Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-19

A few years ago, q commendable interest
was manifested in this matter, new roads
were opened, old highways were extended
and improved, and bridges, culverts and
crossings were repaired, the merchants and
others did all in their power, to put the
thoroughfares leading into the village in fit
condition for travel, and there is no ques
ton but they were amply repaid for time,
trouble and expense. The growth and
development of our county. and the settle
ment of the lands, has disaranged the old
system of roads, and We are now compell-
ed to almost begin anew. The Increased
trade, demands greater facilities, better
and more direct routes, and if we are to
control, and increase our present trade. we
must be up to moving, for the farmers are
not coming here, when they can go else
where with greater ease, safety and deS-
patch. The only feasible plan of obtaining
concerted and united action, is to keep up
the organization of our Board of Trade, this
this will bring the business men together
and be productive of much good, for there
can be no question, but that when the Sc
rious and deplorable conditions of the roads,
is brought to the notice of our people they
will take prompt and decisive action, with
q view to the protection and advancement
of their business interests.
The announcement that it is the intention
of the sub b-committee of the house com
mittce on elections to report in favor of
unseating Washburn, is followed by the
assertion that they are also in favor of
seating Donnelly. We can readily believe
that Washburn should lose his seat, and
think that this would be just finding, but
we cannot imagine how the unseating of
Washburn would seat Donnelly, unless,
the will of the people was reversed by
wholesale bribery and intimidation. Ever
siuce the "strumpet of corruption strobe
in naked horror" through the Third Dis
trict, the political air has been tainted and
polluted, and nothing less than powerful
deodorizer will render it pure and sweet.
| But we do not think the unseating of
Washburn and seating of Donnclly would
have wholesome effect, it would be stig-
matized rs gross outrage, and the demo
Gratis would be charged with attempting to
gain votes in the House, in event of theil
not being an election of Il president by the
people. The lesson would be lost, it would
| rnn1ar tho lnnc q lif ft1e
less bold, but it would not check their in.
| famous schemes, the atmosphere would
appear more pure, but the deadly poisonous
miasma and putrefaction would be conceal.
ed not era0icated. Ii in one single instance
/ bribery was proven, then by all means pun
ish and disgrace the briber, but if there il
to be a stigma put upon the reprehensible
and criminal practices of the politicians
don't make "a martyr of the culprit, for
once this be done the effect will be the re
verse of the intention. On the other hand
nothing would be gained by simply unseat
ing Washburn and ordering new election
for even if he be guilty, the whole machi
merry of the party would be put in motion
to secure his re election at all hazards, a!
we'll for the party purposes in the event ;
close vote on the presidential election, al
for the purpose of making it appear tha
he was unjustly and wrongly dealt with by
a partisan house. However the case is de
cidcd no possible good can be accomplish
ed unless the House in unseating Wash
burn, not only order a new election, bu
bar his candidacy by disfranchisement. !
Donnelly is seated, this district will be th
gamer, as of the two he is by far the abler
and being in sympathy with the majority
bills presented by him would be acted up
on more promptly and more likely to b.
passed.