The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1901-01-17
A CHEEKY PROPOSITION.

ic. There IS no doubt about that.
The party managers seem to think
this a sufficient reason for ignoring
the rights of thepeople, so long as
the party interests are fostered
The taxpayers, as such, are quite
secondary to the interests of the
democratic ring. Of all the
cheeky propositions, the following
address to the democratic members
of the Board of County Commits.
sioners, which emanated, it is said,
directly from the St. Cloud Times
office, is entitled to the blue ribbon
"Vote the straight democratic
ticket" in the bestowal of "official
favors," regardless of law, regard
less of public interests, is the plea
or rather the demanded the ring.
No matter at what price, no matter
who" official favors" must be
bestowed upon democrats.
The Times and the Nordstern
confess that they paid $50 each
into the corruption fund of their
party, and now frankly demand
that it be returned to them from
the county treasury-for that is
what the communication means.
They demand the patronage at
their own price because, torsooth,
they paid for it.
To the credit to the democratic
members of the board be il said
and majority is democrats-this
dictatoriaI communication was re-
sented Indignantly. They were in
no mood to jump at the snap of the
party whip in the hands of the
ringmaster of the Times. 1t was
piece of effrontery which they
resented in terms neither elegant
nor mild. 1t was only regretted
that there were not other bids
presented.
The following is the communica-
tion-what do the taxpayers think
of it?
Stearns County Democratic Com
mittee, St. Cloud, MINES Ota, Jan. 5,
1901.
TO the Democratic Members of the
cratic Officers of Stearns County;
Gentlemen: 1t is always held to be
perfectly proper, in an official sense,
as we'll as a party duty, for public
officers to bestow The printing patron
age at their control upon their party
newspapers. These papers, year in
and year out, are advocating party
principles, aud instructing the masses
therein. Without able and loyai
newspapers, our party would be at
great disadvantage. Our national
party leaders have always advised
generous support of our papers, es-
peclally county weeklies.
To support Democratic newspapers
by every legitimate means at their dis
pOsal, is therefore, the duty of Demo-
cratic office holders. What advantage
would it be, in a strictly partisan
sense, to elect Democrats to Office, if
these officials should bestOw their pa
tronage and official fayors upon oppo-
sition papers and opposition men,
bers?
In the late campaign in this county
the Democratic newspapers ably and
effectively aided in carrying the coun-
ty for each and every Democratic NOM
inee. Not only this, but two of our
papers, (the Times and Nordstern)
were assessed and paid to the county
committee fifty dollars each to help
pay the expenses of the county cam
paign. The argument of our newspa-
pers was 'Vote the straight Demo-
cratic ticket" The men CHI osen are
all Democrats, elected because they
were the Democratic nominees. Now
that they are in Office, their motto
should also be "Vote the straight
Democratic ticBet!' in the bestowal
of official favors!
Wherever there is Republican
county board, or Republican county
officers, al their patronage is given to
Republican papers. This is well
known.
The undersigned county committee,
and other Democrats urge alike course
upon our county board and county
officers, as duty they owe to the par
ty and to our Democratic papers. We
know that we here speak the unani
nous voice of the Stearns county
Democracy. We feel that if Stearns
county is to remain Democratic, and
our Offices to be filled by Democrats
much depends upon the work of our
Democratic press.
Therefore, it is the duty of the
county board, county officers, and
Democrats generally, to aid and sup
port our newspapers.
BY adopting this course you may
rest assured that your action will be
unanimously approved by all Demo-
Gratis; will strengthen the party in the
county, and aid in continuing Stearns
as the "Banner Democratic County,"
To do otherwise will tend to create
dissatisfaction, breed discord, weaken
the party and eventually overthrow If,
All of which is respectfully 60
ted for your earnest and kindly con.
SideratiOn.
81. J. Rosenberger,
Chairman.
H. J. Limperich,
Secretary.
w. F. Donohue,
Frank Benolken,
Dem. County Committee.
}. A. Mcdonald, J. M. Rosenberger,
John Knutsen. Peter Spaniel, John