The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-10-03
The D0NNELLY- Y-WASHBURN CAM.
PAIGN OF 1878.
The Report Of the Committee on
Elections of the House.
THREE HUNDRED AND FOJTR
CASES OF BRIBERY.
Bulldozing and Intimidation Of
Workingmen.
Loren Fletcher, Charley johnson,
Major Hale and Other Not.
ables Mixed Up in 1t.
READ AND sHOWYOUR NElGHRoRs

| ssUASo A'AiASA - III
READ AND sHOWYOUR NElGABoRs
1t is the belief of all good Chris
tlans that the record of mans bad
acts is carefully preserved in the next
world. to bless or damn him. William
ID. Washburn. when he reads the fol-
lowing, will feel very much like the
unhappy sinner who sees, spread in
| the great Book of Doom, the dreadful
memorials Of his past life on earth.
In 1878 1gnatius Donnelly was con.
| Quoting a large farm in Stevens coun-
ty, Minnesota, and had about 1000
acres under cultivation. The Third
Congressional district, as it was then
called, embraced the cities of Minne-
apolis and St. Paul and all that part
| OF the state north of them to the state
line. 1t was Republican in 1877 by
| 1000 majority. The Democrats we're
demoralized and hopeless, and when
the "Greenbackers" or "Anti-Monopo-
| ly'' party, to Mr.. Donnellys great sur
prise, nominated him for congress, al
oAAOuS LIS ICS ICoiuCHCC WdS III du~
other district, the Democratic con-
| ventiOn refused to make Il nomination
and requested their people to vote for
him. The farmers of the district we're
in the direst distress on account Of
the robberieS Of the wheat ring ac-
complished with the help of 1.-THE little
brass KETTLE" by which the same
wheat was made to yield three differ
ent grades. The campaign was known
as "The Brass Kettle campaign" and
was one of the fiercest ever carried on
in any part Of the United States The
| Republican money flowed like water.
Mr.. Donnelly swept away the whole Of
the II 900 Republican majority of the
| year before, and had several hundred
| MAJ jority in the district outside Of
| Minneapolis. In Minneapolis, two
years previously, the Republican ma
| jority for Hayes, over Tilden was but
355; while the Democrats and Work.
ingmen, in the same year, elected their
candidate for mayor by $3.50 majority.
Yet in 1878 Washburn claimed in Min
neapolis, q majority of $3.50 votes.
| The certificate of election was given
to Washburn and Mr.. Donnelly con-
tested his right to the seat. He took
| the testimony of witnesses all over
the district, Mr.. Washburn being rep
resented by his attorneys. This sworn
testimony formed the basis of the re-
port which we publish below, and
which was made by majority of the
committee, the only difference being
| as to counting the vote Of one county
| Isanti; there being no question as to
| the bribery and intimidation.
A great battle followed before Con-
gress. 1t was evident Mr.. Donnelly
| was going to be seated. At this critic
al juncture the celebrated "Bll King"
| a Republican leader, who had been de-
nounced by the Pioneer Press as 1.-The
strumpet of corruption,i appeared up
on the scene. This was the same man
who had previously been elected to
Congress, from the same district, was
indicted for perjury in the District Of
| Columbia and fled to Can ada, leaving
his empty seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives to testify to the honor and
glory OF Minnesota. An anonymous
letter was written to VIM. M. Spring
| er, the chairman of the Committee of
Elections, offering to give Springer's
wife $1,000 if Donnclly could be de-
feated and Washburn kept in his seat.
| Up to this time Springer had been sup
porting Donnelly: he then Topped to
the support of Washburn. land was base
enough to pretend that the letter in
behalf of Washburn, offering $4,000 to
beat Donnelly, had been written by
one of Donnelly's attorneys! Congress
appointed committee to inquire into
the origin Of the letter; butt became
grand battle Of experts in hand
writing and politicians, and it meyer
was demonstrated who wrote the let
ter. Mr.. Donnelly swore he thought
King did, An expert took some of Bill
Kings acknowledged writings and re-
| produced the letter in controversy, by
tracing letters out of them, and the
product was so much like the bribe-
Offering letter that one expert swore
positively it was the original letter!
The contest hung along until Mr.. DON
nelly's funds gave out and the election
case was never reached or decided.
Now Mr.. WaShburn is running again
for the United States Senate. 1t is un-
derstood that if the Republicans carry
the Legislature lie will be returned for
six years more. He has no competitor.
| Knute Nelson declares he will not be
a candidate. 1t is we'll therefore that
the voters should understand, by the
congressional report, based on uncon-
tradicted. sworn testimony, just what
manner of man this is who now seeka
reelection at their hands. The oppO