The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-22
REPUBLICAN HISTORY
SMELLS TO HIGH HEAVEN ACCORD
ING TO BURKE.

- >SN>~~s
Some weeks ago we said that we knew
of our own personal knowledge that
large part Of the leaders Of the Repub-
lican party were gang Of would-be as
sassins, cut Threats and thieves, and to
the end that we may not be accused Of
making false or exaggerated statements
we intend now to give to you part
only Of the proof of our assertions,
since to prove all the facts within our
knowledge would fill one or more large
sized volumes, and then not be any
where near done.
Away back in the early seventies
Republican state administration was
elected in California-one Of which Of
ficers that went into Office poor man,
but at the end of four years on salary
of $4,000 per year, was reported to have
amassed a fortune OF not less than
$4,000.
The leaders of the party became pos
sessed of the idea that we had some
facts that were, dangerous, and deter
mined to bust us in finances and politics
in order to destroy our influence and
fighting properties.
They did succeed in seeing us dead
broke, but that just made us put on our
fighting clothes in 1876. The legislature
of California, at our instance, COM
menced an investigation of this official,
defaulter to the tune of $4,000. Later
a suit was commenced by the state, and
a judgment secured of over SO 900 that
was to be paid.
About the same time a certain firm Of
Republican politicians committed for
gerry in securing title to a large amount
of timber land in Plumas and Sierra
counties, California, and in 1877 we fur
nished the facts to Carl Schurz, the then
secretary of the interior, who had suit
commenced to set aside the titles, and
the United States got back many thou
sand acres of land. (See U. S. court rec
ords in San Francisco)
In 1879 the people Of California adopt
ed new constitution. That campaign
for it's adoption was managed by us as
secretary, and M. M. Estee, chairman
Of the Republican national convention
Of 1885, was at the outset chairman of
the same committee, but the railroads
taking the other stand, he soon fell by
the wayside.
Later we started and managed the
New Constitution party-an independ-
ent move Of 1879-being secretary of
the state convention and of the state
central committee (see Davis History of
Political Conventions and Parties).
AS such secretary we attended the
legislature of California Of 1S79-80, help
ed draft and secured passage of the
present revenue laws Of California.
In 1880 we filed with the state board
of equalization complaints against near
ly seven hundred persons and corpora
tions, asking to have about $500, O00, 900
added to the assessment roll, and even
offered therein by twelve or fourteen of
the most prominent lawyers in the state
who, finding we were bound to win, Sc
cure writ from the supreme court of
California to stop the state board from
acting (see Wells-Fargo Co. VS.. State
Board of Equalization }.
We had asked to have about $3.50 ,OO0,-
900 added to the assessment of the rail-
roads of California, and were told that
in case we appeared before the board
the Central Pacific Railroad Company
of which Leland Stanford, Republican,
was president-would have us thrashed.
1t is needless to say we went and that
an agent of the railroad company tried
the act of violence (see Sacramento Bee
and Record Union. September, 1880.
From 1880 to 1881, without any official
position, we were able to reduce the
tax rate of San Francisco nearly one
third.
In 1885, being again in San Francisco,
we commenced showing up the Chris
Buckley-Demro Republican ring that
had so long controlled that state, and
later, as an indirect result thereof, Chris
Buckley was indicted, fled from justice,
and later returned to become full
f1edged Republican leader.
In that controversy we were knocked
down by hired bully known as the
king of the Hoodlums," who drew a
salary of $125 per month from the city
and later was sent to the state prison.
Our head was cut open in several
places, one eye nearly put out and ribs
badly hurt. but the articles did not
stop. and two members of Geo. H.
Thomas Post were with us constantly,
by which we had the support of many
of the knights Templar.
For a long time, indeed for years, we
slept with companion in the room,
both constantly armed, and in addition
had a dog chained at the door, to de-
feat the Vaccinations of the Ku Klux
Khan that controlled the Republican
Democratic politics of that state.
While suffering from the effects of
the attack in 1855 they caused our ar
rest on two charges for telling the
truth, but had to drop the cases quick
because with one eye shut and the other
half open we were going to examine the
seventeen banks in open court and
prove all our charges, bribing not ex-
cepted. and that they did not dare
Republican legislature of this state
would dare let us prove our statements
about them
incurred the animosity Of the criminal
element that has so long run it's pol
itics, because we unearthed certain
facts at the instance of one A. R. McGill,
who, through a mutual friend, had in
sured us the support of himself and his
friends But later we have found that
Andy could not always be depended on
to stand up in an emergency. The Oft
mentioned circular was sent to the
Guaranty Loan directors at his request
and for sending the same we secured
the lifelong enmity of Loren Hell-of-a-
Fix Fletcher, late of Winnipeg Jail,
John Saint Pine Land Pillsbury, the
great joss of the University and ready