The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1900-10-12
AGAINST LOCAL MERCHANT
State House Ring Diverting
Trade to Their Pets at
Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln Then and No-s-BryaD
Snubs the Populists.

Omaha. Oct. SIT is observed that
the f~usionists are not enthusing very
much over Governor Poynter. Espe-
cially is this true of the business men
in the towns where state institutions
are located.
The merchants in these towns have
had anything but Il pleasant expert
ence under the Poynter administra-
ton. Trade and patronage of the in
situations, which should properly go
to them, has been gradually diverted
to pets and favOrites of the state house
ring at Lincoln. until finally little of
1t goes to the local merchants. Tons
of groceries and supplies have been
shipped from Lincoln to the various
institutions during the last year and
only such trade has beer allotted to
the local business men as could not
well be diverted to Lincoln.
Then, too, the administration Fix
ers' have been very eXacting in deal
ing with the local merchant and very
liberal in dealing with their favorites
at Lincoln. If they treated them both
alike there would be less cause for
complaint, but the contracts are jug
gled in such a way that if a local mer-
chant secures IN he is compelled to
furnish goods at almost cost price,
whereas the Lincoln dealers are al
lowed to make one bid on all the sup
plies and in addition are given other
advantages denied to others. Every
body knows that bids on a dozen or
more contracts at the same time,
meaning the supplying of goods in car
load lots, can be made at a lower rate
than for only one contract involving
only the supplies for one institution.
This is one advantage.
HOLDING UP VOUCHERS.
Another advantage shown the Lin
coin dealers over the country mer-
chants is the holding ""ck of vouchers
and warrants. 1t is Il notorious fact
that bills for groceries from the coun-
try merchants lay sometimes for
weeks before they are passed upon and
allowed, while those of the favOrites
are promptly paid. In the mercantile
trade 80 or 80 days credit is the same
as cash and if merchants succeed in
converting their goods into money
within that time they are enabled to
make considerable of a saving in the
way of discounts. In many instances
the country merchants have lost the
benefit of their discounts through the
failure of the Board to pass upon bills
and remit promptly.
It is openly stated that this failure
is only part of a plan to discourage
the local merchants in these towns
from bidding, in order that the pets of
the state house ring may enjoy greater
profits.
Some may infer from this that the
state is deriving benefit from such
manipulations. This is not true. The
records in the auditors Office show
that the expense of maintaining the
state institutions the last two years
has been greatly increased over what
it was, and is greater now than at any
time in the states history.
Governor Poynter will close his term
with the enormous shortage or defic-
iency of 100000. Not n of the var
ious institutions has been properly
kept up. The grounds, Outbuildings
and the like have been sadly neglected.
Not a dollar has zone for labor in
this direction. All the money appro-
priated has been expended. but how,
nothing short of a legislative investi-
eating committee can explain.
DR.. Tracy of Milford, the physician
In charge of the Soldiers Home, who
was caught paying house rent and of
flee rent in groceries taken from the
state, has resigned and left the state.
His resignation promptly followed the
| exposure.
CRAWFISHING ON EXPANSION.
every Democratic president from JEFF
ferson to Buchanan expressed a desire
for the annexation of Cuba to the
United States.
Monroe while president expressed
himself in favor of annexing Cuba, so
did Polk and so did Pierce.
In 1910 President Polk made a propO-
sition for the purchase of Cuba from
Spain for 500, OOO. 900. Six years be-
fore that. or in 1884. what is known
as the Ostend Manifesto was issued.
and that asserted the right of the
United States to take and annex Cuba.
should Spain refuse to sell.
The Ostend Manifesto was an an
nouncement made by President
Pierce's ministers to England, France
and Spain buchanan. Madison and
Soule) in which they suggested that
an earnest effort be made to purchase
Cuba at a price not to exceed $12O.-
100000, and added that if this should
be refused by Spain W should be JUS
tilted by every law. human and divine,
in wrestling it from Spain if we pos