The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-03-22

The Neal Reasea ef Democratic De-
feat In the Last Pre,Daen.
tial Election.

Col. j. K Hickey, of Missouri, has
written the following letter TO Chair.
man Jones, declaring that the corrupo
use of money during the last CAM
paign caused democratic defeat. and
he proposes a plan TO eliminate ito
use in campaigns:
Hon. J. X. Jones. Chairman OF the Demo-
cratic National Committee.
MY Dear Sir: see all kinds OF reasons
being assigned by the different wise men
OF the country for the defeat OF the demo-
cratic party Some say IL was free sill.
ver: others say II was the attack on the
supreme court. and still others. that our
populistlc assimilation was an objection.
able thing To my mind. there WAS but
one reason-money,
The wealth OF this country was massea
to be used against US. and II was used
against US almost without limit. When
the two great parties OF this country are
so equally divided upon the economic and
other questions before Us, and one party
has millions at Its disposal. and In the
hands OF INSCRIPTIONS and desperate lead.
ers who are without any conception OF
government. except that of a means -
acknowledgements the other party -
almost wholly without money and eschewo
and denounces the debauchery OF the bal.
lot by the use Of H.: In other words. when
this party faces the other only with right
and justice on its side-such conditions
make the result Of the last election an
inevitable consequence. Ii Is absolutely
useless for our party to engage In an
other national struggle. In my opinion. un-
less the use OF money. as II has been used
in the last two campaigns. can be elimi-
mated. The one and the only question 70
be considered. In my mind. Is how can
this be accomplished?
'.In answer to this question there seems
to be one way and only one. viz: Where
the democratic party has possession OF
the state government, let bills be intro
duced in the legislature making 1t a peni-
tentiary offense TO contribute or receive
one Collar for campaign purposes, the
states passing such laws also TO offer .
large reward for each and every convic-
ton. When you have done this in demo-
cratic states. then let the democrats In
states under republican control introduce
similar bills. and IL the legislatures I'M
der republican rule refuse 10 pass them.
the republicans will then stand committed
TO the unlawful use OF money in the con-
troll of elections. They will then be COM
PEELED 10 bear the overwhe lining burden
Of an accusation that they are seeking to
remove the corner stone of free institu-
tions. Il may be said that some money
is absolutely essential TO the machinery
OF elections. | deny emphatically that one
dollar In any campaign need be used In
order TO find out the will OF the people,
Money beyond what is provided by the
state becomes necessary only when tt
Is desired 10 manufacture will Of the
people.
II propose further that this issue be
made the sole issue by the democratic
party until II Is settled. IL Is needless
for me TO say TO you that this is the logical
and only course. II ny conception OF the
situation be conceded as correct. The
wealth OF this country Is now so closely
compacted and knit together that IL can
move at moments notice; and. like .
thoroughly trained army. ready for bat
tie. In the face OF 1t. no sentimental issue.
and no issue however fundamental. such
as imperialism. or constitutional question.
or even the independence of the republic.
will have any influence or any show OF
fair determination. These men propose
20 control everything and make all legis-
iation an expression simply OF their own
will. They propose 10 control the volume
and kind Of money. They propose TO con-
troll the taxing power OF the government.
They want protection for their combIna-
tons and trusts. who rob the people. Ev-
cry -four years they are willing TO spend
enough OF the money taken from the peo-
pie by these combinations 10 AIRY the
doubtful states and assure an election be-
yond question They don't care whether
The parry used IS republican or democratic
In fact they would prefer TO elect a demo-
crat next campaign and to alternate from
party TO party from time to time. provided
only that their policies are duly subscribed.
II have talked with many Of our leaders
since the election. and they fully agree
with me with what / have said to you.
There was more money used in this elce-
ton than ever before. The country is be-
coming accustomed 10 II. Many In the
so-called doubtful states are thriving on
this new Industry. Unless IL is stamped
out we will never enjoy another fair cleo
ton. and the party now in power will never
be turned out until revolution sure enough.
bloody revolution. does IL. Yours most
sincerely.
~ X. RICKEY.
Hoffman House. New York. Feb. 10"