLIsT, bl
III sent all his communications to. th
% Farmers Union, at the very time TIL
or that paper was defending the railrea
ne companies against the farmers
is SECOND: We do not disagree at a
with our correspondent as to the right
m duty Of the Grange in the matter of p
litical discussions. That is the preci
ne doctrine we have preached in these co
= umns. The trouble is,-as our CORE
pondent s2ys,-that there are Oranges,
=, and not lew, aither,-that will not di
"a cuss politics, even on the highest plan
a. This is because they care more for The
w. party than they do for their Grange. II
il not their fault as grangers but as me
~ Either they do not feel that they ha
=. any grievances of which til,
are Justly entitled to complain or Ell
they lack nerve. persistence and capac
=, in defending themselves from oppre
~. sion. They are the slaves OF party. I
80 crack of the party whip welded
- some holder at the county seat,
~ State capitol, is sufficient to silence tn
- growlings; and they tall into toe pa
10 line and move off in douole-quick. |
80 Falstaf's ragged recruits.
~ In this connection let US quote the
n. lowing able letter from one who '
, N until recently q leading Republican of
ut town OF Mortified. Does it not cont
,u,. sufficient reason why grangers sho
-, break loose from all party ties and en-
;nr the ranks Of the Independent party.
90 "For years the Republican party
'e.J been ringing over the country the
ym- Of economy and reform" and only
eve louder when it had most to conc<
There was the ..salary grab" instigs
per. By it, economical president to dot
80. his own salary from $4,000 to $50.
!. to keep Ms liquor. tobacco and Q!
'saon little bills even. The members Of @
'ota. gress refused. to grant the preside