The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-10-07
GUARD THE BALLOT BOX!

preston Of tho political opinions
Of the lawful voters of Ohio. Here.
toforc there have been fraudulent
voting, fraudulent counting Of the !
vote, and a false and fraudulent
return of the vote in many voting
precincts. Let US take one case
for illustration. AT the Spring
election of 1868, in one of the
townships of Belmont county, the
democratic judges Of election so
manipulated tho vote in counting
it out, that they certified that d
majority of the votes were cast for
tho Democratic, candidates and
that these candidates were duly
elected But enough was known
to justify the belief that the Union
candidates, including the township
trustees, wore in point of fact
elected by the ballots cast. Pro
ceedings we're accordingly entered
in the District Court, sitting in
Belmont county, and that Court
unanimously decided, after hearing
all the evidence in tho case, that
the Republican candidates were
duly elected, there having been a
fraudulent count and false return
by the judges of election. The
New York City plan of counting
votes was adopted, as it appeared
from the evidence. A Republican
ticket was taken up by a judge
and then tho names of the Demo.
cratic candidates read off in the
same wav as if it were a Democratic
ticket. This case is sufficient TO
show that there is scarcely limit
TO the frauds that may bo commit.
ted where Democratic judges are
allowed unrestricted control OF all
that pertains to the deposit and
counting of votes.
One section of the general elec-
tion laws now in force reads as fol.
lows: 's
The judges of the election shall,
if requested, permit the respective
candidates, or one or more, not ex-
ceeding three of their friends, to be
present in the room where the
| judges are, during the time of re-
ceiving and counting out the bal.
lots.
We now and here desire to call
the particular attention of Rcpub.
licans throughout the State TO this
most important duty. namely. the
duty of havmg Republican candi>
dates or one or more political friends
of those candidates present at euery
uoting precinct in Ohio, from the
time that the first ballot is deposited,
until the time that the last r0te is
counted out. Under the law which
we have cited each candidate,
whether on the State or County
ticket has the right to be present
in person, or to be represented By
three Of bis political friends, with
in the room where the judges of
election are seated. Where q writ
ten proxy has been given to anoth-
or by a candidate who cannot be
present in person, it is not within
the power of any judges to exclude
these friends of candidates from the
room where the ballot box is kept,
or prevent them from scrutiniziug
everything that is done by them
Now, il is but the commoncst and
most necessary prccaution against
fraud to detail earnest and fearless
Republicans in every ward and
township for this duty of guarding
the ballot box, and watching closely
the counting OF every ballot. To
be willing TO trust Democratic
Judges 10 pI eserve the purity of the
ballot box, indicates ignorance of
the principles of the managers Of
that party that is stupid and de-
plorable. Moro than five hundred
fraudulent votes were cast at the
October election last year in Co.
lumbus, through tho connivance
and with the assistance of Demo.
cratic judges of election. The re-
turns in three of the wards were
notoriously false and fraudulent
, No Republican was present at the
I counting of the votes in threo Of
the wards. If this thing occurs
again, the Republicans Of FrankIir
county Ray be set down as pre-
eminent in stupidity over all thcil
party in Ohio. But it will not oc
cur again. Onco more we say, le,
Republican candidates, or friends
with written authority from them
be present within the room wher'
h the ballot box is kept at every vot
3 ing precinct in this State on tn,
!. 18th day of October.--S'te Jour
| ----~O<---
! SHEEP SKIN MATs.-The follow
ing is for two skins, and il the di
rec,ions are faithfully followed
will make something nice: Max
strong soapsuds, using hot water
and let it stand till cold; thel
wash the skins in it CAREFUL,
squeezing out oil tho dirt frou
N among the wool; then wash then
's in cold water till all the soap i
:, out. Ncxt dissolve half poun,
:. each of salt and alum in a little ho