The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-12-13
High-handed Outrage.

The Win Of tbs People set at naught by the
majority Of tie Supervisors Of Wapello
County The VIII of the Minority sub
situted fer that of the Mai rity "A
Saal Imitation Of the Southern Contsd-
eracg!
The Board Of Supervisors Of this county
met on Monday week to canvass the sol.
diers vote for Clerk Of the District Court
and other county officers, and declare the
result. A full Board was present, George
w. Dresser in the chair
The question to be decided was as to
who had a majority Of the soldiers vote
This was to be determined by the official
certificate of the State canvassers. This i'm
portant document was called for and one
was produced which on examination was
found to elect Brown by twenty three ma
jority, contrary to representations elsewhere
heard that Gillespie was elected by twenty
seven majority. The Republican members
instituted enquiries to find out how this
was, and questioned Brown and his deputy
in relation to it. They were obivious Of
any returns but the one elect;ng Brown, Of
course; Gay lord had seen none, and Brown
ditto. The latter gentleman, however, was
required to take swear on the subject,
when, 10 and behold, out come from his vest
pocket another, an amended and the cor.
rect return of the soldiers vote, accompanied
with an official notification Of the error in
the first, and an order to withdraw that and
file the amended and correct one, making it
to all intents and purposes the return.
Upon this state of facts motion was made
to exclude the first and incorrect return and
substitute the second and correct one, where
upon commenced a scene the like Of which
was never seen in Wapello county. II
fairly beggars description. A tyranical and
corrupt majority, in accordance with an evil
IDENTIFY pre-arranged programme, and under
the lead of Dresser, the president, and Bur-
ton, the counsel, with sublime audacity, and
in regular border.ruffian style, proceeded to
put the thing through and to pass resolu-
consummated by giving him a certificate
signed by the eight Democratic' God save
the mark y Supervisors, the six Republican
members refusing to sign. but entering their
solemn protest against the whole Infamous
proceeding.
OF course thereupon was rejoicing and
congratulations throughput the entire democ-
racy. They had done good thing, decd-
edly characteristic one. They were evil
IDENTIFY thinking that there was more than
one way to kill cat, and other means to
carry an election besides stealing the poll
books. 1t was just as vel! to substitute a
false return, and boldly riding over evidence,
law and right, declare tue minority candi.
data the choice Of the people. They had
the power and they exercised il.
But the end is not yet. Small capital is
made out of such rascal!y proceedings
Stealing the poll books, and cheating James
Harlan out Of the Office of Superintendent of
Public Instruction, were main Instrumental
tiles in revoutionizing the State of Iowa,
and the attempt to cheat John E. Gillespie
out OF the Clerkship, will produce precisely
the same effect in Wapello county.
Ofcourse they do no. expect Brown to
hold the Office. They count on the time
necessary to get him out il he has the au-
dacity to hold over under certificate so ob .
tanned. GILLESPIE has majority. He Offer
ed to prove the last esrtii cate correct if the
Board would adjourn two weeks, and to
hold the county harmless from expense if be
failed, which they refused TO do.
What course will be taken in this matter
we do rot know, and this would be no place
to state it if we did We are satisfied af one
thing, that the authors, advisors und ins.ru
ments Of this sSindle will make less out of
it than they imagine. >-
The only q isstlon in this case is, who re-
ceivca the most votes. twill he an easy
matter to demonstrate this so plainly that
the way-farns man, though fool. will be
compelled to real and = Limit it. Let tie
minority candidate hold OF to an otfic, to
which he has no eIuitsble right if he dares.
We sh III see
-