The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-10-17
WkSHBURN'S BLACKMAIL .
Me Makes A Levy on A Postmaster who Ex-
corates Him.

From the Melrose Record
Two weeks ago we received a letter
from G. W. Johnson, secretary of the
Republican committee. Mimi apolis
asking for copy each week of the
Record till the 9th of November, fol-
which he would remit the amount OF
subscription on receiving bill. We
sent the paper, but instead of a bill
merely pointed 70 to our rates. The
next week instead of remittance we
were modestly asked by the said
johnson to subscribe at least $40 to I,
fund for the purpose of securing a
Republican majority for Washburn
and argued that it was the duty OF
Republicans to do what they could tu
obviate the dire calamities that would
befal the country in case of Demo
cratic victory. Now we are not in
favor of using money to secure the
election Of any man to congress, and
would suggest that if Washburn can
not be elected without the spending
Of such large amount as $40 from
each Republican in the district. he
would better stay at home; for it is
evident the people do not want him to
represent them or they would vote
for him without the incentive of
money. Our own individual prefer.
ence is for the man is, and always has
been, the friend of the laboring man,
and opposed to the one who found it
convenient to pay his laborers at the
rate Of 40 cents on the dollar.
There are indeed many reasons why
the people of these United States
should demand change in the ad.
ADMINISTRATION of officers. And it is
not very difficult for man who is
not wrapped up in party and prejudice
against all others, not to see many
good and sensible planks in other
party platforms. While the Republ-
can party has accomplished very much
good for the country, and no doubt
comes nearer being perfect than any
other, it is far from being perfect,
and the complete control i, has of he
administration of affairs, the appoint
ment of federal officers, etc., has be.
come corrupt, as witness the attempt
to carry an election in our own fair
State by the use of money. Nor do
we think Democratic or National
victory any calamity at all. 1t would
be the means of purging the Republic
can party of much that is offensive to
the people at the present time, and
might strengthen it for the next
presidential campaign. And unless
it is puryed of corruption it would be
better to suffer defeat. In the present
canvass there will be three candidates
for Congress. Let the people judge
for themselves which would be the
most likely to support measures that
would aid the poor man to live and
educate his family, and vote for him
no matter what party has brought
him out. The people are too much
controlled by party-afraid of being
Stigmatized as turn coatS--tO e. ercise
their own judgment and vote for a
man ofanother party, even when their
conviction is that he is the best man.
Happily. this state of things has
nearly run it's course so hat it will
not be always said, when party Is
largely in the ascendancy, that a
nomination is rs good rs an election.
The people should rule, but they can
not rs long as tricksters ca" buy
themselves positions of honor and
trust. Measures, not mem should
be the peoples motto, and they must
exercise their own good Judgment
what measures are most likely t,
ameliorate the depressed condition
an1 elevate labor to its proper position
in the nation.