The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-16
THE MORAL OF EVERY DEMAND

It is a principle as ancient as the
moral law. and as correct as the deca-
log ue. that he who asks equity must
do equity: that lie must come with
clean hands. This il the moral OF
every appeal to the popular heart
for justice and equity, and why the
cry when raised by such an individual
meets an approving response in the.
heart of man. But when the person
making the appeal. though largely in
behalf Of others comes tainted with
fraud, corruption. falsehood and
moral 70 ttenness, although his ap~
peal may have some of the elements
of right. justice and equity, these are
nearly lost sight Of in the presence OF
the moral obliquity of the advocate.
The man who comes to the front in
advocating principles and meas
ures for the public veal, such as form
the basis of the organization of the
Farmers Alliance Of America should
be above shams, false pretense and
deceit in his individual actions and
history.
1t does not need calcium light
turned onto the past thirty-four or
five years of NJ. b. Doolittle in How
ard County to demonstrate unwor-
thiness as the exponent OF the great
moral truths and principles of the
farmers alliance. At the time of his
arrival in Howard County the farm
upon which he resides had by COM
mon consent been set apart for entry
by one who was minor then, but
who would reach his majority in
time for the land sale. That young
man had eleven acres broken on the
land at cost of $50. Mr.. Doolittle
regardless of the equities of the person
having made these improvements
jumped the claim, built him cabin,
went east, married, brought On his
wife, held the premises and appro-
priated to himself without reinunera-
ton for the labor that had been done
toward opening the land to cultiva-
tion. That person was afterward
clerk of the court two terms and cap
tain Of Co. 80, Iowa infantry in the
war of the rebellion.
As illustrating his disposition to
take the credit due to others for mer-
cenary purposes may be cited the
donation of car load of potatoes by
farmers of Howard and Winnesheik
County which he shipped in his own
name as a donation from himself sent
to the young mems christian associa-
ton for the relief of sufferers by the
Chicago fire. In return for this hos
pitality contributed by others the Y.
II. C. A. has furnished him farm help
which he has appropriated and used
at nominal wages, sometimes paying
it out of the very stores he is now
making war upon on long credit.
So likewise the generous contribu.
tions of our people for the relief Of
Dakota su fferers have been made to
him and the articles have been re.
ceipted for by the recipients to NJ. b.
Doolittle aud he has had the gall in
several instances to publish their
acknowledgements as though the
credit was all his.
Aud his boosted generosity TO the
gsoor and unfortunate whose homes
he had hid in at the tax sale is equal.
Nv false. One illustration out of many
will have to do. 4 widow with a
large family living in Albion had a
home and a few acres Of ground
which were sold for the taxes, Mr.
Doolittle becoming the purchaser
The time for redemption having ex'
pired the requisite notice of expira.
ton was served and he applied to
Patrick Griffin then Treasurer for a
treasurer's deed. Mr.. Griffin protest
ed against the lnhumanlty of taking
her home and turning the widow and
her children homeless into the streets
for the small sum really invested.
Mr., Doolittle relented sufficiently
that he would take the money includ.
ing principal, penalty, interest and
cost. and cancel the certificate. Mr..
Griffin County treasurer, John f..
Peck County Auditor and J. J. Lowry
County Sheriff contributed the en-
tire funds, Mr.. Doolittle receiving
the uttermost farthiny due him and
the certificate was surrendered and
Cancelled thus saving the home to her
Aelt and children.