Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-14
M'DONaLD'S RETELaTTONs.

1t was hardly to be expected that the rev.
Citations of the inner workings of the whisky
ring recently made by Gen. John A. McDon-
aid would create much of a sensation. In
the first place the public has long been
familiar with the facts he recites, or the
major portion of them. The connection of
Joyce, Avery, Babcock, and even Grant with
the frauds perpertrated on the government
was proven to the satisfaction of the ma jori-
ty of the people, and hence McDonald's book
lacks the interest of novelty. He adds
merely cumulative evidence to that already
on the records of the courts, and could not
expect, therefore, to create sensation by
his oft-told tale. Then it happens that
people are not inclined to set much store by
the story of confessed criminal, even if he
turns states evidence. His statements are
looked on with suspicion by all, and though
known to be true their effect is lost in the
contempt that honest men naturally feel for
one SO depraved as to steal, and SO dishonor-
able as to betray his comrades in iniquity.
There is one thing suggestive in the story,
however, that will set the people generally
to thinking. Gen. Mcdonald states, and
supports his statements by documentary
evidence. that the main portion of the cam
paign funds of the Republican party from
1873 to 1875 was extorted from the distillers
and reetifers as the price of immunity from
prosecution for the frauds they had perpe-
trated and we're then perpetrating upon the
government. He estimates-and his esti-
mates are borne out by others testimony
that at least milliops dollars were paid by
the manufacturers of liquors, through him
self and others, to the persons controlling
the campaign funds of the party. This
money was expended to secure the GLORIOUS
Republican victories" that were achieved in
that the party, by participating in the illicit
gains of the distillers, became porticeps
cr5naa1aSs in the frauds, and should be held
responsible for them before the bar of public
opinion if it can not be held responsible be-
fore the bar of justice.
These revelations will have peculiar in
terest to all government employees. Owing
to the ''liberality" of the distillers, the ex-
penses of the Presidential campaign of 1876
which were left for governmental officials to
bear, were unusually light. 1t follows that,
as there is no such source of revenue at
present, the officials will be taxed to an un.
usual degree during the present campaign
Thus far they have been asked for but two
per cent. Of their salaries. Though in the
aggregate the amount thus realized will foot
up to over million and half dollars, there
will be need of much more. The party is
conducting money campaign. 1t is main
tanning expensive headquarters at Washing
ton, New York and Chicago, and has en-
ployed an army of high-priced public
speakers. There are also organizations OF
various descriptions to be maintained, can
vassers to fee. and election officers to bribe
The contest is desperate one, and money
will have to be used without stint, il success
is to be achieved. The party contains many
wealthy men who might bear the expense
without suffering, but these have no political
aspirations, and will keep their purse-strings
tight. The brunt will have to be borne,
therefore, by the Office holders, who, though
strong in point of numbers, are not over
burdened with wealth. There is no whisky
ring to draw upon. The outlook, it must
be confessed, is not cheerful one to con-
template from an official point of view.