The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-19
THE LATE ELECTION IN BALTIMORE.
IT'S TRUE CHARACTER ADMITTED By THE
OPPOSITION PRESS
MORE RECENT oUTRAeEs.

The recent grUss and unparalleled outrage upon the
elective franchise perpetraed in this city on the day
which should have been honestly devoted to the election
of its mayor and city council deserves than pass
ing notice and ask the privilege Of placing In the coll
umns Of the Union few remarks on the subject. / a.
from the fact that the Union publshsd il Isl the
seat of the national government and from thence circu-
latng throughout the world will be more likely 10
spread what think ought to be known TO the country
generally:
Ist assert that at this time She ats Of Msrynd is urr-
der the control Of organized bas Of desperate ruas
embracing within their number convicted and vcted
felons murierers and thieves say the Stais becanse
as rs we'll known Thomas II. Hicks, the present goE-
ernor aeetd Qyl by the hired clubs Of Baltimore
Oads OF the city Of Baltimore, throughout the whole
State there large majority ayaiat Hicks and but
for the fraudulent vote of these infamous clubs Hicks
woud not now be governor. asass "a e5ssaas
I'd I assert that by more giaring fraud, Thomas
Swami and hraeh Of his friends claim TO be the Mayor
and city council OF this city. 1t follows that fraud
and murderous outrage control and govern the whole
At this enlightened day, and in the midst of country
said to be governed by good laws and Under the influence
OF christianity that such state Of things exist is
really wonderful yet such is undoubtedly the fctno
man Of truth or honor can viii deny it,
This city is divided into hreny wards On the 18th
instant out of these hreg wards were under the
control Of awles, desperate men, banded together by
the names of Plug Ugiies Blood Tubs Rough Skins Sc
AT each of the polls in these wards these rans stood
with Swami tickesthese tickets chequered the
backs in blue ink similar playing cards and in such
manner that they could not be folded up voted with
out its being seen by rufian standing at the pown
dow, who In the eventof ticket being offered chu
Immediately hustled the voter away and others of the gang
knocked him down. kicked him, stabbed him, or shot
him. This Is no exaggerated statement evidence of
these facts to be found only in the complaint
ofthouands of respectable citizens but in remarkable
Of individual outrage, Joel yckers nearly eighty
years Of age Marylander by birth man Of very large
fortune, distinguished for his liberal charities and
spected and beloved by all who know him of the
patriaKchs of the city was brutay and disqracefuy
thp tf.v vnfa In
ward in which he has lived and voted nearly fifty years
and where every honest bows in to his
cellent character and gray hairs Elijah Sansbury also
born in midst former of this city esteemed
and respected Of most valuable and peaceful
aged citizens, was in similar manner in a
manner for he was badly beaten brutally driven from
the polls OF his ward and not permitted to vote 1t Is
not worth while to add to the instances of out
rage which dsgraced the day and which every honor
able man shndders and revolts. Savage life has never
been deored by such tansgressons are now common
In this city Gangs Of awless men, of whom have
been Ia the pcntentiary, and nearly all Of whom
known 20 the police yagnbonds who do not work bat
live BY violating the laws do just they please If they
feel Disposed 20 do so, they attack in the street.
beat him, kick him, shoot him, stab him. Murder in
MEASURE, has lost its terrors formerly sur
prise when bloody deeds enacted now the sur
prise is when bloody deeds do One wonders at
desperado's forbeaance 1t is quite common fur gangs
Of men 10 enter peaceful citizen house and take from
it. in the presence OF the owner, whatever te gang may
desire. The law Of God aud the law OF man alike
tramped under foot Lawlessness knows no restraint
and, worst OF all, the evil is on the increase.
As is very well known, Col. A. p Shutt a Balti-
very worthy man and one who has filed VA
rous responsible stations at the solicitation
Of many citizens, 10 become candidate for the mayor
atty Before midday Of the day OF election he was com
PEELED to retire Hear what hs says this subject
his signature in the Baltimore Sun OF the 18th in
slant:
ro my sad observations o. these exciting
dences of crime with the citizens
from OF
political vengeance by their efforts To appeals
acps ii the shape ar eiecoas were no parallel. h. What wa. naU
% for ,oay 'a . ny regret hnt serious and determined
attended general fearful q lie an
sabmision whatever nerrnces cnnssquencrs per
sonaly cou despite the Judgements friends
ssrsn their attempts TO vote nor
a clubs composed Of desperate men though cy may be .ro
not Responsible for they are but the corrupted dosred
they subject Influence q place and patronage The esf q
poufc not responsible for hr suborinae controlled by
himself aIoue responsible crime. and
minous i not offend His own oath and vslaary prds" 70
protect czens in the enjoyment Of their constitutional rights
well a" sh' hTs are "y srok'a " an outraged community
that the responsibility rests alone With Mayor ssnu To
or wri disregard Of oncial obligations PRIMARY ca4e
OF the Acknowledgement Of cizsns and tho
candidacy imposed upon me as eilzsn interested in the s
fane o. our metropolis speak thus plainly and ru,afa
As will be perceived these grave charges are made
the signature of Col Shutt brave and honorable
man. 1t is the part Of Mayor Swami or
his friends 20 say he they will treat Col SHUTS state
ment with contempt silence. To do 80 il 10 admit
the truth Of the charges The fact that Thomas
Swami is perhaps worth half million of dollars does
not make him. in the estimation Of honorable men less
responsible to the issue which Col Shut presents Hon
est men not TO be hoodwinked or blinded by the
glitter OF mans fortune and venture assert that
before long public opinion viii yindicate itself
HOWARD.
One who has always supported the Amcrican- ticket
writes to the American as follows
81 felt mortified be compelled 10 hand in a ticket
evidently marked the outside that all those who
surrounded the windows motley group OF youths Yeek
ing with liquor--should know who was voting for
shocked OF my old neighbors and friends
who approached the window with tickets sartd ike
mnc cIbowed Of the curbstone and that whatever ar
rangements made by the mayor through the police
protect the purity OF the baotbox and the rights of
voters they appeared to have been wholly neglected.
lFrom the Baltimore American, Oct fslhI
Indeed, for the whole election on Wednesday no
feel deeper disgust and condemnation OF the
scenes and incidents and outrages by which Il was at
tended and consummated than ourselves nor can we
draw any satisfaction from the evidence that the dspo
sition act unjnstly and unfairly evnce on both
date the voters That had all who we're disposed TO vote
been permitted 10 quietly approach the polls and deposit
their ballots, Mr. Swami would have been fairly and e
zally re-eected have not single doubt and IL the
legal votes polled he had unquestionably large maio
rty But that the result it stands recorded in the
returns OF the Judges in any other respect the voice Of
the legal voters ct Baltimore, cannot believe and viii