Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-10-14
From the Ohio Statesman
THE ELECTION.

AAAA 4Ah04AVN'
How "a was Conducted in Military Camps
The vote az Tod Barree ks-nenia-
Box Smashed ne Camp ChSae-Beauties
Of the soidters' Voting Law.
1t may be of some interest to the people OF
Ohio to know how elections arc conducted in
the military camps in this State, from which "a
fair Judgment upon the manner in which they
are conducted IN other States aud distant
camps may he formed. From the incidents
which occurred yesterday the people OF the
country may learn how soldiers in the armies
of the United States are graciously permi tied
to exercise the right Of suffrage without inter
ference or hnderance.
Yesterday, Mr. Cox, the Democratic candi-
date for Congress, and Mr. +. +. Bingham
Chairman OF the County Central Committee,
repaired TO Tod Barracks TO see how the elec-
ton was progressing aud supply those who
wished them with Democratic tickets. They
found the soldiers voting in room in the
Barracks in which sat Mr.. j. j. Janney, Char
man OF the Abolition Central Committee, sur
rounded by tables covered with Republican
tickets An officer in charge respectfully
greeted Messrs. Cox and Bingham and gave
them permission to distribute Democratic
tickets to whoever desired them. Mr.. Cox re-
tired, leaving Mr.. Bingham on the ground
and the latter stood in the yard giving tickets
to all who asked them, The soldiers gather
ed around him, asked him for tickets aud some
thirty OF them were voted Mr.. Bingham said
nothing on political topics, and was treated re-.
spectfully and civily by the soldiers. After
an hour thus spent Major Skiles, command.
ant of the barracks, approached Bingham,
touched him on the shoulder, and roughly
aA k,yt hot mt hn xuaa
perempiorly ordered him from the yard, say
ing he wanted no electioneering done there.
Mr.. Bingham attempted to explain that per-
mission had been given by an officer but
Skiles abruptly refused TO listen 20 an explain
| alton The officer who gave the permission
approached and Mr. Bingham referred the
Major to him. Major Skiles roughly inquir-
cd bywhat authority he had introduced the
gentleman The officer made no reply but
walked away. Mr. Bingham said that Of
course the Major would treat both parties
alike, and that Mr.. Janney who was there in a
similar capacity, would also be excluded.
| Major SKiles, pretending not TO know that Mr..
Janney was there, said If he found Mr.. Janney
/ there he would exclude him Mr.. Bingham
rsmarking that there might be time when
he would meet the Major on terms Of equality,
bid him good day Major S replying that be
was responsible for what he did.
| Mr. Bingham in passing out net Mr.. Cox,
who expressed curiosity to return and see
for himself how the affair stood He met
with similar reception from another officer
who stated that Major Skiles was not to be
seen and that Mr.. Cox could not be permitted
remain there. Mr. Cox asked the officer
name but be refused to give it. Mr. Cox re-
tired, remsrking that the day would probably
come when such officers as the one he address
ed would discover themselves under differen
Administration. This ended the election ex
: pertinent at Tod Barracks, the inmates o
, which had about as fair chance to vote B
the French people had when Louis Napoleon
was elected.
We are informed by number Of soldiers
and others from Camp Chase that an election
} poll was opened there, and that the numbe
|, Of Democratic tickets was extraordinary, on
Of them placing it at as high figure as l,s0C
II appearing that the Democratic voters wer
r in the majority, the'Republican voters, instiga
ted and encouraged by their olficers made 4
rnsh for the ballotbox, seized it and smashe
it to pieces We are credbiy informed tha
one Of the judges of the election preserved tn
poll book, and still retains the evidence of thi
D disposition to vote in favor of Democracy and
Union.
These incidents will suffice to show by wha
means the election was carried in this Distric
and throughout the State No comment upo
:, these facts need be added to give force to th
D startling state of affairs they indicate.