The Washington union., 1857-11-11
THE BALTIMORE FRAUDS.

We take great pleasure In laying before our read
the following address of Henry P. Brooks, ESQ.,
to tho voters of the fourth congressional district of
Maryland. Mr.. Brooks states his case in calm,
plain, and straightforward manner and discloses a
state Of affairs in his district Of &c sfI character
as to fully warrant, we think congressional inter,
vention @.a
To THE yoTERs FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DIS
TRICTA of duty compels to contest the right
of the Hon H. W. Davis to the scat in the next Congress
to which he appears to to have been elected the
4th instant The proper legal notice will be given to him
decent respect for your opinions induces to make
brief public statement Of the reasons which determine
me to this
On the day of the election visited most Of the ward
polls comprised in the district in which candidate
for your suirages Ny observation convinced that
the extraordinary arrangements made for that occasion had
failed to accomplish Their primary objectthat of secu.
ring 70 a classes Of citizens the right to vote In most
OF the wards the special police abandoned the polls early
in the day. having found that they unable to afford
that protection to citizens of political sentiment which
those Of curtrafy views seemed to find in power
above the law observed throughout the district that
the political opponents Of the party which had the hon
to represent had provided themselves with tickets
bearing uniform red stripes to be readily distin-
gushcd from the other ticket.
Owing to this fact and to the occasional assaults at the
polls showing, thought, organized and well
certed plan throughout the district for the intimidation
of voters ceased to regard the affair any test Of the
political sentiments of people rcceived during the
day statements from large number of persons the
harsh treatment which they had received and their ina
bilty to deposite their votes.
received assurances from the most reliable sources
that illegal voting by minors and residents of other wards
had taken place at most of the polls and that in
instances persons intending to vote ticket had
been compelled by fear to vote the other.
At the llth ward polls observed the only appearance
of such contest might be termed election and yet
have the amplest testimony, think, to show that the
voice of hat ward has been alike sed with the rest by
illegal and fraudulent The evidence at my com
mand Is not confined to members Of political party
To the honor Of the community be 1t said volunteer
statements have been made to by holding sen-
mcnts in extreme political antagonsm to my own, ex
pressing their desire to rcbuke In any form the
which they have witnessed The duty which have to
perform is proftless and disagreeable one to me.
My interest in it is than that of every ndivd
ual citizen am satisfied that Congress has not the
power to dsposess my opponent Of his seat and confer it
me, nor would accept it if they had but believe
that they have the power to declare that conspiracy
listed to ste the real voice of the people by fraud force
and intimidation and in accordance with that declaration
to vacae the seat. In my judgment, have ample evil
dence to warrant the exercise of this power
II is case rejoice to know unlike any other which
has arisen in the history Of contested elections and
involves the vital considerations of maintaining the pur
ty of elective franchise and preserving the form of
government committed to charge. Thousands Of dis
fanchised citizens desire to lay their grievances before
some tribunal that will rebuke awcssness by law and
vndcae the right of all classes of the people voice
in their government The trust reposed in by their
confidence demands that should give them hearing
before the people of the United States in Congress
bled in this extraordinary mode nasmuch they have
been denied participation in that high council in the
contemplated by form Of government and
laws
lam, respectfully your obedient servant
HENRY r. BROOKS