Evening star., 1896-10-05
MIR. BISHOPS EXPLANATION

tfammeled sunrage. we nave therefore
established a national patriotic association,
to be known as the Minute Men of &c. for
the purpose of offsetting the intimidation
ard coercion which is being practiced in
every state of the Union.
Stringent measures must be adopted to
mako the punishment for interference with
flee ballot adequate to the crime Organize
your camps and report to headquarters al
oIce. State post commanders will be ap-
pointed quickly and the work systematized
as rapidly as possible.
Let no guilty man escape.'-Grant.
Eternal vigilance is the price of lib
erty'-Patrick Henry:
General Commander.
"a. E. REDSTONE,
"Adjutant General.
washington, D. c., October 1, 1886"
When asked for further information as to
the objects of the Minute Men," Mr. Bish-
op replied:
Mr.. Bishops Explanation.
We have determined to meet the coer-
cion and intimidation of voters, which has
become SO general to confirm the sus-
p1cton of its being an organized conspiracy,
by an organized opposition. We have Sc
cured expert legal advice. and believe we
have. discovered a method strictly con-
stitutional, legal, practical and business
like. which will fully carry Sout our pur-
poses.
every state in the Union except Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island
and Connecticut. Our membership require
ments recognize no religions, partisan, ma
tionaL' or color lines, but is composed of
all men and women who believe in the
right of Americans to cast their ballots
absolutely untrammeled by any form of
restraint or even advice, SO that the result
OF all elections shall be the free expression
OF the will of majority of the citizens
entitled to vote.
- The ~organiza ton is absolutely secret in
its character and military in its discipline
and any violation of the obligations i'm
posed will be met with summary punish
n.ent. 1t aims at obtaining the co-opera-
ton of every man and woman whose sin
cerity is not questioned and satisfactory
references are necessary to secure admis-
sion. The organization Is supported by vol
uctary contributions and the expenditures
are confined to the acquisition and distri-
button of information in the issuance by
the officers of The directions, instructions
and orders incident to the work.
Body Will he Permanent.
THE body will be permanent, and what
ever the outcome of the present political
! contest every man who has taken any par:
in the work of intimidation of voters will
have ample demonstration Of the fact that
we are existing and acting before the close
Of '96. Our plans and membership are not
open to public scrutiny; we are not a labor
union and no bar exists to any person who
can pass the necessary test for member
ship.
Il have letters from various localities
| showing that manufacturers, merchants
bankers, railroad officials and others arc
using various unwarranted methods to
warp the political judgment of those over
whom they exert an influence either as
employers or otherwise and these tactics
must be met.
I'VE know that the people are handicap
pod m a arf lin 1T,
| is not abundant. Newspapers are gene-.
| ally antagonistic, and the majority of the
! party leaders in charge of matters are
acting SO lukewarmly to cause grave
| fears of their earnestness, so that this
movement is essential to counteract the
discrimination we have to contend against
| sIhe black list, discharge, or the enmity
or an employer will have no terrors for our
members, because, as 1 said before, ou1
work Will be done legally, quietly and
without publicity
I'VE have chosen the name Minute Men
because they were among the first to take
Up arms for American liberty originally
ana tne present officers have been select ed
chiefly for the reason that they were In a
position where nc discrimination could be-
used against them in a business sense
Specimen Notice,
Continuing. Mr.. Bishop said: 1--WE are
daily in receipt of communications from
local assemblies all over the land telling Ms
| OF notices which are being posted in mills
and elsewhere, warning employees agains,
voting for Bryan, and the following, which
comes from Galveston, Texas is a fail
| sample of all:
Notice: On account of the short cotton
| crop and the general business depression
caused by the free silver agitation, this mil
| Will close Saturday, October g.
Au hands will be paid off Tuesday, Oc
| tober 6. at pm. The management hone
to start the mills again in January. 1t viii
| depend great deal on the condition O,
business at that time and the result of the
| November election. There is very little
| doubt of starting provided Mckinley is
| elected, and we believe it is the duty OF
all who have in any way been connected
| with this mill to use their influence in thai
| direction.
! "McKfnley's election means sound none,
| and return to general prosperity.
| (S1gned) WALTERS S. DAVIS, Jr.,
| Secretary and Treasurer,
| Galveston Bagging Factory,
= Galveston, Sept. 80, 1896"
| The writer of the letter, which inclose6
| the notice, stated that threats of dire re-
| suits to follow in case of the election O,
! Bryan would not deter Texans from votins
for him. and that Bryan would carry Texas
| by large majority.