The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-12
How They Carried Maine.

The Republicans are as much elated
over their success in Maine as if the state
had been hopelessly bourbonic for years.
When it becomes necessary to keep mp
stalwart enthusiasm by shouting over vic
tory in a state where stalwartism in in the
Oscendaucy, it augurs poorly for the Re
publican outlook for success Glorify
while you can, gentlemen, it is innocent
amusement, aud does not affect the result
10 1880 10 the least. The New " rb
Herald, commenting on the election, ma,
the following TO say Of the disgraceful tao
tics OF the Republicans to carry the state
The Herald says:
Not all the votes which were cast fol-
DAVIS were secured from love of the Re
publican cause or admiration of an homes
dollar, or party prejudice or fear OF demo
cratic ascendancy. 1t is shame to be
obliged to record that there was much
bul-dozing of civilized sort" resorted tC
by wealthy firms and rich corporations and
manufacturing establishments upon their
poor employees. Many workmen were dis
charged for avowiDg their purpose to vote
nature can be named to the shame of the
state and our New England civilization
Then the votes of many army and navy
pensioners we're influenced by threats of
the examining surgeons and others that if
they did not vote the Republican ticket
their pensions should be withdrawn. This
disgraceful appliance is thought to have
added materially to the vote for Davis.
The search OF congressional committees for
cases OF bull doing and intimidating voters
would be promptly rewarded by visit to
Maine. 1t would seem that congress
should take some notice of the threats
made to the disabled defenders of the
union, and it is understood that the case
OF one pensioner IN Oxford county who was
Cut off on account Of joining the greenback
party will be presented before congress
early in the next session.
Beyond the arguments on the stump,
distribution of political literature, bull
DOING of employees and United States pen
sioners, the Republicans employed lever
which was more powerful and effective
than all the others combined, viz:-money,
They evidently had large fund and they
expended 1t judiciously and to the best
advantage. 1t was partly raised at home, and
the national committee gave permission TO
the state committee to draw upon it for
as large sun as might be necessary to
buy the State. All the Republican State
and national officials were assessed FIVE per
cent on their salaries, while all the candi-
dates we're mercilessly bled to raise an i'm
mense corruption fund. One OF the mail
route agents on the train from Bangor to
Portland was assessed $42 so on his salary
OF $3.50, and of course he paid it. for he is
still running on the train, and that would
not be possible had he refused. A country
postmaster In one district, with a salary of
$45, was forced to disgorge 50 25 as his
share OF the fund. Votes were bought
in Portland like sheep in the ambles, and
the same was true in other cities and
many of the larger towns 10 the State.
The price paid for votes waived, and was
somewhat smaller than in former years. /
am told that IS, $40, SIS, and $40 we're
paid, aud in some instances $25 and $50
and even as high as $45 were paid for a
single vote in the close districts, The Re,