The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-08-03

the Convention.
BY order of the Townsphip Republican Central
COMMITTEE. GEO. W. McckAEf,
July 80, 1859. Chairman.
Ola Plots and Ola Plotters.
The most infamous of oil the Locofoco
schemes of fraud and rascality which have
ever disgraced our nation was that OF the
Poll-book robbery, which came of in Iowa
some ten years ago. The people of this dis
trict marked their condemnation of the crime
in the choice Of the candidate against whom
it was perpetrated at the next election by a
majority Of FIVE hondred votes. But the Lo-
cofoco party has again presented some of
the principal aiders and abet.ors Of that grand
plot of political villainy for the SURFACES Of
the people, and we propose, therefore, to re-
publish some OF the facts and documents, from
which the people will be enabled to form
their own conclusions as to the completely
and guilt Of certain persons now candidates
for the highest efhces of trust and honor in
the gift Of the people of the State.
As that Poll-book iniquty was first clearly
developed through q mistake of Judge Ma
sons, in handing ont the wrong paper to
Dan. Miller when they were taking testimony
in the case, We will re-publish so much Of
Judge Mason's letter, and our comments upon
it, and his defence, as will enable our read
ers TO understand how we and he regarded
the transaction them. fully and freshly re-
vealed to the public.
We quote from the Whig and Register,
as our paper was then styled, of March 7,
1850:
Judge Mason on s.Estrays.''
They will steal anything and callit-purshAse.
rsHAxsrEARE's Henry v.
Convey, the wise il call steal fob fco for the
phrase. Merry Wives of Windsor.
We publish the following communication
which appeared in the last Despatch. We
should have been pleased had the Judge
found it consistent with his "taste' to have
gratifed Us with more lucid exposition in
regard 10 many points about which an anxious
public are still unsatisfed.
"Without expecting to change the course
which the Register seems to have marked out
for itself, beg leave to make statement of
few plain facts, connected with the subject
of the leading article in its last number. In
August, lS4S, paper, purporting to be the
Pol-Book Of the Kanesyille precinct, was
found upon the table of the CLERK Of the
Board of Commissioners Of Munroe county.
He refused to receive il, or to count the vote,
Of which it contained list, and made his
return to the Board of Canvassers according
". After lying on the Clerks table for an
hour or two perfect estray--no one claiming
il, or willing TO ackno~le it as his prop
erty-it was found to be missing. Who re-
moved it, or where it went, never knew up
to the tim when Gas Mr.. Marshall stated in
his testimony last week. it was seen in this
town. About two weeks since, paper which
| suppose to be the same, was placed in my
hands, as the attorney, in fact, OF Mr.. Thomp-
son, and for legitimate purpose.
$50 far as | have had anything to do with
this controversy, il has only been as attorney
for MIR. Thompson. As such, ! have endeav.
ored to conduct it in perfectly fair, courte-
Gus and gentlemanly manner. 1t would BIZ
more pleasant if this endcayor could be re-
cprocated. But if, from taste, habit, consti
tutional popularity, or any other cause, 9TH
ers choose to pursue o different course.
shall not quarrel with them on that account
Every one has in this respect, wide lati
tude OF choice, which | shall make no effor
to restrict. CHARLES MASON
Now let us have fuller statement, thu
material facts of which We know personally
and the remainder of which we can prov
conclusively.
few days after the election, in August
ls4S, it was generally supposed that the vot
OF the kanesville Precinct would decide no
only the Congressional election, but also TIL
political character Of the Senate.
The immense Importance OF the stake t
the Locofoco politicians induced a resort &
the most effective means for getting rid 0
the vote. A caucus Of the magnates wa
held at Burlington, and J. G. Hall was selec,
ed as the person best adapted by ..'hahit an
constitutional popularity" to accomplish III
object. Or, it may be, thatwith views of b
own superiority and fitness for the task,
similar to those which Milton puts into Il
mouth Of the Arch-fend ia the first Grar
Council OF the Internal Regions, he too
upon himself the honor Of thwarting the wi
OF the people OF Iowa as expressed at Il
polls. To this end, be posted with all Il
speed to which suffering horse flesh could
urged, - pate tie arrival VI tue r
turning Judges at the county seat OF Monro
Saturday night he reached his destinatio
and during the Sabbath he matured his pla
with his confederates there.
Before Halls arrival at Princeton, INC
Albia,) the Commissioners Clerk made O
blank forms for the official statement Of /
vote, and included the kanesville precin
He was tempered with and induced to chan
his intention. On the presentation Of ,
Poll-book, on Monday morning, he said
would not receive it, but he subsequently,
peared to wavcr, and finally took the Pc
book in his hand and laid it on bis table
The baseness OF the contemplated act a
the dread Of consequences appeared to ov
como his anxiety to serve his party. Ur
this. the few Wings who were present |
the ofhce In the full persuasion that the j
tees Who were to assist in canyassing
votes xnnld count them. The fear Of this