Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1874 — The “Reform” Party. [ARTICLE]

The “Reform” Party.

Reform was the cry of Lu lifer when he desired to overturn the government of Jehovah. Reform was the’ watchward of the rebel leaders in the late devastating and sanguinary struggle to overthrow the best- government ever gave to man and in the ku-klux and white league murders, rapine and election frauds to prevent the nation’s obtaining the just and legitimate fruits of its success in that struggle. Reform was the rallying cry of the New York repeaters and ballotbox stuffers; of Fernando Wood, Boss Tweed, Vallandingham, et al., and to-day an immense howl for reform is set up in different localities. We look to see from whom it comes, and what do we behold?. Is it men of pure minds, disinterestedly calling upon the thieves, robbers and ruff scuff of the country to vacate the offices they have usurped ? Who needs reform? Here is a specimen of the gentlemen who are to-day bawling themselves hoarse for that commodity and none will doubt their need of it: Mark Jones, Laban Sparks, M. C. Barnes, W. D. Lee, Jno. F. Hall, Dr. Leary and others of La Fayette sent to Democratic, tax-riden Fountain county and imported one J. H. Spence, a Democratic editor to run the independent organ for thisnotable company of worthies,

for the purpose as they informed Spence of making a diversion for the success of the Democratic party. They did not expect a single reform candidate to be elected, but thought to be able to “switch off” enough Republicans to give the Democratic candidates (one of whom was the redoubtable Doctor Leary) the victory. One thousand dollars, and the succession to the subscription lists of the late Attica Herald and the Independent Granger were the price of blood offered him. He was led to believe that the circulation of the Granger was at least two thousand copies. After issuing four numbers of the new paper the arrangement “ker-flummixed” and Spence went over to the “good Samaritan,” Republicans. It was the lack of that honor towards each other at least that used to be understood to exist among thieves that sickened and drove drove him to this step.— When these honorable, high-minded, purity-loving, reform-craving gentry learned that they had piled .it up too high and that they were likely to be exposed, they tried to evade the publication of their direliction by stealing his paper, then “pied” three or four columns of his type and ended by ordering him to vacate. These things led to the publication of some statements of Spence in regard to his connection with these worthies and a narration of his experience with the LaFayette Ku-klux and denunciation us their villainy which has the ring of fervency, at least. But let him speak for himself: “We came in good faith to work fur the gjod of the Independent party, and pub ished four issues of <he Independent tor the party which we mailed to our subscribers and gave the balance to Lee and Ellis to distribute amongst the former patrons of the Granger. Ellis, a defaulter and a reformer, would never let the subscription books of his office come into my hands or th- attaches of my office to make up the ma 1, consequently they tried to keep uie in the dark as to the number of subscribers the- had, but always told n>e I was not furnishing them papers enough, al hough I gave them over one thousand each week.— One day, about two weeks since, 1 had occasion to go into the office of Lee and Ellis, and while there, 1 found their subscription book and counted tha circulation of the Granger and f und it to be less than <>oo copies, this opened my eyes, and consequently I became convinced that they were colb-cting what itle monies caiue in on subscription besides getting away with the majority of the stock paid in. Frequently when 1 called for money and was told that there was nu money in the treasury, Le« would cite me to some one that owed five or ten dollars an wish me to go to the parties and dun them for the amount, which I invariably declined to do, knowing it was not my duty to do so, first because! was a st ranger to the parties and second as 1 was not authorized nor had 1 the power so to do.

I almost starved and b gged and when patience ceased longer to be a virtue with the corru .t < rganization, I cut my boat adrift without bread or water from them and went out on an unknown sea. A pissing vessel hailed me seeing my signal of distress they made for me ano gave me succor. 1 found them good Samaritans, they gave me wate: instead of vinegar, bread instead of stones, and now that they have lifted me up, I would indeed be an ingrate to sink those that saved me. We are taught by a power higher than any earthly tribunal tha' there is a God, and a just one, One, who will not even let a sparrow fall without a knowledge of its going, but we do not wish our readers to understand that this infamously corrupt party known as “The Independent” party is to be considered as a swallow, better let it go down to posterity as a thunder-pumper where its record is written and will forever remain as a stench in the memory of every tax paying and honest citizen ot Tippecanoe county. Of fifteen of the prominent cancandidates or working men in the movement, there is to be found a delinquency of $30,000 dol ars due the treasurer of Tippecanoe county. Farmers, do not take our word for the fact= or figures, but go to the tax duplicate of the county ask your County Auditor or Treasurer if such is not the case. I have issued four numbers of the paper and have recived from Lee & Co., about $250. They were very s ack in their payments and wanted me to go around and collect. I had to borrow money of Joh i S. Williams & Son, and they have been very k n<l to me. There has been some talk of consolidating with the Journal, but I never entertained the idea. To add to my troubles a cert in Doctor Leary, whoes name appears cn the Democratic ticket, was invited to my house to see mv wife professiona ly. He grossly insulted her * ***** My wife informed me of the facts immediately, and I went for him with a club. 1 found his office fluor locked, but satisfied that he was c ncealed within, I forced the door and found the serror-stricken scoundrel * * * He begged, but I gave him a good bea ing. He escaped from the room and scaling a fence near bis office* sought lefuge under a bed m a private house. Satisfied beyond a doubt that the Independent was being use tto elect such creatures as this to office, I washed my hands o' the whole affair. I have done sme dirty work for the Democratic part in my day, but never in all the history of that “putrid remiuicense” in tax riden Founton county, have I been caught in any business quite so nasty. Ism done with it. The prominent leaders in this Independent movement have not h sitated to say to mo that the whole design of this side issue is to beat the Republican ticket. The-do not expect to elect asingle manon the People’s ticket, and they know it. 1 would rather starve than to degrade my pen and press toar»id like this. My thanks are due to some o' your noble-minded citizens, whose politics I never asked, but who hate a mean thing and uphold my hands in repudiating this disreputable alliance. I Have Voted the Democratic Ticket fob THE EAST TIME, SO HELP ME GoD.

J. H. SPENCE.

This, voters of Jasper count}, is the kind of a “people’s ’ party you are called upon to support. Will you do it ?

The pending contest ia this State on the temperance question is regarded with special interest by the liquor men ia all parts of the country. In no other Stat«is 'he issue so sharply defined. The triumph of the Democratic party will be construed by them a> a victory for whisky, and justly so. The effect of such a victory will make itself visible throughout the Union in the temporary discouragement of the friends of temperance and good morals and in the corresponding election of the friends of free whisky. It is not surpri ing, therefore, tha£ they should open their purse-string freely in response to the Democratic demand. It is pre-eminently their fight, and they know it.— lndiawryolis Journal.