Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-05-28

the constituencies being much larger thar
those of the boroughs. Next comes to,
boroughs.
Immediately upon the dissolution of Par
lament, the various candidates repair tt
their respective districts and forthwith
commence thorough canvass, which is
kept up until the day of election. The
first duty that devolves upon candidate
is to select some one of the principal hotels
as his headquarters, where he takes up his
abode, entertains his friends, and displays
his banners. His next important duty is
to select and determine the color of the
ribbon, which all his supporters are ex-
pected to display upon their persons and
hang from their windows during the contest.
A committee of management. is next
constituted, and cards of invitation to the
principal inhabitants are issued, inviting
them join the would-be-member in his can.
vass. These preliminaries disposed of, at
tended by his committee, such citizens rs
accept the invitation, and the rest of man.
kind in general, all adorned with the party
badge, the candidate embarks upon his
canvass. Every voter is waited upon and
his support solicited. With the more in
telligent and Independent class of voters,
politics are privately discussed; and with
the lower class argument of a more sclid
and substantial character are resorted to.
All the taverns in the neighborhood are
thrown open, and liquor freely given out to
all who apply for it. All the trades in
town are in turn invited to dine with the
candidate, and all of the apprentices are
treated at his expense.
The canvass having been concluded and
the writs fixing the day of election receiv-
ed, nominations are made. On these oc-
casions, it is the duty of the sheriff to pre-
side. He announces the object for which
the meeting has been called, reads the
writs ordering the election, and requests
those having candidates to propose to an
announce their names for the decision of
the assembly. Speeches by the various
candidates follow, after which a show of
hands is called for by the sheriff. The
candidate receiving the largest display of
hands is announced IS the choice of the
constituency, and if no opposition is offered,
is forthwith declared the regularly elected
member to serve in the next Parliament.-l
Generally, however, the friends of the un-
successful candidates, rise, dispute the JUS
tice of the sheriff. decision, and demand a
poll in behalf of their proteges; the sher-
if complies with the demand and desig-
mates the time and place of holding the cleo
ton.
Then commences a scene which we shall
not attempt to describe. At night the
town is illuminated by the burning COM
bustible matter. and parties wearing the
badge, of the rival candidates perambulate
the streets around.
At day break, on the following morning,
the bugle sounds, and all the troops in gar
rison are marched to point distant not
less than five miles from the polling place,
where they renain until the closing Of the
poll. The mode of voting is vive voce.-l
The party voting enters the election
booth, announces his name and residence,
and then the name of the candidate for
whom he votes; the announcement being
received with cheers on the one hand and
groans on the other. By this means, it is
known throughout the day how the contest
is likely to terminate, and the candidates
are enabled to regulate the price of voters.
The independent class of voters visit the
polls at an early hour; the purchaseable
hold back till near the time fo- closinp. in
the hope of increasing their price.