Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-04-13


Our defeat on Saturday last may
b. attributed almost wholly TO ne op-
pesasioa Of the winding Psov'''ons OF
the twenty fourth section ofshe amen
ded charter.
The people were at the time voting
upon the question, whether, or no, the
amendment should be adopted.
Yet notwithstanding the fact that
the charter was not in force, but re-
NAMED as it we're, in allegiance, depend
ing upon the action Of the peoPls-the
Republican Judges Of Election, subject
ed each voter to the tests, which were
provided for elections, to be held un-
der that amendment, if adopted.
Naturalized citizens we're compelled
to produce their papers, and persons
who on the third day Of this month
were voters in the city and still resided
in the same spot, were on Saturday
last, disfranchised.
The Judges Of election in one Ward,
not only in this illegal manner enfor-
ced the provision sof an act which had
not yet become law; but even went
30 far ~ to frame rules of their own, as
to the qualifications necessary, to emit
tie citizen to vote.
During the earlier part Of the day
they strictly enforced the tests OF the
amendment but afterwards becoming
satisfied that they were acting illegal
ly, they modified the rules by requir-
ing residence Of four days, instead of
thirty, as a requisite.
They also allowed persons to vote
upon the amendment; but refused to
allow them to vote for the officers to be
elected under it
The whole amendment is most
barefaced swindle upon the commune
ty, and this premature enforcement Of
its stringment provisions, is an un-
heard-of outrage.
The whole object Of the Republican
Party in procuring the enactment ofthis
charter, was regardless OF the rights
or wishes of the people, to gain the
control Of the city government.
Their intention was to marshal their
whole strength on the third instant,
and if successful in electing their city
ticket and a majority Of the council, to
vote in body against the amendment;
but il unsuccessful, to proceed with the
election on Saturday last, and have
another chance for the victory.
Had we be been united among our
selves on the third of April, We should
have defeated them; And had the
election on Saturday last, been fairly
conducted, tie Democracy would have
been successful second time but on
the one occasion, by fostering differ
ence which arose in our ranks and Oh
the other, by enforcing law not yet
in existence, they gained the victory.
The large number Of our citizens
who were thus summarily deprived Of
the rights of frcemcn, will not pass the
matter quietly.
We understand that a prominent cit;-
zen, whose vote was refused, on the
ground that he had not been for thirty
days a resident of the Ward wherein
he offered his vote, will within few
days bring an action against the judges
of election of the Fifth Ward, for dam
ages.
We endorse his course, and advise
every Democrat who has been dcpri
we'd Of his most sacred privilege, to fol
low his example.
lfappeals to the common sense and
reason Of the Republican Party will
not secure, to us, our just rights, let us
see what virtue there is in an appeal to
their pockets.
This course will, we think, enable
them to see the rights Of others, with
an astonishing degree Of clearness; and
will so enlighten their understandings
that hereafter they will wait until law.
are adopted, before they attempt to en-
force their provisions.
The amendment to the charter, anC
the course which the Republican Par
ty have pursued under it, although il
may be of little present advantage te
them, will ultimately, be their ruin.
The bad policy Of forcing an object
ionable law upon the people was prov
en- in the case of the New York Police
bill.
The Republicans, by their action il
that matter, lost the control of the
State Of New York, and the result in
this case will be to ruin forever theil
reputation in the State of Iowa.