The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-10-07
ACKSON STANDARD.
REPUBLICANS
Guard the Ballot
BOx!!

1t is the dsty of every good citizen
70 see that there is an honest vote at the
election held two weeks from to-day.
The result announced should represent
the tair and honest expression Of the
political opinions of the lawful voters
of Ohio. Heretofore there have been
fraudulent voting, fraudulent eluntin!
Of the vote, and false aud frau talent
retarn of the vote in many voting pre-
Uincts. Let us take one case for Illus
tration. At the spring election 0i 1853,
in one Of the townships OF Belmont
county, the Democratic Ju'lges Of elec-
ton so manipulated the vote in count
ing it out, that they certified that u
majority of the votes were cast for the
Democratic candidates ami that these
candidates were duly elected. But
enough was known to justify the be-
lief that the Union candidates, includ-
ing the Township Trustees, were in
point of fact ected by the ballots cast.
Proceedings were accordingly entered
in the District Court sitting in Belmont
county, and that Court unanimously
decided, after hearing all the evidence
in the case, that the Republican candi-
dates were duly elected, there having
been 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 evil
dence. A Republican ticket was taken
up by a judge and then the names of
the Democratic candidates read off in
the same way as if it were Democratic
ticket. This case is sufficient to show
that there is scarcely limit to the
frauds that may be committed where
Democratic judges are allowed unre.
Stricted control Of all that pertains to
tho deposit and counting of votes.
One section OF the general election
laws now in force reads as follows:
The judges OF the election shall, if
requested, permit the respective oandi-
dates, or one or more, not exceeding
three Of their friends, to be present in
the room where the judges are, during
the time Of receiving aud counting out
the ballots.
We now and here desire to call the
particular attention of Republicans
throughout the State to this most i'm
portant duty, namely, Me duty ofhaUing
RspE6lican candidates or one or more po-
khOGi friends Of those candidates present at
sVsy voting precinct IN Ohio, from The time
that he frst ballot is deposited, until the
&as that the last vote 10 counted out I'm.
der the law which we have cited each
candidate, whether on the State or
County ticket, has the right to be pres
ent In person, or to be represented by
three OF his political friends, within the
room where the judges of election are
seated. Where q written proxy has
been glEen to another by candidate
who cannot be present in person, it is
not within the power Of Judges to ex.
clude these friends Of candidates from
the room where the ballot box is kept,
or prevent them from scrutinizing eve.
rything that is done by them Now, it
Is but the commonest and most neces-
sary precaution against fraud to detail
earnest and fearless Republicans in ev.
cry ward aud township for this duty Of
guarding the ballot box, and watching
closely the counting of every ballot To
DO willing to trust Democratic judges
70 preserve the purity of the ballot box,
indicates ignorance Of the principles Of
the managers of that party that is stu.
pid and deplorable. More than five
hundred fraudulent votes were cast at
the October election last year at Colum-
bus, through the connivance and with
assistance Of Democratic judges OF cleo.
tion. The returns In three OF the wards
were notoriously false and fraudulent.
10 Republican was present at the
counting Of the votes in three of the
yards. If this thing occurs again, the
Republicans OF franklin county may
Be set down as pre-eminent in stupidity
over all their party In Ohio, But it
viii not occur again, 0ncs more we
say, let Republican candidates, or
fEisuds with written authority from
them, be present within the room where
the ballot box is kept at every voting
precinct 10 this State on the l2Lh day
ct October