The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1890-10-17

imports were 200 bushels, also brought
in for seed, and taxed 25 cents a bushel.
We have caused the east to become
enormously rich. through the rapid
building up of great fortunes. The west
now wants to see how it is done. The
wealth of the country is evadingt the paw
ment of it's just sbHre OF TEX, through
subterfuge. The poor must pay not
only their own tax but that Of the rich.
Wealth is increasing, but in New York
City personal property assessment has
decreased 500, 900 1000. A high govern.
ment official who claims that his home
is in Winona made a sworn affidavit
that his personal property vas only $500,
while the same year he took his family
through Europe on a trip. The speaker
read from an article which he wrote
three years ago, protesting against this
wrong. This has been a part of the
Democratic creed for years, and that
party has been protesting against the
awful and Internal practice, which the
Republicans have been maintaining. He
urged the Alliance to turn in and help
the Democrats to WIN, promising thar
it's demands would be conceded.
The Republican party is fighting Thos.
Wilson and have little to say about Mr..
Owen. Thew take all the credit for put
ting some million acres of railroad land
on the tax rolls, and say that therefore
Wilson should be defeated. If the Re-
publicans have done It they deserve
credit for it. But no Republican did
anything for this until / was in the
House and introduced a resolution to
that effect and was appointed on the
committee to examine into it.. Because
l compelled it to be done the Republi-
can take the credit and want me beat
en-. Coy. Merriam, also in the House,
did nothing to get it through, but set by
and allowed it to be choked in the
House. But they want to elect him for
il. The speaker proceeded to show that
he had done much to protect the people
and tax the railroads, while Gov. Mer-
Ram did nothing. The Democratic par
ty has for years opposed watered stock
of railroads.
MI. Owen said that we have become
old and decrepit. However that may be,
our heart and mind have been on the
right track "for 10, these many years."
Young blood like John Diamond and
the other Alliance men would put new
life in our party.
At this point Mr.. Diamond asked the
speaker W StdIt Wlldt tu6 D6u1OCIdtlC
party had ever expressed upon the sub
iect of watered stock. Instead of doing
this, Mr.. Wilson said that for years
there has been a lawonour statute books
%forbiddlng the watering of stock, but
that the Republican party has become
SO Internally corrupt that it allows it to
be violated with impunity.
We are opposed to the use of money
in politics. We agree with everything
that Mr.. Owen said, except that those
who Join the Alliance party will all be
immaculate and the party will never be
bad. No party but contains the bal as
well as the good. The use of money al
and after elections is treason against the
people. He who would use or receive
it should have no place in this govern
ment. If any man can say that [ have
not lived up to every principle in the
Alliance party That is a reaso for damn
ing me. | am glad to see them reach
ing out for something better.
Finally, 1t is said that | am unfit to be
governor for being a railroad attorney.
Take the railroads out of the country
and there wouldn't be much left. AS
long as there is a necessity for attorneys
to protest against their interests, | have
vet to learn that it is dishonorable to be
their attorney. [ am proud that that is
the only thing that the Republicans can
bring up. He would make no promises,
but hoped that the people would vote
for him.