The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-10-18

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of D. n. 70, X. of L.. written in reply
to an enquiry regarding the course of
S. G.. Comstock, the present republl'
can candidate for congress from the
Fifth district. in the last legislature,
recently published in the Labor Echo:
ST. PAUL, Minn.. September IA, 'SS.
Mr., w. E. MCKENZIE,
CRooksToN. MIMI,
Dear Sis:-Your letter requesting
information relative to the course of
S. G.. Comstock in the last legislature.
was referred to me. The committee
from the knights of Labor that
watched the proceedings of the last
legislature relative to labor measures
made very good report. On the
original list of members of both
houses. whose presence in the next
session the committee apprehended
would not advance the interests of
the producers of the state, judging
from their conduct in that session,
there were several names that were
afterwards dropped, as it was thought
best 10 centralize all our power 10 de-
feat those placed on that list, and it
was feared ny making the list too
large, some of them would escape the
penalty.
But in dropping those thought to be
the least guilty, it happened that Il
very cunning knave and corporation
tool slipped through. ''Slipping,'
however, seems 10 lie one ofthe mans
chief characteristics, as lie was so sly
and slippery that it was almost i'm
possible to get his record on measures
in the interest of the farmers and
worbingmen. This man is the same
regarding whose actions you desire
informatlon-Uon S. G. Comstock.
lie was on the two most important
committees in the senate-JudiciarY
and Railroads, and in those commit
tees, where no record of his actions
could be Kept. he did his ''fine work"
That he acted as the special tool for
jim Hill, no man who took any ac-
tive interest in the peoples demands
at the hands of the legislature, will,
or can, deny.
No place in the journal of the
senate, can his name he found as
tavoring measure of any importance
in the interest of the producers.
When the measure was popular and
his vote against it counted for naught
he invariably 'sdodged'' by absenting
himself or in some way evading the
vote. Neither can there be found
from beginning to the end of the
senate journal, record of his name
in opposition to corporation measure
especially if it in any way advanced
the interests of the Manitoba rail-
way company. No honest man ever
sent to similar body, could avoid
placing himself on record on greater
number Of measures affecting the in
terests of the people. No honest man
would endeavor to "dodge" those
issues. None but the fou1est political
hypocrite, who, while betraying the
trust of his costi.uents, in obedience
to the will of an oppressor. yet seeks
to cover his tracks by mlffling his
feet so that no trace is visible where
he tread, could be induced to resort
to such cowardly, treacherous stra-
tegy.
An ambition that craved to be
gatified at the hands Of those whose
interests he betrayed, made him
dread the record, while selfishness
bordering on villalny prevented him
from making record with which he
would dare to return to his constitu-
ents like man of honor.
1t is not always possible to judge
from the journals, as to the position
of member on measures affecting
the interests of the people, unless one
knows beforehand the nature Of the
various measures passed upon. A
bill may have title indicating that
it is bill iii the interest of the pro-
ducers, while the effect of it if passed
would be the reverse; and as only the
titles are shown in The journals, 1t is
evident that no definite knowledge
can be gained from this source with
out first knowing the true import OF
the bills.
The measures to which I now call
attention as showing this mans
record, were all in the interest Of the
toilers. not only IN title but in fact.
House File No.l--A bill relative to
the reduction of the rate Of interest.
when it reached the senate, was re-
ferred to the committee on Banks ard
Banking and that was the last was
ever seen Of it. And when Mr.. Dodge
moved torequest the committee to re-
port forthwith Mr. ComstOck undUubt-
eddy voted against the molten, for he |