The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-08-03

nc A0IoA uS from JeHGfSOn lO"H"
ship were received at League head
quarters with cheers. The County
Chairman Of the Independent Good
Government League tilted his hat at
an extra-aggresslve angle, and an
nounced exultantly:
Jefferson gives the League ticket a
clean majority of 10. With Blossim
and Bremen townships to hear from,
the vote stands: For Sheriff, League
candidate, 1884; combined Republican
and Democratic candidate, 6,222, a
majority of 312"
Even as the chairman was speaking
rapid pencils on twenty notebooks
were figuring out majorities for the
other League candidates ranging from
176 to ESQ.
"A clean sweep" shouted Westlake,
enthusiastically. "Of course we've
carried Bloss1m and Brennen-we al
ways were strongest down there"
There are $50 votes at Blossom"
observed Cunningham. thoughtfully,
and almost 400 at Bremen. If they
go against us, it. Is still possible for
our majorities to be wiped out"
oS0AAS~ 10: C11cu " cSLldhc.
why, man alive, they're all farmers
down there who have been robbed by
the railroad for years and know it.
The TACT that the railroad is and al
ways has been behind the courthouse
ring has just filtered through their dull
pates. How can You figure out that
with less than 900 votes, Blossom and
Bremen can wipe out majorities rum
ming up to 1922"
Hamilton, the kicker Of the League,
responded before Cunningham could
make reply.
"Bribery!" he suggested.
"Bribery!" snorted the chairman.
BRIBERY! I'd like to see any railroad
tout try to bride d Blossom or Bren-
men farmer. Why, man, he'd be
lynched. Besides, the railroad ex-
hausted it's sack over the Bloody
Eight Spent money over there like
water, bought votes outright, and
fairly hoated the place with free
beer"
And" giggled a youthful reformer
whose enthusiasm and first appear
ance at headquarters on an election
night, had led him to imbib: not WISE
ly but deeply. "only carried it by
There are" said Cunningham, ig-
nor1ng the youth, more ways to bride
a man than one.'
That's it," agreed Hamilton. "This
hight means more to the railroad than
most OF us realize. The company
must have the Board Of Supervisors,
the Assessor and the Sheriff-as It
has had them for years. The men to
do It's peculiar dirty work in this
country must be men willing to cut
a throat II necessary. A sheriff who
Will stack a jury in the interest of a
corporation that secures his election
will stack jury for pay in cases
where the corporation isn't concerned.
We've seen 1t here for years-we all
know lawyers who select their own
jury In cases In which they appear,
An Assessor who will tighten the as
sessment of the corporation, will take
pay for tightening other assessments.
A Board Of Supervisors that Is to sell
privileges to the railroad is not to be
made up Of men above reproach. A
corporation seeking special privileges
wants knaves, not honest men, in Of
nee. The trouble with our candidates
is that they are too Id honest.
That is why the fight against them
has been so bitter. The railroad will
beat them If money and cunning can
do it,
But money and cunning haven't
done It," broke In Westlake. 1--WE win
by 312."
I'm not so sure about that" replied
Cunningham. They've tricked US
year after year, electing their puppets
first on the Republican and then on
the Democratic ticket. When this
League grew strong enough to count
for something, the bosses of the two
part1es-at the orders of the chief
legal adviser Of the railroad. who has
controlled both parties for twenty
years-united to beat u.s. That shows
how desperate they are. I'm not 60
ing to do any hurrahing until we hear
from Blossom and Bremen"
"Come!" said Hamilton aggressive
ly, It'll bet anybody twenty dollars
even that by some hook or crook
we've lost Blossom township
But before anybody could take up
this attractive offer, the League repre-
sentative from Blossom was an
nounced. He came in a little out of
breath, and somewhat sheepishly-
certainly without enthusiasm. Ha1nil-
ton noted the new comer's attitude,
and started to press his offer, but all
attention conferred on the chairman,
who was eagerly scanning the re-
turns. AS he read. his face fell.
Finally he chalked up on the bulletin
board where the impatient throng
could see: League, ITO; combined
Republican-Democrat. 274: Republi-
can-Democrat majority in Blossom
township, 104."
A hush fell upon the Independent
Good Government League headquart-
ers.
Great Lord!" walled westlake,
when the significance of the figures
had sunk In, that reduces Bron-
strop's majority to H." Bronstrop
was, In point Of votes, at the bottom
| of the League ticket,
And the Sheriffs to 2o8. chimed in
another.