The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-04-20

ELEcTIOs AT THE REFORM School
When d b Nichohos vas Superintendent Of
the Reform School, political election was bid
for the information and amusement OF the BOYS !;
and the result was so favorable that several have
been held since.
On the fourth Of April. the afternoon being
quite rainy. the superintendent explained to the
boys, Isl in number, the nature Of the election
then progressing in the city, aud authorized
them to hold one of their o~n, provided It should
be strictly cUnformed to the Law. Accordingly
the Institution was divided into three Wards
the dwellers in the north dormitory constituting
the first. those of the South dormitory the sec
ond, while Miss Ballads juveniles, AZ in mum
Der, constituted the third Caucuses we're held
tor nomination Of City officers. aud also Ward
caucuses Tor nomination of full sets Of Ward
officers. The polls were opened for the thee
Wards in three places III the large school room ::
inspectors of election took their seals: two
clerks at each poll kept a register of voters ::
three empty envelope boxes, with holes cut into
the lids, received the ballots and challenges
we're allowed against every one of, ring TO vote
Who had not been three months in the State,
and tor ten hours in his Ward.
All things being ready, the voting progressed
with much activity and animation, all beng inter
ested except two or three. All bribery, either
at the time or by promises was strictly forbid
den. The boys were instructed that a mans
vote was a sacr, d thing, not to be bought or
sold, but to be cast according to the conscience
of the voter, according to the great principles
Of his party and the merits OF the Candidates
and that il was an insult to any honorable man
to offer to buy bis vote. The prohibition OF
bribery was quite as necessary inside the lnsti
tutisn as il is in the outward world. Human ma
ture is very much the same in boys as in men
aud the sight or promise of a few big apples, or
dozen sticks OF many cOlored candy. might
have been quite as powerful in determining the
result of this inside election, as were the tuB-
bIers of whiskey and bank bills used the same
afternoon in the progress of the City canvass.
The boys were generally conscientious in cast
ing their votes and whel boy with a Demo
crat ticket was asked why he did not vote the
other, he would generally reply, with much ear
nestness, Because this is the right kind; nv
father votes this ticket" and the Republican
boy would make a similar reply.
The polls having been closed, according to
Law, at four O'Clock, the provisions of the Com
piled Laws as to the mode of canvassiDg. were
read in the hearing OF all the inspectors of cleo
ton ; and the votes were counted, compared
with the poll lists, and made to agree and the
number given for each candidate carefully writ
ten down. The canvass for City officers was
then held; and the Democratic party were found
to have not only carried each Ward, but had
elected their Mayor by 81 majority. The feel
ings of the defeated candidates may be better
imagined than described. The Republican can
dilste tor Mayor had been indefstigrble in doing
all that boy could do for the success of great
Republican principles, and his own election and
when be heard the result declared and the shout
of victory went up for his successful opponent,
he could hold in no longer; but turning away
from the polls in infinite DISC ust, with clenched
ass and flashing eve. he exclaimed, /" By gosh
those voters need 10 Be educatsdF'