The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1870-08-18
THE KENTUCKY ELECTION.

Surprise has been expressed that the Re
publican vote in Kentucky Was so small AT
the recent election. But the reason Of its in
significance is now made known. The cleo
ton was 50 conducted that cOlOred men could
not vote. A worse outrage even was perpe-
trated there than We witnessed in this city in
April last, and il is evident enough that it is
the purpose of the Democracy all over the
country to prevent colOred men from voting
by resorting to all sorts of fraudulent prac-
tees. The Cincinnati Gazette says: Evil
dence is accumulating TO show that the late
election in Kentucky was farce. In some
places there were scenes of blOOtshed, and
colored voters were kept away from the polls
by intimidation. In many othcrs-and this
is the policy that seems to have been gener-
ally pursued-the votes of colOred men were
refused for alleged lack of time. The real
facts in the case are slowly coming to light,
but enough has been learned to justify the
charge that the Democrats, in pursuance
of settled determination, did all in their
power to prevent fair and full expression of
the will of the people. They did this at
Frankfort; they did it at Lexington; they
did it at Louisville. q
At Frankfort the registered Republican
votes numbered over six hundred. Though
it was well known the number of votes had
been largely increased, only one voting place
was provided for their accommodation. In
plain violation of the statute of 1858, which
provides that in all elections by the people,
the officers of election shall be equally dis
tributed between the two parties, the Repub-
licans were given one officer and the Demo-
Gratis three. The attention of the City Coun-
ell was called to this matter, and a promise
was made that it should be rectified, but this
promise was not fulfilled. Though it was
difficulty in polling the full vote Of the city,
for breakfast and two hours for dinner. So
much for incidental features Of the election.
Now, how did the election progress? In the
first place, prominent Democratic politicians
stood at the polls Obstructing Republican
votes. A policeman was called upon to keep
the polls free of access to all, but he de-
clined to do so, saying he had no au-
thority in the premises. Neverthe-
less he did pull several colOred men from the
/ steps who were waiting to vote, and gave
their places to Democrats. When there
were Republican colOred votes in the vicini-
~ of the polls, Democratic voters were al
lowed to prevent their approach. When a
colored man did reach the ballot box, he
was asked most irrelevant questions, with
the evident purpose Of so consuming time
that the hour for the closing Of the polls
would arrive before the full colOred vote
could he deposited. Democratic voters were
lifted over the heads of colOred men Who
were standing at the ballot box, undergoing
examination, and colored men were forcibly
showed aside Unlawful conditions were ex-
acted, as well As irrelevant questions asked
Colored voters who succeeded in obtaining
admission to the polls were required to pay
taxes that had never been assessed against
them; others to pay taxes twice for the same
year, and hold receipts for the same; others
who still hold receipts for this year were
asked as condition to voting to pay taxes
for 1869 when no taxes had been
assessed that year against them.
In the way Of Democratic voters
no obstruction was placed. In consequence
of these proceedings, at O'Clock in the after
noon over five hundred votes had been polled
by the whites, and only about one hundred
by the colored men. The total Republican
vote cast was 166, while everybody knew the
Republican strength in the city was not less
than six hundred. The Democrats cast 4lS
votes, and elected their candidates. Had a
fair vote been allowed, the Republicans ticket
would have been successful by $50 majority.
To such an extent was this obstncting pro-
gramme carried out that the cOlOred voters
were advised to leave the polls, as it was seen
they would not be allowed to vote. They did |
leave, and rs soon rs they left the Democrats
who were collected about the polk At ence
separated, and white voters were allowed to !
deposit their ballots in peace
The Frankfort Commonwealth, from which |
We have obtained the above fcts, voucAes for |
their truth, and says they can be eseahished |
by abundant testimony.
From gentleman who vas present 1t Lex
ington on the day Of the election We learn
that the same programme w2 hifhfhlly car
RED out in that city. So ahane3ea vese TIE /
proceedings of the Democratic managers that /
even Democrats Themselves I'll cnlIcd upon /
to rebuke them in indignant terms. he
election was preceded b. IN unpeoyoked and
cold blooded aft.ck On Z euSoesd pruceniua
On Saturday night in MA 10 - Nee
killed. On tie day Il IL s1sultm IL IN
were c3osed faf N hour e 6sak1f tlusan
for two hours q non. n Dap0ieI