The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-14

down on top of Steb. and the rtss
''PertidiOuS Albion!" shoutd8ythe
Colonel, from inside the box. while
"Our Dan" nailed the lid down with
ten penny nails and a shout Of tri-
umph.
The box was speedily dispatched to
the depot.
.'Now, gentlemen, yuarley
Baker, 1--WE have disposed OF the
county officers and all the editors.
The moral atmosphere Of Dakota
county is already pUrer. Our next
duty IS TO nominate u new ticket. I
propose that we take ballot and that
each man Indicate on his ballot
his first choice for Judge OF Probate.
This proposition was generally ac-
cepted. \ hat Was passed around and
the ballots collected. The tellers re-
ported that there were rs many bal
lots Us there were delegates present,
and that each ballot contained a diff
erent name. Each member of the
convention had roted far himself,
1t was then agreed that, in imita.
ton of an ancient Grecian EXAMPLE.
each man should vote on the same
ballot for first choice and also for a
second choice, and that the one re-
celving, the most votes as second
choice would be the nominee. The
result of this ballot was that John
| ByerS was nominated.
There was no applause. An omi-
nous silence followed. interrupted on
~ by some significant whispering be-
tween John Kennedy, lie Due and
the Chairman. On word from the
latter another box was brought in.
Byers broke for the door: but before
he could reach it dozen of his late
competitors had hold of him and not
outstanding his violent protests he
was soon securely fastened down in
the box.
Charley Baker called for another
ballot. This time "Our Dam was
the second choice. .'Oh Lord! cried
Dan. \ pallor spread over his face,
and. ere the chair had finished an
nouncing the result of the vote. he
rushed for the door; bat finding lie
Due standing guard over it. he bounc-
ed through the window, carrying the
sash with him, and streaked it for the
depot, shedding broken glass as he
ran. He bought ticket for Winona
and took the next train. He did not
get over his terror until the cars had
passed Lake City.
"Ha! Ha cried Charley Baker,
lis that the way the honors of the
Peoples Party are received. Gen
lie Due. be good enough to post
guard at that broken window
This order was promptly obeyed.
Bring in some more boxes Y"
cried Charley.
Now, gentlemen, he continued,
ut IS very evident that we have too
many candidates in proportion to our
membership. would recommend that
the convention proceed to purge itself
OF some of it's superfuous aspirants.
Let the men who are mot fit to hold
office be shipped to BN1gtown!''
4 wild yell greeted lis proposal.
and then followed a Stacking scene.
Every man grabbed his neighbor
and began to drag him to the nearest
box; their struggles were dreadful to
behold; the strongest won; but often
times when one had just deposited
his victim in box. some rival. who
saw in him possible competitor for.
a county office, would seize and push
him in also. Cries, groans. shrieks
and curses filled the air. 4 consider
able part of the convention rushed
for the door; but there a committee.
consisting of lie Due and Charley
Baker, met them armed with clubs and
as a condition of letting them>out, ex-
torted from each man solemn
affidavit that he would never run for
office again in Dakota county. 1t was
pitiful to witness the struggles Of
these poor creatures between their
ambitions and their fears. Their
fears however generally triumphed:
and they affixed their signatures to
the afiidavits with trembling hands.
and then fed away into the darkness,
pursued by nameless terrors.
Still the work of packing away pros
pective candidates continued. amid
IN indescribable uproar: the shrieks
and groans Of the victims in the boxes
mingling with the hurrahs of the rap
Idly diminishing force who were doing
the packing. 1t sounded like me-
nagerie ut feeding time, and smelt
nearly as bad.
the door. occasionally opening it to
permit the express messengers to car
~ out the boxes. Still the work OF
incarceration went on: until at last
not more than half dozen remained
of the whole convention.
Now our time, said lie Due to
| Charley.
They locked the door. and rushed
on the remnant and in few moments
they stood alone in the store. The
convention had disappeared.
"Hurrah for the tea-belt,'' cried
lie Due.
..Hurrah for the Offices cried
Charley.
I'VE want the offices." cried lie
Due, quoting the platform of the peo-
pies party.
NO." said Charley, .sit should read