The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-08-27

The contested election case Of Robinson
(Repub) against Shugart (Dem.) involv-
ing the right to the seat in the State SEN
ate from the 21st Senatorial district of
this State, composed of the counties OF
Blair, Huntingdon, Center, Mif1in, Perry
and Juniata, was thoroughly ventilated by
a Senatorial investigating committee last
winter. Such a mass of fraud and cor
ruption was brought to light as to appall
honest men of all parties, resulting in the
expulsion of Shugart from his seat in dis
grace. We propose to take look at some
of the salient points of the evidence elic-
tied.
'Shugart's majority in the district was
% How this majority was obtained in
naturally Republican district is made clear
as the MONDAY sun by the sworn state
mcnts of the witnesses-alI Democrats, be
it remembered, and participants in the
frauds which they were obliged to expose.
A railroad was being built from Phil
6lcarncIdt cUdnry. u man named . Mea-
ra, a sort of boss on the road, testified that
he was approached by Mr.. Collins, con-
tractor for building the road, and by n. NJ:
German, another boss, who confded to
him their intention of colonizing votes
enough III Center county to carry the cleo
ton for the Democrats. In conformity
with this arrangement, about one hundred
Irishmen were gathered up in Clearfeld
county and run into Center county a short
time previous to the election. These
were provided with forged naturalization
papers, procured in Luzerne county
O'Meara swears that these naturalization
papers were soaked IN coffee to give them
the appearance of age. The Irishmen
were driven to the polls on election day,
at Philipsburg, voted the Democratic tick
ct straight, and almost Immediately after
ward returned to Clearfeld county
Coffee as a culinary preparation is toll
erably we'll known. But coffee as Dem
ocratic electioneering agent is rather
new discovery. Beer, ale, and whisky are
generally understood to have always been
popular III Democratic circles about cleo
ton times but, while these have not been
superseded, it would seem that coffee has
become as powerful an auxiliary in multi
plying Democratic votes as either of the
stronger potables named Rye is good,
but so in this case was Rio and it is
probable that to the latter beverage we
owe the election last fall of Sharswood to
the Supreme Bench. The holders of the
coffee-colored naturalization papers all vo-
ted for him, early and often, and there
papers in maay other counties besides
Center.
OMeara further testified that when it
was found that Robinson Intended cOntes-
ting the election, he was brit I'd by one
Father Tracey, acting under instr lctions
from Alr. Wm.NA. Wallace, to leave the
State, so as to prevent his becoming wit
ness in the case. But his whereabouts
were discovered, and he was taken into
custody and required to tell what he knew
in the premises.
The VIM. A. Wallace spoken of, who
looms up into bad eminence as hearty
alder and abetter, if not as the prime in
stigator, Of the frauds under consideration,
was then and is now Chairman of the DEM
ocratic State Committee lie undoubtedly
furnished the money to pay O'Meara to
leave the State driving hard bargain IN