St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-26
PLAYED HIM LOW DOWN.
Lulled Him Into q Sense OF
Security and Then Beat
Him.
BRIBERY Is CHARGED.
Explicit Statement That Much
Money Was Used by Mel
son Men.

The Minneapolis Republican papers
continue. with cOmmendable zeal, to show
cause why the Republican party should
be torn up and dismembered, root and
branch, and have establish beyond cavil
that the means used to accomplish the
election of Nelson to the United States
senate would be disgrace to Democra-
tic Mississippi. If the Republican party
does not promptly leglslate itself out OF
existence in the face of this bToadside
Of invective, it has recuperative powers
beyond the ordinary, and will certainly
surprise the Minneapolis censors.
The example that the papers have set
seems to be contagious, and even Sena.
tor Washburn has become inspired with
the courage of his convictions, and from
the fortress of frigidity from which his
campaign was conducted he emergeS
long enough to hurl fiery shaft or two
of truth into the ranks of his political
associates.
To say that the senator is sore is to
use but feeble phrase, and TO add that
he is vindictive but slightly conveys a
conception of the pent-up wrath which
is consuming him.
A Minneapolis paper was yesterday
accorded an interview with the senator,
in which the latter makes even more
specific charges of corruption aud brib-
cry than those which were clrculat~
ed so freely six years ago, when the
other fellow was doing the curSing and
the senator was packing his grip in
preparation for the trip to Washington.
That the records may be preserved
for use III future campaigns. the GLOBE
republishes in part Senator Washburn's
interview. After discussing the ques-
ton of his reelection in its general
bearing and stating that he had from
Gov. Nelson, Gov. Clough, eX-Gov.
Merriam and other prominent Repub.
Hcans the most explicit and unccndI-
tiOnal pledges of support. he says:
"With this feeling regarding the
situation we came to the election. After
that had passed | became convinced
that instead of the condition which l
had believed existed, the situation was
houeycombed with treachery. The
men who had been protesting that they
were in favor of my reelection and
would raise no opposition were working
actively against me. | determined to
fight the battle out on its merits, and |
believe | have done SO.
The methods of the opposition have
been most disgraceful. There was a
shameless use of money. l believe
that up to last Friday night | might
have brought about an entirely differen
result had | allowed the use Of money
Some of my supporters came to me and
begged 10 be allowed to use funds
where they would DO good, but held
to my position"
Have you any idea who furnished
these funds?" was asked.
''Yes, | have" returned Senator
Washburn, with the first smile which
had crossed his face, but | don't care
to make any suggestions along that
line"
''It has been reported that j. j. Hill
was supplying the money" suggested
the interviewer.
ii don't think So" was the senator's
response. II give Mr.. Hill credit for a
higher standard than that"
at has been said that money was
raised Oh the Chicago board of trade.
Do you know whether that is so?''
IL know that repeated attempts were
made 10 get money from the Chicago
wheat men during the last six weeks,
but | have no positive information that
they were successful.
But even worse than the use OF
money" continued Senator Washburn,
Twas the outrageous manipulation of
state patronage. They have promised
everything that there is to be given and
more. Everything was traded to beat
me. Every dishonest method Of manip-
ulation known to ring politicians was
resOrted to-"
Have you had any reason to change
the opinion you entertained before cleo
ton of the desire of the Republicans Of
Minnesota for your re-electiOn?"
No, sir, | think that most of the
members of the legislature were nomi-
mated and elected sQuarely. The peO-
pie expected them to vote for me, and
they themselves expected to do SO. l
do not think the ring influenced nomi-
nations to any great extent. The men
were elected squarely; they have been
debauched since.
However, there were individual
cases where candidates went in with The
tQ6a OF GONG NE. Onc prominent
member Of the Hennepln delegation,
whom | believed was my friend, | am
now convinced sought the nomination
and election for the sole purpose Of
working against me-"
"Will you say who that wasW
NO, l will not call any names. IL
the coat fits him he can wear it,
"What do you think will De the effect
of this scandal upon the Republican
party in MinnesOtaW
1t will create the greatest upheaval
ever seen. TIE people Will not cOunte-
nance such methods. [ look to see the
Republican party rise in its strength
and utterly wipe out every politician
who has been liz any way connected
with this unsaVory case"
There is no question in the senator's
mind that his defeat will occasion po
litical "upheaval." In this he is doubt
less correct. There will be one upheaV-
al on the 4th day OF next March, 90
which day lie will be hove off the list
United States senators.
That the Republicans Of Minnesota
will consider the means used to defeat
the senator as unusual or particularly
ineXcuSable is very doubtful. They are
used 20 that sort OF thing.