Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-12-29
Park Us. Stephenson.

Judge Park publishes the following
in the Stevens Point Pinery of Dec. -,
Having examined the facts involved
IN the last congressional election in
this district, IS reported 70 me by re-
liable persons, from various parts of it,
l believe that received 3 msjority of
| several hundred of the legal votes cast
at that election, and am lawfully elect
ed member of congress. Further, that
but foy the frauds, corruption and
bribery practiced to win, snd buy
votes, MY msjority would have been u
larSe one. From all parts of the dis
trict with one voice the democrats de-
mand that | contest the election: to
this voice is added that of many re-
publicans, who, justly alarmed at the
open and growing evil of hrihing votes,
and 50 practically buying elections, ask
thSt such contest be made in order to
expose the evil ana condemn
it. l protest that have no
wish for office unless bestowed freely
by the unbought vote of the people.
When 50 given it should be received
with manly pride, and borne as price
less honor and sacred trust, elevsting
and honoring at once both electors ana
the officer. But if won BY trickery,
fraud or bribery it is st once reproach
10 the people, and disgrace 10 the
holder of it. All know aud admit that
upon the purity of our elections the
whole fabric of government stands;
when that is gone, the right and priv
ilege of the people to choose their otli-
GERS is gone also: and this chief right
is lost when, by briblng voters and cor
rupting elections, offices are obtained
and enjoyed. No enemy of our coun-
try, and its institutions, could devise for
their destruction such fatal and deadly
means as is employed when money
pays the independent manhood of the
voter, by making his vote merchandise
tor barter and sale. For ii destroys the
very object of free elections, by de-
stroyipg their purity. In this vital
question every citizen has common in
terest; it's no party question. It's rs
far above party as government itself.
Feeling that in this fair question | owe
the public duty, compared to which
myself and the office in question are
ofsnall importance, ,lthat by some meas
ure tie standard of the ballot may be
elevated, the purity of the elections
aided, the attentions of electors
aroused to the dignity of freeman's
use of the ballot and the necessity ef
preserving it free from barter, corrup-
ton and sale, and also, to secure the
election to the majority of legal votes
cast, shall contest the right of Isaac
Stephenson to seat in the Forty
eighth congress rs member from the
Ninth congressional district based on
the election of Nov. Z, 1882, because of
illegal votes cast for him at the cleo
ton, and because OF fraud, corruption
and bribery etiecting the result there
Of And to that end, invite the aid,
and cooperation Of all citizens, ire
spective of patty, who believe in hon
est election, and wish to preserve
them, rs the only way by which the
people can choose their officers, and
which, if not maintained, both as u
right and duty, Office itself VIII soon
become prize lottery-bought by pur
chase. am your obedient servant,
q. l.. PARK.
Dec. Is, 1882.