The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-10-27
Mr.. Barne e Response.


10 he Editor Of The Free Prese
Noticing card In your paper of Oct. Goth,
signed MANY Voters" addressed to me, and
feeling that ereply by me was nothing I'M
reasonable to expect, that my position de-
fined through the public prints may come to
the notice OF "Many Voters" ask you the
favor Of It's publication In your paper, where
the inquiry ia made.
The following Is q copy Of thee referred
TO.
To g. +. BARNEY. ESQ: Sr:-The taking
Of Free Passes from railroads by legisla-
tive members being Justly considered by
less than bribe, and being determined to
cast our votes for no man who will not pub
you are respectfully invited to define your
position through the public R print yorx.s
Mankato. MIMI, Oct. nth, 1882
It is observable that the above card, unlike
those addressed to the nominees Of the ALI
ance convention, demands no pledges, and
respect your Judgment and I agree with you
that pledges unsupported by an honest char
acter, IL Of no possible value: and a character
for honesty and integrity acquires no addi-
tionsi power nor strength through any num-
DER or cnaraCtor OF pledges.
Such pledges SAVIOR OF the same objection,
to meet which the pledges are required, to
wit: attempting, through this transparent
subterfuge, to allure and deceive the public.
hoping thereby to succeed in catching few
votes which otherwise might not be secured
pledges being often times resorted to as a
cheap clap-trap to catch votes, and readily
violated or evaded. He who could be in
fiuenced by free pass would have no scru-
pies in making any required pledge. II a
member has not confidence enough In himself
10 legislate with free pass In his pocket, the
voters have right to distrust his fortitude
and ability In resisting the temptation of a
tender Of pass after election.
In stating my views and defining my posi-
ton am free to state that have no doubt
that many honest men 'of all political be-
liefs' consider the taking Of free passes as
nothing less than bribe; but inasmuch as
the receiving Of passes extends through all
departments Of our government. state and
nationai-even the chief executive with his
cabinet and ofacers ride free In palace cars
rendered by gigantic railroad corporations;
senators and representatives at our national
capitol not only accept free passes. but
such for their friends; the judges of our
courts, governors and State officers even To
the railroad commissioner who is the media
tor between these corporations and the peo- |
pie, ride free on the different lines Of railroad
In our State. and ministers OF the gospel are |
the recipients Of passes Of half-fare rates
and being unable to discover wherein the re- |
ceiving Of q free pass by O legislative member |
should - considered more corrupt or fraught |
with more or greater evil than the same act |
by an offcer of one Of the executive or Judi |
cial departments Of government, have not |
suf1cient knowledge or information to 1usti- |
~ q belief that II is in each and every case |
bribe. or that each and every OF such reci- |
pients are guilty Of a felony. and neither do |
believe that all the honest men of all politi- |
cal beliefs either justly or otherwise have |
como to such conclusions.
It 10 observable that the above card also |
differs from the other. as no allusion is made |
to the subject OF 'free transportation" |
which demonstrates how easy are the many |
ways q bride may be perpetrated, and by re-
ferring to "free passes" alone q pledge may
be made evasive.
But in order to do your card full and COM |
plete justice, and believing you intended to
cover the whole subject Of bribery, corrup-
tion and undue influence, I shall not rest
content to take IL in its most narrow and
limited sense, but shall define my position,
giving your card the widest scope and the
most comprehensive construction.
Yes, am opposed to bribery, corruption
and undue influence In its every form and
phase. either In national or state legislation,
executive or judicial officers, servants or
electors.
sessments upon the salaries Of public officers
TO raise money to corrupt the people and
carry elections.
am opposed to all rings in the post office
department or otherwise formed to plumber
the government or to rob its treasury.
I am opposed to the placing Of Credit Mo-
bilier stock "where 1t will do the most good"
in oorrupting legislation.
lam opposed to the distribution of Pacific
railroad stock and bonds among representa-
lives at our national capital to influence i'm
proper legislation, by which fabulous for
tunes are accumulated ostensibly from saw
inss from Q comparatively moderate salary.
am in favor OF an honest administration
Of the Affairs Of our government in each of
its departments and by each and all of its
officers.
lam in favor Of q free and fair expression
through the bailot-box In the choice Of our
representatives and officers, untrammeled
BY INSCRIPTIONS partizans and unintimidated
BY the party lash.
am in favor Of leaving to each voter the
right to act upon his unbiased judgment in
choosing such representatives and Officers,
and an honest exercise of the elective fran
chise.
am in favor Of the people retaining the
government In their own hands and prevent
ing monopolies from encroaching upon the
rights Of the people.
lam in favor Of holding corporations with
in the limits Of their franchise. and through
the means and power retained by the people
rights OF the citizens and to distate in their
demands on the people.
am In favor OF equal and exact Justice to
all, and giving to all such protection as their
rights may require.
Ibelieve that capital and labor each have
rights before the law and each are entitled
to its protection.
I believe there IL q growing sentiment
among the voters OF the country that an
honest government by capable, honest and
independent representatives, is more to be
desired than retaining party affiliations, des
tined to build up and sustain monopolies,
frauds and corruption.
believe that MANY Voters" honestly de-
sire to put Q stop to frauds and corrupt prac-
tices, and in bringing about the many neces-
sary reforms they have the assurance of the
vigorous cooperation Of
Your odedIent servant.
Mankato, October q, 1882
PLEASANT MOUND, MINI,
Oct. 23rd, 1882.
EDITOR FREE PRKss:-Please publish the
enclosed communication for the benefit of
many citizens in this vicinity ana oblige
yours truly, J. 8. PARKS.
Lake Ctystdt, MINI, Oct. %, 1857. 8. Parks and
others, citizens Of Pleasant AoEnd.
DEAR SIRs: Yours Of the 10th inst, asking
whether I. as had been reported, had con-
cluded TO withdraw my name from the ALI
suce ticket as q candidate for County At
torney. and thus leave the Alliance party on
the eve Of election with q broken ticket, is
received. answer no without solicitation
upon my part the Alliance party honored me
with place on their ticket, nominated at
convention which adopted platform OF
principles Of which the political party might
we'll be proud, and at a convention held long