The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-03-11

asks congress ito retire : the United
States treasury notes." What is left of
paper money? The national bank notes
'only this and nothing more" Here Is
Cleveland doing just what that circular
asked to have done. :
Can such things be-, and overcome us
like a summers, cloud. without our special
wonder?'
Now does it not occur to an ordinary
sensible person to ask? Was that circular
a forgery ?,Is the writing the words of
Cleveland but the ideas the desire Of Wall
street. Are either or both of the old par
ties. dominated by the influence of that
much noted section of Gotham?
Fourth, In the last campaign, the Pop
ulist party boldly charged; that. the Dem
ocratic candidate for governor, was
bought body and breeches:" and as a
candidate of the Democratic party, was
run for the sole purpose of stealing the
entire Democratic suffrage of the state;
that, the Republicans were to pay him
first for his expenses for making
journeys over the state. and telling the
Democratic voters in our commonwealth
to stand by me and / will be elected"
Che writer heard him make that remark
from public platform during the can
vass)-the sum of $4,000. and in addi-
ton If Nelson was elected he, Becker,
was to be reappointed railroad commits
sioner at an annual salary of $4,000 per an
mum paid from the taxes collected in this
state.
This charge was vehemently denied by
both Democrats and Republicans, the
statement being characterized as a base
SANDER, a vicious libel.
Now what happened? Nelson was elect
ed. Becker was reappOinted railroad COM
missioner, and now comes the. great
Democratic Daily Times, and fatty de-
clares,that this reputed bargain and sale
was actually made and the goods deliy-
nc
Republican State Central Commute, and
that the amount was $2,500.00. And there
is not the semblance of denial from any
quarter.
Now in the light Of results, Was the
sale and purchase made? Whose conf
the citizens safety? What is the use of
having the right to vote. if the highest
office in the state has become the object
of trade and dcker, bargain and sale,
purchase and delivery? Who can respect
or believe such leaders? Will Democra tic
voters believe the statement of their
own organ? Will Democrats support a
future nominee while 1.-The gang holds
sway? What is the use of Republican
voters working when the Offices are not
chosen, but bought? Should not the
State Central Committees advertise for
bids? Is it fair to the people who have to
pay the taxes to sell the offices at private
sale?
F'ifth-It was boldly charged by the
Populists that the railroads and pine land
ring were furnishing vast sums of money
to political parties to influence" voters.
From the great party leaders of this
state there came one chorus of denial of
the allegations and defiance of the allie
gators" but now comes clerk in the Of
flee of the Republican state central COM
mittee. who says that the railroads and
j. j. Hill furnished that aggregation OF
a TO no vin f1,n crrry
eral (who have charge of the pine timber
cut 500, being a total from these two
sources of the vast sum Of 200 for 'le-
Ultimate CO campaign expenses To
such charges not a denial even is made.
Now. if this be true, there are a great
many good people who would like to
know who gets the services of these can
didates when elected-the railroad corpor-
ations and the pine land thieves, or the
people of the state. Are voters expected
to vote for a party whose state represen-
tatives are dumb to the charge Of being
deserving of incarceration in the state
penitentiary? Are voters expected to con-
tinue association with parties whom they
formerly believed to be honest, but now
find them, if not themselves thieves, to be
associated with, fed, clothed and housed
by thieves? Are we expected to put our
stock in charge of men who ride to our
barns on stolen horses? Why would a
railroad corporation, as such, contribute
to political campaign fund? Could a
souless corporation have any motive ex-
cept gain in making the contributions? Is
not such contribution a bride, pure and
simple?
Can it be possible, that the concentrated
work Of the corporation and corruption
rings of state and nation HAS ANY
THING TO DO WITH THE FINAN-
CIAL DISTRESS OF THE PEOPLE?
DOES CORPORATE POWER
THREATEN THE EXISTENCE OF
THE REPUBLIC?
What party, during this trying period,
has proven the peoples wisest counsellors,
safest guide, and best friend?