Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-12-28
To the Electors Of the Ninth Con-
gressional District.
from St. Point Pinery.

Having examined the facts involved
in the last Congressional election In
this district, as reported to me by
reliable persons. from various parts of
it. I believe that [ received a majority
of several hundred of the legal votes
cast at that election, and am lawfully
elected member of Congress. Further
that but for the frauds, corruption,
and bribery practiced to win, and buy
votes, my majority would have been a
large one. From all parts of the
districts, with one voice the Demo
Gratis demand, that | contest the elect
ion, 10 this voice is added, that of
many Republicans, who justly alarm
ed, at the opening, and growing evil
of bribing votes, and so practically
buying elections; ask that such con-
test be made, in order to expose the
evil, and condemn it. | protest, that
| have no wish for Office, unless be-
slowed freely, by the unbought vote,
of the people. When SO given 1t
should be received with manly pride,
and borne as priceless honor, and
sacred trust elevating, and honoring
ut once, both electors and the officer.
But if won by triekery, fraud, or
bribery, it is at once reproach to the
people, and disgrace to the holder of
it. All know, and admit, that upon
the purity of our elections, the whole
fabric of government stands, when
that is gone, the right and privilege of
the people, to choose their officers, is
gone also, and this chief right, is lost,
when by bribing voters, and corrupt
ing elections, Offices are obtained and
enjoyed.
No enemy of our country, and its
institutions, could devise for their
destruction such fatal, and deadly
means, as is employed, when money,
saps the independent manhood of the
voter, by making his vote merchandise
for barter, and sale. For it destroys
the very object of free elections, by
destroying their purity. In this vital
question, every citizen has common
interest, its no party question, its as
far above party, as government itself
Feeling that in this far question, l
owe the public duty, compared to
which, myself, and the Office in ques-
ton, are of small Importance, that in
some measure the standard Of the
ballot may be elevated, the purity of
elections aided, the attention of elect
ors aroused to the dignity of free
mans use of the ballot. and the
necessity of preserving it free from
barter, corruption and sale; and also
to secure the election to the majority
of legal votes cast. | shall contest
the right of Hon. Isaac Stephenson to
a seat in the 4Sth Congress as member
from the Sth Congressional District,
based on the election of Nov. It'll 1882,
because of illegal votes cast for him at
the election, and because of fraud,
corruption and bribery affecting the
result thereof. And to that end,
invite the aid, and cooperation Of all
citizens, irrespective of party, who
believe in honest elections, and wish
to preserve them, as the only way by
which the people can choose their
officers, and which if not maintained,
both as a right and duty, office itself
will soon become prize at lottery
bought by purchase.
am your ob't serv't,
G.. L. PARK.
Dec. 18th 1882.