The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-04-05
), INFAMOUS ELECTION oUTRAGEs.
The Rascality of old Line 1eaders.

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The Rascality of Old Line Leaders.
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The corrupt, office-grasping, lawless spirit
Of the leaders of the Old Line party, has rare
ly been more forcibly and disgracefully illus
trated than by the late transactions in regard
tothe Governorship of Wisconsin. Barstow,
Democrat, and Bashford, Rep, were opposing
candidates for Governor at the last election in
that. Barstow was declared by his of
fetal adherents and sympathizers to be elect
ed although it was generally known, and
afterwards legally proven, that his party had
been guilty of the most outrageous election
frauds and corruption, and that he had not
legal majority. But supplied with certificate
from the proper authority, Democrat, and in
theface of his election being contested, he at
ohcesusurped the place of Governor. No per-
s9as have condemned his course in this, and
his subsequent actions, more strongly than
many of the decent and intelligent Democrats
who voted for him. Bashford, to legally test
the matter. and satisfied of his own election,
took the oath of Office at the same time Bar
stow did, and formally demanded possession
ofthe chair, which was refused. Bashford
then referred the subject to the Supreme Court
Rarstow also appeared before that Court, but
denied its authority to act, and boldly declared
himself the head of the State, and above all
judicial authorities-wth the same right, and
no more, that any ether man might have as
stunned the same position The Attorney Gen
eral was pimp Of Barstow's, and did every
thing to postpone the affair in Court. Bar
slows counsel boldly asserted he was Govern
or, and as such above all law and Courts Even
the Democratic Board of State Canvassers de-
clared the same thing But the Court viewed
the subject differently and declared the case
should be tried and determined on its merits.
Barstow babe them defiance, and obstinately
and disgracefully held on To the office, notwth-
standing the people of all parties boldly spoke
out their indignation at his course But he
was sustained by the leaders of his party. He
sent message to the Legislature expressing
his Indignation at the Court and calling upon
the Legislature to assist him.
The last day allowed for the plea, Bashford
craved for judgment by default, when the At
torney General, after many e7asions, refused
further to prosecute the case on the part of the
people Bashford's counsel denied the Attor-
ney's right thus to throw another party out of
court. The court proceeded with the investi-
cation, when it was discovered that Bashford
was actually elected Governor, by over thou
sand majority. The Supreme Court rendered
a writ OF custer against Barstow, and estab-
lished Bashfords claims Barstow perceiving
that all the better part of his party were
against him, and that the indignation of the
people was rising, at last sent in his resigna-
ton to the Legislature, which body being
Democrat, had been sustaining him. Mr.. Nc
Arthur, Auditor, we believe, now stepped in
to-Barstow's shoes, and claimed to be Govern
or, by virtue of his Office, in case of the resig-
nation of the Governor. Gov. Bashford took
the oath Of Office Macarthur refused to give
way, and asked Bashford if he would use
fqnceif necessary, signifying he would use
forcgto keep in. Bashford sent his message
to the Senate. The House refused to receive
it! We believe Bashford has finally triumph
ed, although the Assembly adjourned to pre-
vent his message being received. This illus
trates just precisely what kind of Democracy
the leaders of the Democratic party advocate.
Office is their whole object-the beginning and
end of their principles--and to obtain this,
they would crush law and order.
Below we give few specimens of the frauds
perpetrated to elect Barstow. We clip from
the Gin. Times:
In Chippewa county, where the vote stood
Bashford 81, and Barstow "a, the State Can
vassers. gave Bashford ", and Barstow 121.
The added votes purported to come from
Bridge or Briggs creek-a supplement- eivin o
Barstow 81, AMI Bashford %. The peDer Of
the Bridge creek returns a0as the same as that Of
the Spring creek and Gilbert NILS ret4rns--a ne.
culsty small sized .foolscap. He wished the
Court to note especially the hand writing of
the Bridge creek returns, particularly the fig
ures and the signatures. In both the Spring
creek and Gilbert Mills returns--though pur-
porting to have been made an hundred miles
apart--thc word inspectors had first been
wfitteff In the afiidayits and afterward scratch
ed rand the word ''clerk' interlined. The same
nistaEe. The same correction, and The same hand
sorihng,v
-zAzroturns from Douglass county stood SO