The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-08-08
HEAD OFF CORRUPTION.
WHAT REPUBLICAN VICTORY
MEANS.
Washburn's Return to the Senate

In little while the Republican
speakers will face the people, all over
thls state, and appeal to them to once
more support the G. o. p They will
tell them that the party is for BIZ
metallism, or rather for bye-and bye
metallism; and that if they carry the
state they will send an advocate of
free silver to the United States sem
ate. Their pretty talk and their
sweet promises will be boundless and
endless.
Now cut the following out and paste
it in your hat, and be ready to read it
out to them when these oratorical
scamps come around. 1t is part of a
leading editorial in the Minneapolis
Tribune of July %, 1S94;-and the Tri-
bune. be it remembered. is the most
influential Republican paper in the
state. Here it is:
"Ihe'e IS Iedllu no organized opposition
TO Senator WdshJuln. Those who ac-
cuSe Gov. Nelson of secretly scheming
for the place do the governor-we are
contident-a great injustice. Ex-Gov.
| Merriam declares that he is not oppos-
ing MIR. Washburn, and the Tribune is
| inclined to take him at his word.
| Why should any Republican oppose
Senator Washburn's reelection? He
has made an excellent record in the
senate; he has faithfully served the
interests of his constituents; he has
acquired an influence and standing
which make him a valuable and effec-
tive representative of the state. Such
being the case, he is fairly entitled to
the customary compliment of a second
| term. We do not believe that any
considerable body of Republicans have
any idea of denying him that simple
justice. Mr.. Washburn will be the
candidate of his party to succeed him
self in the United States senate next
winter, and If the Republicans haze q ma
jority on JOINT ballot IN the legislataue-as
they are morally certain to hore-he ,ciU be
chosen rithout any serious opposition"
There you have it! If the Republi-
cans carry the state of Minnesota,
WashburD goes back to the United
States senate, for six years more, to
represent Wall street and the Cana
dian Pacific Railway Company. And
this same Tribune had boasted, in the
strongest terms, that Mr.. Washburn
dad more than any other man an cOn0reSs
to bring about the repeal of the Sherman
act To stop the coinage of silver To
close up the mints. To increase the
value of gold. To lessen the price of
wheat and all other forms of prope rty.
To increase the farmers mortgages
and turn the workmen into tramps.
And now he asks his reward If the
Republicans carry the state he is to
go back to the senate. Don't be
fooled. He has the whole Canadian
Pacific system of railroads, with un-
limited wealth. at his back, and they
will pull him through.
In fact, even with majority of the
legislature against the Republican
party, it is not impossible that they
may buy up votes enough for him to
| win.
See to it then, brethren, that every
| candidate for the house and senate is
pledg d nerer to rOte for Woshbu1n under
ony circumstances; and, indeed nerer to
cote for any one bit consistent, positive
Popn'ist. Let us force Peoples party
victory if we have the power.
Before you vote you are masters of
the situation. After the election
| those you have chosen will be the mas
ters. Have everything clearly under
stood. therefore, before you cast your
votes. The senatorial election in this
state, when Washburn was last elect
ed, was shocking exhibition of venal-
ity and rottenness. We shall never
forget how a senator came to us, in
the midst of the fight, and said. "My
| God, Mr.. Donnelly. what shall we do?
You cannot trust anybody. We pay a
man $4,000 for his vote and then the
other side buy him over again, with
another $4,000, and he keeps both!"
The water closets in the basement of
the capitol became banking houses
for the payment of the purchase mon
ey; and men were bought and sold like
sheep and cattle. We can give the
name of prominent lawyer, residing
in st. Paul, who, we are assured,
handled the money for the Canadian
Pacific Railroad. 1t had to have con-
gressional legislation to place it, a
foreign corporation, on terms of
equality, within the United States,
with our own American roads; and
money was no object to secure men
who would betray the United States
for the benefit of Canada.
And these men will be on hand
again next winter; and they will win;
unless you pledge, in advance, every
Populist candidate for the legislature
to vote for none but Populists. Let
these pledges be made publicly and in
writing. Only in that way can you
head-off the conscienceless devils who
will assail your representatives. and
senators as soon as they are elected
| There are, of course, many honest can
didates. who will need no pledges, but
they will not object to clearly defining
| their position.
Let the people rule. Head off the
| bribe-givers and the bribe-takers.
PATERNALISM.