THE ALLIANCE-INDEPENDENT.
ousiness neglected ana their money
squandered while a selfish contest is
waged between two individuals, to end
perhaps in defeating the will of the
people, smirching the reputation of the
nan elected, ana blackening tne fair
name cf those holding the balance of
pjwer.
This mry seem to some a3 a state
Hcnt merely of fiction which the facts
9 ill not warrant. To such I say I have
3ealt in no fiction, but have outlined in
a general way facts as experienced by
many states of this Union, and by some
more than once; and I call your atten
tion to Kansas as one of these. In 1873
in the senatorial contest in that state,
a member of the legislature received
$7,000 as an inducement to
vote for a certain Individual
for United States Senator afterwards
laid the money on the speaker's desk,
refusing to keep it.
This was followed six years later in
the same state by a contest no less dis
graceful and notorious; and from the
west, north, south and east come tid
ings from time to time of like unsavory
elections, by which the birthright of
the people is filched from them through
bribery and fraud.
Benton's predictions that all elections
-would degenerate into fraud, as tho re-,
sult.of intermediate elective bodies, is
not only borno out by tho history of
'Other governments, but has been ful
filled time and again from every part of
our own land since the above words
were uttered on the floor of th senate
chamber, and from that day to this the
contest between the man and the dol
lar as to which should govern this coun
try has gone steadily on, with the odds
at this time decidedly in favor of the
dollar, and dailybecomlng more so.
Mr. Chairman, I am on tho side of
the people in this unequal contest. I
thereforeo support this resolution that
seeks to change a sys'em that is un
questionably on the side of tho do'lar
and against the people by permitting a
lew to cast the votes ot the millions,
thereby making it possible for the
wealthy corporations and trusts to pur
chase votes sufficient to placo an un
scrupulous, pliant tool, in the United
.tates senate that would do their bid
ilng and seek to influence legislation
il their interosts, giving them privil
eges and advantages over others that
id one can have without violating the
Jrst principles of government.
It is quite pessib'e for those who
,!have their millions to bribe one. five,
ten, or twenty votes even in order to
-accomplish their ends, but it is not
possible to bribe a whole state, hence
the wisdom of adopting the popular
vote in electing all legislative officers.
Tho question of universal suffrage
was discussed long and earnestly in the
federal convention, and the present
method of electing United Sta'es sena
tors was a compromise between the two
extremes, one side holding for direct
popular suffrage without any restric
tions, and the other contending for a
property qualification.
Mr. Madison, in commenting on the
above situation, held that while at that
time a majority of the nation were free
holders, that the time wrould come
when the majority would be without
land or other equivalent property,
and called attention to the danger of
property holders, allowing that kind of
"-a majority uni'estricted suffrage. Mr.
Itfadison's prediction as to the diminu
tion of numbers of property hoMers of
the nation is only too true,
and becoming more apparent every
-day, but he in his rea
soning did not seem to grasp the idea
that legislation would or could have
-anything to do with bringing about
this result or that restricting the pop
ular franchise would or could in any
degree bo responsible for the aggrega
tion of the property of the country in
liands of the few. Nevertheless, we
; are fin ily convinced that if it had not
Ixsen for the legislation that gave 191,
'000,000 acres of the people's land to the
trailroad corporations more of the peo
iple would have homes; if it had r ot
been for the wicked, vicious finam ial
legislation in the last twenty-live years
more people would own the property of
our country. If it were not for the un
just tariff laws of the past and present
Sy which certa'n classes engaged in
certain occupations are guaranteed , a
profit while all other classes have not
;ir cnancet on profits.
nniv,Tr runtm
profits, there would undoubtedly be
more properly owners.
But for the unjust, discriminating
legislation of tho past that gave special
privileges in tne wav or subsidies and
grants of different kinds to a favored
few, by which wealthy corporations
have builded up and become possessed
of tho necessities of the people, thereby
enabling them Jto charge extortionate
prices for the same, there would be
many more homo owners in this fair
land. Ia short, Mr. Chairman, if all
classes of our people in the years gone
by could have been represented la the
halls of congress fairly, and alike, no
class receiving any advantage over an
other, millions of people , would have
good, comfortable, happy Homes today
who are eking out a miserable existence
and paying tribute to some landlord or
corporation for the privilege of doing
it. I cis state of affairs is not conducive
to the well-being or happiness of hu
manity. Hence a general discon'ent
prevails, and the people are earnestly
seeking the cause and remedy, and the
day of reckoning is coming.
If, then, legislation is so larerelv re
sponsible for the welfare and happiness
of the people, and we think it cannot
be successfully disputed, is it not time
they were watching with jealous eye
their lawmakers, and taking the neces
sary steps to secure that equal repre
sentation to which the verv humblest
citizen is entitled? This can .not be
dono tuccessfully till we change our
present method of electing our legisla
tive, executive and judicial officers: and
I look upon thependng resolution as a
wise, conservative, and recessary step
in toe direction oi reforming along this
line, that I hope in time may result in !
a complete revolution ia the exercise
of the elective franchise by the people
through which every man, woman and
child who is honest and willing to work
may have a comfortable home and the
necessities of life. Sir, when that can
be done, we have solved tho problem
of self-government, fixed it on a sure
foundation, estab ished the spirit of the
Declaration of Independence, and so
long as maintained no power on earth
can overthrow it.
A LIBERAL OFfER.
Two Pine Hogs Worth $25 00 Each to be
Given Away.
Bischel Bros, of Kearnoy are proprie
ors of the U. S. Tecumseh Corwin Herd
of Poland China hogs. They aro also
enthusiastic workers in the people's
movement. In a letter received a few
days ago they inako the following offer.
To the person raising the largett num
ber of subscribers to tho Alliance-Independent
before Sept. 1, '92, they will
ship the first choice of their spring pigs;
and to the person getting tho second
largest club they will ship the second
choice. These pigs will be worth not
less than $25 00 each. They will be
about five months old. They are bred
froin stock selected from the best herds
in Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio and
Nebraska. They aro as good as can be
found anywhere. Their hogs are main
ly of the U. S , the Corwin and Tecum
seh strains of Poland Chinas.
The editor of the Alliance Indepen
dent is well acquainted with the Bis
chel Bros . and can vouch for the gen
uineness of thi3 offer, and the reliability
of their representations.
Here is a fine opportunity for some
patriotic independent to help on the
cause of reform, and improve his stock
at tho same lime. Who will try it?
Let us hear from you at oace. We will
accept sucribrs under this offer for
one year, fix month?, or for the cam
paign. One yenrly subscriber counts
as much as two for six months, or four
for the campaign. If you want to work
for this premium, maik every list you
send in "For hog premium."
Alliance Publishing Co,
Lincoln, Nebr.'
One of tho best songs wo have for
campaign purposes is "The Alarm
Beat." Itis the trumpet call to astion,
and Will arnnsn intontA nnlhiiciqcm
See Price in our advertispmnnt of cam
Our Campaign Songs.
songs:
Have you heard them our splendid new sheet music campaign
They are creating great enthusiasm everywhere and are proving an immense
power in awakening the people. Our uational leaders are delighted with them
and are urging that.glee clubs be organized in every school district to sing
them. , .
The editor of The Aew Forum, writing regarding our sheet music series in
his last issue, says:
"There is no featu-e'of a political campaign tbat is attended with so much
interest and that puts an audience in so fine humor as the singing of good cam
paign songs by glee clubs. A quartette of good voices can sec an audience wild
with enthusiasm with a song or two."
Tho people cannot help being drawn together and aroused to intense en
thusiasm by these songs of freedom,by their fresh ringing blows against oppres
sion, tneir "words that burn" for justice, their melting strains and awakening
martial music. They breath fraternal sympathy and purest loftiest patriotism.
They contain keenest wit and brightest humor, and their uncovered truths and
stinging sa'casm will have irresistible effect upon the ranks of the enemy.
WHAT our best critics say.
The Arena, "the greatest of nineteenth century reviews," has devoted
four pages to a review of Mr. Gibson's songs and says of them:
"The songs ju5t issued for the industrial millions will, if we mistake not, add
tens of thousands of votes to the ranks of the People's Party.11
Mr. Flower then quotes stanzas from "Sons of America," "Truth's Ap
proaching Triumph," "That Honest Dollar," "Get Off the Earth," and "God
Save the People." Of the last he says: "It breathes the spirit of the new
democracy, the coming brotherhood." He also quotes from the song "The
Millennium Army ' Mrs. Lease's favorite) and says of it that it is "a song which
breaches the new vital spir.t which U thrilling millions of hearts at the present
time, " 'These extracts," says Mr. Mower in closing, "give an idea of the cam
paign songs which will be sung by hundreds of thousands of people at great picnics,
which will be held all over thfl west and south between now and November."
Our candidate for vice-president, Gen. James G. Fields, has this to say of
our song:
"They are indeed the voice of the people's party and industrial classes.
They contain the pure gospel of industrial salvation and are calculated to move
the people mightily."
Hon. Ignatius Donnelly writes'- "I am in receipt of ycur admirable collec
tion of songs. Tkey should be sung everywhere."
We have space for only a few newspaper comments below:
"Excellent productions." Nonconformist.
"The sentiment of these songs is grand." New Forum.
"Full of fire and earnestness." Kew Republic.
"Ought to bs in every household in the land." Omaha Tocsin.
"Admirably suited for campaign songs." President Loucks in Dakota
Ruralist.
"Campaign poetry is tvlmosi invariably doggerel but 'Songs of the People'
are an exception." Labor Herald, of Fort Wajne, Ind.
.The words and music of this song series are much above the average so far
produced by Reform poets and singers. If you want eloquent words and stirring
music send for these pieces." Marion Ind.) Independent.
"bhould be m tha hands of all lovers of liberty." Journal of the Knwhls of
Labor.
Stirring songs for the reform movement. They differ from some others in
use in the fact that they are full of good ideas and good sense." Ventura Unit of
California.
Every people's party club ought to have them.-Wallace Herald.
Should be in every neighborhood in Kansas. Norton Liberator.
All are full of earnestness and fire for the cause of the people, and many of
them will no doubt have wide circulation. They show poetic talent far beyond
the ordinary, and during the coming campaign they will wake the echoes all
over the prairies of Nebraska and the West. Lincoln Daily Call.
Mrs. Ella W. Peatlie, one of the most brilliant newspaper writers, review
ers and critics in the country, in the World-Herald of Sunday, July 24tb, writing
of poets, "calls up George Howard Gibson, who has been writing campaign
songs for the people's party," and says:
It i3 a difficult matter to write a campaign song. It has to be written for
the masses. It must be simple and terse and taking. Therefore, it must not be
hampered with refinements. It must contain truth, or the people will not re
spond to it. The rhymes must ba neat, the lines natural and ringing and
music ea9y. Mr. Gibson has a "knack" for this kind of thing, and his songs are
likely to be sung by glee club3 in every state where the People's Partv has a
foothold. And glee clubs mean interest, and interest means votes. When a
cause gets to be the one of the common people and they get to singing songs
about it, there is a lot of fire along with the smoke.
Now is the time to send for this music and get glee clubs to singing it
everywhere.
Order at once and awaksn enthusiasm in the party ranks. Additional songs
will soon be ready, including "Timothy Hayseed," "The Money Power Ar.
raigned," "A Politician Here You See," etc.
The Workers' Bat'le Hymn of Freedom ." 35
Right Shall Reign 'ok
The Weakest Must Go to the Wall '
m i m . -i a i . j i 11 JtJ
j. no xaxpayeis oetxie me is: us
Sons of America
Get Off the Earth "'"!
Tho Flag of Liberty
The Coal Baron's Song !!'.!!!!!!.'!!! 35
Truth's Approaching Triumph oa
God Save the People
We Have the Tariff Yet !"'.!!!'.!!.'!!!
The Alarm Beat
The Millennium Army
That 'Honest Dollar' .'.'!.'!! .'
Losses and Lies
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35
35
We have a pamphlet contain'ng the words of the above which costs
tin cents per c"py, twelve for a dollar. ;
.30
.30
.35
.35
.35
.35
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