The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1902-05-30
DON'T LIKE THE METHODS,
Howard Editor Opposed to Making a
Sale OF the Commanders POSI-
tiOn of q. A. r.
ton of &. A. r.

sale OF the COMMANDER Posi-.
ton of q. A. r.
Howard Spirit Of Dakota The
contest for the position OF command
er. GA r. OF this department has
developed features rs unique as they
are deplorable. Early in the winter
Ransom post, at Mitchell. by a
resolution unanimously adopted,
launched the candidacy of Comrade
Blanchard, a member of that post.
Later another post brought out Com
rade Reed, of Arlington. Still later,
member of Ransom post has been
travelling over the state "plugging'
against the candidate of his own post.
He called at this Office and solicited
the publication of clipping from the
Millbank Review, which pledged
Comrade Reed. if elected. to pay the
expense Of a band to the national en-
campment, and, inferentially promis-
ing to 'take care Of the comrades
(whatever that may mean, who attend
the national encampment. On asSur-
ance that if we printed the clipping,
it would be coupled with our very
plainly expressed disapproval of that
sort of tactics, he concluded that we
had better not print it.
Monday Comrade d. II. Brown.
commander of Ransom Post. was in
town and he gave us quite another
version of the story. Dave Brown
used to live up here, long enough so
that when he makes a statement of
fact, it goes Among other things
he assures us that the "diSsatisfac-
tion'' in Ransom post toward Blanch-
ard has not gone beyond one man and
that one. man who was present and
consenting when Blanchard was
brought out. Also that the post has
adopted somewhat vigorous resolu-
tion denouncing the treachery
The writer, although possibly en-
titled, as a past commander, to do
so, will probably not attend the en-
campment or take part in the con-
test Indeed, if honors are to be
measured by the length of a COM
rade's purse. he has no desire to take
part.
1t is to be hoped that Comrade
Reed has not authorized the appear
ance to cupidity which is being
made in his name. Stripped of fine
phrases, it amounts simply to an at
tempt to buy the position. Within
he knowledge of this write candi-
date for the office of county assessor,
who published a pledge to donate one
half his salary to the county, if
elected, was compelled by mandamus
to withdraw the offer, the court
holding that it was equivalent to an
offer of bribe. In the Grand Army
of the Republic there IS. theoreti-
cally: no such thing as rank or
station. Honors are--theoretically-
bestowed only IN recognition of
meritorious seryice-certainly least
of all for the accident of wealth.
Yet the only man who has solicited
our support and the papers which
have favored the candidacy of Com
rade Reed, have offered the single
inducement that he is a rich man
and will give the boys return in
money for preference over Comrade
Blanchard who is, it is alleged,
too poor to fill the position properly.
Theoretically the order was in
stituted, chiefly to help those need
ing assistance-nOt to Snub a COM
rade for the crime of being poor. If
it has outliyed those principles. it
has lived too long. But it has not.
The attempt to boost comrade up
by the accident of money is very
likely to add one more to the list of
victims of their fool friends.
We have no wish to disparage Com
rade Reed. We know him personally
and have always regarded, and do re-
gard, him as loyal, brave and true.
We do not believe he is responsible
for those most reprehensible tactics,
but he certainly owes it to himself
and the order to repudiate them, and
to withdraw from the indicate posi-
tion in which mistaken zeal has
placed him.
S1ia tjH RhnnmafiSm Enpad ftan