Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-26

ness interests. The selection should be
made with view to their qualification,
character and fitness for the position.
This may not be an easy task, for many of
our citizens may for various reasons de-
cline to serve and object to being candi-
dates, but while this may, we hope it will
not be the case, as we consider it is the
duty of every citizen if qualified, to serve
in any position to which he may be called.
The great trouble is and has been, that the
business men, those largely interested in
the progress and growth of the village,
whose interests are identified with its pros
perity and advancement, always draw back
and decline to take an active part in the
administration of the affairs of the village,
and let their interests go by default, as it
were, instead of devoting portion OF their
time, and exerting their influence, to either
have a voice in the management Of the vii.
lage affairs, or to see that the positions are
properly and acceptably filled. If we are
to have our interests managed in fair,
sensible and business like manner, we must
have men of some sense, judgement, expe-
rience and integrity at the head of our vii
lage government, and business men, prop
erty owners and others, interested in the
proper and successful administration of
our affairs, are most assuredly the parties
who should govern and control that, which
in reality, is to u greater or less degree
identified with their personal interests.
The Donnelly Washburn contest is the
all absorbing topic at present, and the com
ments of the press are so biased, so eX-
tremely partisan that it is plain to any one,
that the principle involved in the final de-
cision is not given q moments considera-
ton. The sum and substance of the
mighty volume of scathing and bitter Ian
guage, with which the organs Of both par
ties assail each other, may be briefly sum
med up as follows. Mr.. Republican says
to Mr.. Democrat, your u thief and ras-
cal," and Mr.. D. retorts, your just the
same and little more so, and we can
prove it," This highly edifying, very in
structive and entertaining dialogue is car
ried on by the same papers that one short
month ago, were condemning, denouncing
and censuring the disreputable skulduggery
of the politician. and depicting the awful
result which would most certainly follow,
unless there was reform" But it makes a
wonderful difference "whose OK is gored."
The organ that was loudest in its denuncia
ton of the disreputable tricks and trickcry
of politics and politicians is now hushed
and silent. Why: because it is proven
that the tricks and tricksters are in its own
party. The organ that was in the front
rank of the attacking forces and was con-
spicuous for It's fearlessness, bravery and
the boldress of the assault, is now as prom
incnt in the skirmish line of the defence,
and why? because the corruptioniSts and
bribe givcrs are found in its own corps.
And where is the mighty organ that was al
most black in the face from its frantic
efforts to make its yell of reform" heard.
1t is now fairly purple with rage because
its cry has been heard and hceded, and the
black sheep that is to be slaughtered, is
from its own flock. The organ that con-
demns a decision which is exactly in ac-
cordance with its expressed views, viz: that
bribery should be ferreted out and exposed,
and that the bribe giver should be disgraced
and punished; with a charming and re-
freshing sang troid, in one column yells
fraud, outrage" and in another publishes
a dispatch to the effect, that only very
few votes, say ten or a dozen, have been
proceed to have been obtained by bribery
and is apparently horror struck that such
q little thing as that should be noticed, OF
be of any moment or weight in the dcci
sion.
The admission that bribery has beer
proven should cause the removal of Wash
burn, but unless there is good and sufficicn
proof that, the corruption and wholesale
bribery gave him his majority, there cal
be no grounds for giving Mr.. Donnelly tn,
seat. The seat should be declared vacan
and the people of this district, not Con
gre;s, should chose their representative.
A Tribune Reporters Mca nder
tngs and NCtalfOns.