Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-03

THE TRUE OBJECT OF THE CONTEST.
+ The Republican papers endeavor to con-
vey the impression that the contest for
Washburn's seat is a mere question whether
it shall be held by Washburn or Donnelly.
It is perhaps natural that this view should
be taken in that quarter, but we are sur
prised that SO intelligent a Democratic jour-
into the same train.
Though Donnelly and Washburn are the
agencies used, the real contest is for Free,
honest, untrammeled ballot. The corrup-
tior in this district was shameless and noto-
rious. 1t began months before the nomina-
ton and extended to the election. Republicans
and Democrats were bought and sold like
sheep in the SHAMELESS. There is no con-
cealment of this fact among Republicans.
Ihe lowest estimate which we'll informed
Republicans place upon Mr.. Washburn's ex-
penditure is twenty-five thousand dollars,
and many Republicans declare that it ex-
ceeded thirty thousand dollars. Every one
understands that there was no legitimate ex-
penditure of any such sum.
In addition to absolute bribery and pur-
chase, there we're the most glaring frauds
perpetrated in colonizing men from Wiscon-
sin, Dakota, and also from the Second Dis
trict. There were the infamous frauds
in Kittson county where 1873 votes
we're returned for Washburn, and two
for Donnelly, not one of which were legal.
Railroad men, half breeds and Canadians
were voted, the election being held in box
car on the track, and the polls moved about
at will. If it had been necessary, 500 votes
would have been returned instead of 1873.
In fact, there is no limit to this unblushing
rascality and never will be until some OK.
ample is made of the perpetrators.
For, at least, the second time the
nomination and election in this district
has been secured by the shameless
means we have indica ted. If this is al
lowed to continue unrebuked, it will
always be done, and it will be the utmost
farce for the Democrats to attempt cam
paign for any one. They may put forth all
the honest efforts possible, they may convert
men by the thousand, but when the returns
come in they will find the record against
them regardless of the vote. Mr.. Donnelly
is rendering public service by making 8
contest which will expose and break up these
iniquities. He is justly entitled to the seat
Whether MI. Donnelly is liked personally, OF
politically. all honest men, of whatever DO.
liticaI faith should rejoice to see Washburn
unseated and disgraced. In no other way
can the rotten system which he relies on TO,
political renown be rebuked.
1t Is not necessary to prove three thou.
sand individual illegal votes to unseat Wash
burn. "Fraud vitiates the contract" and
that can be proven overwhelmingly. Those
who imagine that there is something strange
or peculiar in this contest are mistaken
There is an almost exactly similar contest
in Pennsylvania, and in New York contest
is being made on the ground that man
bought his nomination, though he is MOI
charged with the improper use of money il
| securing the election. It is claimed that
| man can be unseated for bribery in thu
nominating convention, as we'll as at thu
polls. If this rule was applied to Wash
burn, how long does any one suppose he
could hold his seat? If the people of thi,
district tamely submit to such outrages a.
the recent election showed were perpetratei
on the ballot box, it is a farce to attemp
any more elections. There ia every reason
| why Mr.. Washburn should be exposed, dis
graced and driven into private life.