The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-11
MRS. I.eaaa,s WARM words.

l.
the other day and The Constitution in
teryiewed her about the political situa-
ton: .
"What will be the outcome Of it all?'
/ "Well, unless there are reforms by
means of the ballot, there W II be blood.
shed. Greed never has been willing TO
give up one dollar Of its i'll gotten
! gains, and it is not certain that reforms
can be brought about by peaceful
methods.
| s'But is there not this difference be-
tween the status in France and the
status here-that the 100000 who own
all the wealth are in the minority, and
of the $4,000 600. 100000 have
tvotes, while in France the people had
no voice?"
eyes, we have here the alternative Of
the ballot or the bullet. In France
they had no alternative but the bullet
or the bayonet. But | do not see how
much can be done through the ballot
unless it is reformed BY the Australian
system"
Mrs. Leases eyes flashed indignant
ly as she said:
"What good will the ballot do when
millionaires can vote hordes of Italians?
They say it is the shotgun down here.
Up there il is intimidation by employ.
ers. You vote this way or give up
your job Votes are bought in every
part Of the country. In Oklahoma the
negroes passed througha room, receiv.
ling a sack of meal, piece of bacon
and bag OF beans on one side, and
were given Republican ticket on the
other side. You remember there was
balance of $40, 900 left of the appro-
priation of congress for the Johnstown
sufferers, and by resolution it was given
to the distressed people of Oklahoma.
Instead of giving it to all the distressed
i people, white and black, the Republi-
cans used all Of it to get negro votes in
the election, and not dollar of it was
given to white people. was witness
of that transaction, and after we got
through in Kansas / went down there,
and we didn't leave them single coun
ty Office, Notwithstanding the negro
votes. held large meeting in King
fisher county just before the election.
1t was in Methodist church and the
house was packed. Men set in the win.
dows, and there were many women 10
the church. Suddenly the floor sank
two feet, and there was an awful panic.
Men were leaping on benches, shrek.
ing in fright and as white as they will
ever be in death. But for my self con-
troll it would have been terrible in q
moment more. With my powerful
voice / succeeded in catching their
attention and alIaying their fears. /
told them there was no danger, and
that it was nothing but a Republican
trick to break up the meeting. At the
moment I honestly thought it was. We
had had attempts to break up our
meetings in Kansas. They tried to
have me arrested as rebel interloper
from North Carolina. When got the
attention of the crowd / asked the men
to stand still until the women and chill.
4 dren could get out. They did so, and
when they were out told the men to
pass out quietly. but to 60 quickly, as
there was nine foot cellar underneath,
and there might be some danger. /
don't know how | controlled myself.
| was awfully scared, for l could see
the walls sag in when the floor sank.
/ The people went out Of there be.
lieving that it was actually a Republi
can trick, and men who had been life
long Republicans left the party and
voted with us. 1t looked liked the
Lord was on our side. They say that
all is fair in love and war, and thai
was very much lite war. | alterward
went back to see if there had been any
attempt to cut the underpinning, but
became satisfied that there was not.''
"Were you from North Carolina?'
"No. am from the old country; |
am OF Scotch. Irish descent. My father
and brother were In the Union army
My brother lies in Virginia and my
father sleeps in AndcrsonviIle. When
they started the North Carolina story
these facts came out, and that is the
way l came to be called Joan of Arc.
The Union veterans took it np and
gave us thousands of votes. They