The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-04-18
ERnM cAlcAEn
HOkus-Pokus IN the Seventh ward.
To the Editor Of the woREH0NAFs ADVOcATE.

I To The Editor Of TIE WoREH0hATs Advocate.
CHICAGO, April IL, 1865.
II must be extremely Notifying to the
respectable portion Of the Democracy of this
city 10 see the shameless proceedings that
sometimes transpire at those broad burlt -ques
upon the rights Of decent citizens, and known
as ward primary elections. So outrageous
have been the frauds at several of the
wards, in the selection of candidates, that
seli-reSpect has compelled some Of them to
decline nominations effected by su ch means,
at yesterdays moekeries, and to join with
honorable members Of the party in calling
Tor new elections, in order that the villainies
so glaringly perpetrated may be corrected, if
possible. ] could mention incidents which
| | witnessed At several Of the voting places,
which would cause any upright Democrat to
blush for his perty. 1t is not my purpose,
however, TO specify isolated examples. In
the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and
Fourteenth Wards all sense Of decency or
shame seemed to be utterly ignored and
the representative men of the party. dis
gusted and amazed, either turned away with
feeling Of indignation, or remained at their
business, determined to have no part in the
dagrant and unmitigated rascality so reck-
lessly carried on BY interested parties and
their chosen or self-consututed eats-paEs
In the reference to the Eighth Ward, il Is
deemed proper and just to state that no al
usion Is made to either Of the candidates.
But perhaps the climax Of infamy was
attained in the Seventh Ward. II is very
well known and has been thoroughly Under
stood by every Democrat-uness it De
some confirmed Ounce or hopeless ignora-
mus-that, by the recognized authorities,
the hour for opening the polls, in each Ward,
vas explicitly stated-"irom Four O'Clock 10
Seven, 2. NJ" But imagine the surprise of
a certain candidate land his special friends)
who, on coming to the polls, found that Off
ciouI parties had the audacity to change the
hour, and commence receiving the ballots Of
crowds gathered there from the elevators rail
road, foundry, machine, warehouse and sim
lar establishments IN the vicinity Of the
river, for that purpose, (nany others being
residents Of the Sixth ard Eighth Wards,)
at ~ about tIo0 O'Clock
For several weeks, byi efforts and for
the espccial benefit, Of certain fsvorites OF
the gods, series Of so-called Democratic
meetings were held, at different beer saloons
IN the ward, r0ue OF which could have had
any other than = very damaging eject upon
the interests Of the pArty--however admira-
by adapted to the expansion Of latent but
irrepresSibls genius, hampered intellect, mar
yelous erudition, collegiate polish, gushing
eloqucnce, and the guzzIing Of "the national
beverage, "der bully lager bier" | say,
these assemblages may have contributed to
enhance the iane Of ''the best scholars in the
ward, and to replenIsh the tiils and purses
Of impecuuious "ytndOTs,D but it is very
questionable whether the wrangles ard brois
10 which they frequently terminated, added
either TO the reputation or strength Of the
Democracy Of the Seventh Ward or Of the
city OF Chicago-although number Of Dem-
ocrAtic gentlemen were, on q few occasion J,
prevailed upon to be present. OF the char
aeter Of