Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-11-15
PIETRO.
THE USE OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS
ROOMS OF THE REPUBLICAN STATE

THE USE OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS
ROOMS OF THE REPUBLICAN STATE
COMMITTEE. Madison, Nov 8, 1877,
1t has been repeatedly asserted,
during the recent canvass, by the
opposition, that the Republicans
were using large amounts of money
to influence the voters of the State.
Among other statements it was de-
clared that the National Bankers
Association alone contributed $10,-
900. Similar allegations are made
since the election. Thus the Mil
waukee Ne,0s says the experience
the people of Wisconsin have just
gone through with twill convince
them, more then ever, of the poten-
cy of money in carrying on a sue
cessful campaign" 1t says that up
to two weeks before election the Re-
publicans were disheartened and
panic stricken; that asudden change
followed which was due to "the
stimulus of plenty of honest money,
contributed by the moneyed men
East and West )" that while my
predecessor was supplied with mon.
money by the whiskey ring, l have
been furnished by the NationxI
Banks and capitalists and it goes
on to charge that the voters of Mil
waukee were bought up with mon
ey.
The lesson which the Ne,oS ap-
pears to wish to convey seems to be
that hereafter the Democratic party
must raise large sums and purchase
success.
As regard the use of large sums
of money to carry elections, or the
use of any money except for strictly
legitimate purposes, such as print
ing documents, postage, expenses OF
meetings, &C., as not only extremely
demoraliziDg, but wholly unnecess-
airy for the furtherance ofany just
cause, it seems to me opportune to
make frank statement regarding
the expenses of this committee dur
ing the recent canvass which has
resulted in such signal success.
At the beginning of the canvass,
this committee appointed Mr.. Il. S.
Hanks, cashier uf the State Bank of
Madison-not National Bsnk-to
be its treasurer. Mr.. Hanks is a
repu blican, but is strictly business
man. l bad never heard of his med
ding with politics except to vote.
Every dollar of money contributed
to the campaign fund was paid in
to him, and all expenditures passed
through his hands. He has the
name of every contributor, and he
knows the purposes for which all
funds were expended. Not dollar
was contributed from outside of
Wisconsin. With single oxcep-
ton, not dollar was contributed
by any person connected with Ma
tional Bank, and that exception
amounting to only $50, was from q
gentleman who was a prominent and
active republican long before be had
anything to do with banks, and
whose connection with bank, is q
very uncomfortable feature of his
business. Not q dollar has been
spent of the campaign fund but for
purposes that | should be perfectly
willing to avow to any democrat in
the State. Further, the whole
amount expended will fall conSidera-
bly betow $4,000.
SO much for this charge of carry
ing Wisconsin by the potency of
money.
No, the Republicans did not win
their victory with money. They
achieved it by daring to be true
to their conviction, and by planting
themselves upon the solid ground of
principle. The defenses and the arts
they employed were like those of
the hero, described by an old poet :.
"Whose armor was his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill"
While upon this subject, [ feel it
is but justice to say few words in
regard to Mr.. L. M. Nichol, of Kan
sas, who rendered US such conspicu-
Gus services in the cause of an hon.
est currency during the late canvass.
He has constantly been represented
by the opposition press either as
tramp or a mercenary, sent out at
the expense of the national banks.
| first heard of Mr.. Nichol from the
Hon. r. I'll. Baker, of Racine, who,
shortly after our convention, was In
this city. | had spoken of the im-
portance OF the currency question,
and of what | regarded as the very
pernicious theories which Gen. Cary
and others were disseminating in
this State. Mr.. Baker then said Gen.
Cary had been at Racine and that
Mr.. Nichol of Kansas, who bad some
business with the firm of j. |. Case
&,Co., of Racine, after hearing Cary,
hired hall at his own expense and
answered him, as Mr.. B. thought,
very effectually the next evening.
/ Immediately said to Mr.. Baker, if
Mr.. Nichol is. the man you represent
him to be, we want him on the
stump in this canvass. Can we get
him Mr.. Baker did not know, but
said he would soc him. The result
was that Mr.: Nichol came to this
city, spoke here in the assembly
chamber, and consented to take an
active part in the canvass. | men,
ton these particulars az evidence
that no one sent Mr.. Nichol into the
State, and that he, 10 no manner,
suggested his own employment. /
will say further that | have met no
one who impressed me as being act
uated by more disinterested desire
to know and utter the truth on the
subjects he discusses than Mr.. Mich,
oil. He demanded nothing for his
services, and | think that although
heis not man of property ,he would
have been willing to haye given lis
time and paid his own expenses rath.
or than to have seen Wisconsin give
a maj GRITTY for the party of soft mon
ev. His speeches were lucid and
convincing arguments, accurate
as to facts and sound as to nrinc,.