Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-06
CORRUPTION POLITICS.


cause ne thought it was safe, and int nded
to hold the grain until spring.
CORRUPTION IN POLITICS.
The LaUish Use of Money by the Republi-
cnns-EYhere They Get 1T and Ho1e Then
Use 1.-THE Enemy ire Demo cracy Has
TO Contend gTith.
70 the Editor of the Globe.
The result of this years elections deserves
serious consideration. The Democrats have
elected majority of Representatives in Con-
gress; but an increased popular vote has been
polled III several Northern States, and the
Democratic vote has increased in q less ratio
than the Republican. What is the cause of
this? 1t is the money expended by the Re-
pubilcans to carry the elections. Mr. Hayes
yielded to the pressure of his party, backed
down from his yaunted civil service reform,
publicly sanctioned the collection of money
from all the Office holders for electioueering
uses, and agreed to advance his own money for
that purpose. OF course an inmense sum was
raised from the Office holders. | understand
they were assessed the second time. Another
large sum was raised from the rich men and
the aristocracy of that party. Many of these
individuals subscribe five or ten thousand each,
whenever there is crisis in the affairs of their
party. But the largest sum in my opinion was
raised from the national banks. They have
been frightened by greenbackism and by fear
Of annihilation, which is to be their fate sooner
or later. a considerable amount doubtless was
raised from the manufacturers. True they
are at low ebb of the tide just now; but their
DARING protective tariff is in serious danger.
Lake wolves they have been tapping up blood
for the last fifty sixty years. All this made
an immense sum, probably millions.
In what manner was it expended? OF course
none of it was used in States or Congressional
districts that were considered sure for either
party. 1t was put into doubtful States and
districts This confined its use to a few To-
cahties, and rendered it the more effective
People generally do not appreciate the in
huence OF money in the elections. It is be-
cause they have not properly considered, or
are not properly informed about the mode of
lts use. First efficient electioneerers, of the
opposite politics, are hired to withhold their
efforts at the polls. They vote as usual, but
t excuse themselves from attending the election.
ibis alone has a potent effect. Next, others
are hired to change their votes. Again, others
who cannot be hired to change their votes are
brlbed not to vote. Another and the most
powerful effect, comes from the use of money
to get out the voters. In pretty thoroughly
do not vote. Mere individual efforts to get out
voters is used by both parties, and these about
offset each other; but let one party use money
for this purpose, while the other does not, and
it is easy to see that it gains a wonderful adj
vantage.
1t is plain, that where one party expends
money in all the different modes I have men
toned in considerable sums, it can make a
difference of twenty in the average result of
town. change OF ten (10) votes will make
this difference; or change of five and getting
out ten voters of the party moro than usually
attend election will make it. Such a change
in large States like New York, PennsyIvania.
and Ohio, will make difference of 80 600 to So
600 in the result, and in Congressional dis
trict of -, 600 to Is 900. What money can do has
just been demonstrated in your district. 1t
has probably made difference of 8, 600 in favor
of Washburn.
Tits by these means that the popular vote in
some of the States and districts has apparent
ly favored the Republican party in the recent
elections. The wonder is, that these means
did not accomplish more. The Democracy
must be comparatively much stronger than APP
pears on the surface, or the majority in the
House would have Been changed.
have Away believed that Gen. Grant would
have been defeated in the election of 1872
large as his majority was, had it not been for
the money used in his favor. The amount then
was raised not only from the sources I have
mentioned, but a much larger amount was con-
tributed by the manufacturers then, than now
Many have believed that large amount was
also raised off the whisky ring. Some unex-
planned cause must account for Gen. Grants
strong Partially for the members of that ring
lie thwarted the prosecutions against them gem
orally. He evidently was connected with the
use Of unwarrantable and unfair meanssto pre-
vent the conviction of his private secretary, Of
whose guilt nobody doubts He pardoned
q y!1C p1nra ioto oil
as if he was indebted to that ring for favors Of
some kind. 1t was to promote this election,
that Simon Cameron announced publicly that
ne had visited nearly every school district in
Pennsylvania. This doubtless was true, and
the purpose was to expend money in the cleo
ton. He intended to have his statement SO
understood. He has inaugurated more corrup-
ton IN this country, than any other man.
Pennsylvania has been the theatre of his eff
forts, and fear has become hopelessly cor
rupted.
1t is bad commentary on the intelligence
and integrity of the people of this country, to-
day, that money is openly and publicly raised
to be expended in our elections This is evidence
that the people have become corrupted. We
do not attach sufficient Importance to this
grave fact. It portends the downfall of the
republic. The use Of money to influence cleo
tons should be made crime, even though
unaccompanied with bribery. The corruption
49, A-No'So " eiIS PSOPtO S"stoOA oiAS OCdGl VI
the Roman republic. 1t was vigorous and
showed no signs of decay, before the days of
corruption. Great efforts were made by its
true friends to eradicate corruption and bri-
berry. Various legal and highly penal enact
ments were from time to time adopted to this
end. They were as often repealed or disre-
garded. They were not effective. They never
can be, when the people are corrupted in any
considerable degree Then it is too late to ap-
ply g remedy. have sometimes thought that
the people of this country have already reach
ed this dangerous stage of existence.
: 1t IS easy to see that hereafter the Democracy
must meet in the elections the great monopolies
OF the country, their members, their hirelings.
their defendants, and II ore than all their
money. There are no great monopolies in the
interest OF the Democracy. They must fight it
out single handed, and must rely upon the
right alone. These facts should be fully known
now. ITO be forewarned is to be forearmed. 2
The Democracy must buckle on their armor.
1t is to be a contest for years. desire not to
have it put off upon posterity; but want the
night to come off in my day. JACKSON.
Dec. 2, 1873.
Monday Morning, December Cd, Ezra
scorch, one of the Oldest and most highly
respected citizens of Racine died suddenly
at his residence, of appoplexy. He was one
OF the most popular men in the city. and