Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-10-08
GUARD THE BALLOT
BOX.

1t is the duty of every good citizen
to see that there is an honest vote at
the election held on Tuesday next.
/ Ihe result announCed should represent
the fair and honest expression OF the
political opinions OF the lawful Totera
of Ohio. Heretofore there have been
fraudulent voting, fraudulent counting
OF the vote, and false and fraudulent
return of the vote in many VOTING 1,ra-
cincts. Let us take one case for f1iuE-
tration. At the Spring election Of 1865.
IN one OF bne townships of Belmont
county, the Democratic Judges OF cleo
tion 50 manipulated the vote in conn
ting II out, that they certified that a
majority of the votes were cast for ft,e
Democratic candidates and that these
candidates were duly elected. But
.l nough was known to justify the be-
ileI Inat the Union candidates, iuclud-
ing the Township Trustees. were in
point of fact elected by the ballots cast.
proceedings were accordingly entered
IN the District Court sitting in Belmont
decided, after hearing an the evidences
in the case, that the Republican candi-
dates were duly elected, there having
been fraudulent count and false re-
turn 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 judge and then the
names of the Democratic candidates
read OFF in the same way as If SO were
Democratic ticket. This case is Bufd-
cient to show that there is scarcely a
limit to the frauds that may be COM
mitted where Democratic judges are
allowed unrestricted control of all that
pertains to the deposit and counting Of
votes.
One section Of the general election
laws now in force reads as followHs
The judges OF the election shall, n re-
quested, permit the respective candidates
or one or more, not exceeding three OF their
friends, to be present. in theroom where the
Judges are during the time OF receiving ana
counting out the ballots
We now and here desire to call the
particular attention Of Republicans
throughout the State to this most inn
portant duty, namely, the duty OF hGU-
ing Republican candidates or one or more
political friends QT those candidates pres
ellt at eVeTY UOtiHg 7lreciHct Il Ohio, from
th e time that the first ballot IS deposited
until the time that The last Vots IS coegltsd
O1t. Under the law which we have
cited each candidate, whether on the
State or County ticket, has the right 90
be present in person, or to be repre-
sented by three Of his political friends,
within the room where the Judges OF
election are seated. Where q written
proxy has been given to another by q
candidate who cannot be present in
person, it is not within the power Of
any judge to exclude these friends OF
candidates from the room where tho
ballot box is kept, or prevent them
from scrutiniEing everything that is
done by them, Now, it is but the COM
monest and most necessary preoaution
againt fraud to detail earnest and fear
less Republicans in every ward and
township for this duty Of guarding the
ballot box, and Watching closely the
counting of every ballot. 10 be Will-
ing to trust Democratic Judges 90 pre-
serve the purity Of the ballot box, i'm
dioates ignorance Of the principles OF
the managers of that party that is
stupid and deplorablo. More than nYe
hundred fraudulent votes were cast al
the October election last year I'm Co
lumbus, through the Comnlvance and
with the assistance of Democratic
iudpes of election. The returns in
tbree of the Wards were nOtoriously
false and fraudulent. No Republican
was present at the counting Of the
votes in three Of the wards. III this
thing occurs again, the RepU blicans of
Franklin county may bo set down as
pre-eminent in stupidity over an their
party in Ohio. But it win not occur
again. Once more we say, lot Ropub-
lican candidates, or friends with writ
ten authority 4rom them, be present
within the room where the ballot box
is kept at every voting precinct in this
State on the 18th day Of October.