The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-14
TIE FURRY In RHODE ISLAND.
The Recent Congressional Election Was
Money the Main Element Hub
bub on the Plantations.


To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:--
The recent defeat OF Civil Service Jenckes for
seat in the next Congress has furnished food for
certain persons who live by the patronage he has
dispensed TO them Ia violation Of all the principles
II his civil Service BILL wherewith TO laud that gen.
teman In the newspapers and otherwise at the ex.
pense OF the successful candidate, the Hon. Bena-
min I. Eames, and also to strike beyond Mr.. Eames
vlifying the Hon. william Sprague to whom is
given the credit by these persons Of furnishing the
means by which the Hon. Mr.. Eames was enabled
SO thoroughly TO cxtinguish the Hon. Mr.. Jenckes.
So version Of the situation will not be out
OF place. especially as threats made that the END
is not yet.
The Congressional Convention, In which Jenckes
received but thirteen votes OF fifty broke up
without nomination after lfty fermal ballots Mr.
Eames leading all through and coming three times
within two votes OF receiving o majority, when, by
vote OF the Convention, III which the Jenckes fac
ton voted aye, 1t adjourned without day, the whole
matter being referred directly the people There.
upon Mr.. Jenckes, under the egs Of the Providence
Journal, watch is the organ OF Senator Anthony,
seeing no possible chance for himself, planned TO
defeat the election OF anybody else by efecting a
trade, In which Mr.. Thomas Davis, husband Of Mrs.
Paulna Wright Davis, should run, making, with the
democratic candidate and Jenckes himself four
parties in the aeld, and requiring by the Rhode
Island laws, q majority ever Gil TO elect The plan
looked o su cess but as the result proved failed
most signally.
Jenckes opened the campaign In speech at
Howard Hall, IN Providence, by most atrocous at
tack on Senator Sprague, who supported the Eames
ticket, in which he accused the senator and other
gentlemen OF high standing III Rnsde Island Of
trading with the enemy during the war Oh the re-
beIlion. The effect OF THIS charge was at once
thwarLed by General Dix, who indicated the Sena-
tor and all concerned from all the charges In letter
written with the speech before him. aE0 which is
looWs:--
DEAR Just received letter of yesterday.
dence The 2Sh u making charges Of dIsoyay against
% III The aa
the rebellion Az name Is connected with this
tie soyernsn, was called to d. deem simple act Of
tie no as for n a
ngs against them ssrs y military s, court On the
VIM f. .eynosds one Of the gsassmsn referred e
censne and expressing my regret a. the hsd
caused h in the performance Of duty as considered it.
cv strife ami which leave only tbe regret the OF
and that unjust suspicion has for tina moment been cast
those whose hieh Character ana conspicuous are
AI.DEET S. GALLUP, ESQ. JOHN A DIX.
Tie Unreasonable Intercourse" bug5ear being thus
summary disposed OF, the cry o. 'Driberyp was set
up. Money was to 1Ow like water to prevent this
good and pure Jenckes from being returned The
lfn time TO The halls OF Congress. Recent acts OF
Congress touching the election OF members, though
made Tor mother latitude were studied by the United
STATES District Attorney and Marshal at school
opened In tue JoaYRnt office. Deputy marslas
(hsw many has not transprcd) were secretly sworn
in and Instructed TO attend the polls sacogntto,
to arrest bribcrs VINO were expected 10 appear IN
four horse teams from Sprague's Print Works,
loaded with greenbacks. All the other government
officials were organized into q Committee OF Ma
tona Defence, TO protect the gooo character OF the
State from the STAN which was 10 fall upon IT, The
we're SO perleea ~ Was lpossaoe tat
Boosted that second could not be had until well
into the spging, and time would be gained TO work
up new ''Ways that are dark"
But Mr.. Eames went quietly on with Ills business
at tue courts, while Mr. Jenckes was Stumpinp the
district. Election DAY came, and TO the utter dlsinay
OF the coBspirators Mr.. Eames was elected. Jenckes
received less than 1908 in vote ofabout 10 900. So
! matter Of course few arrests were made for
brlbery-say ioar or dveone or two from the class
known "a American citizens o. African descent but
i there IS not aud never was shaaow OF evidence
/ Then followed threats of investigation commit
/ tees rem Congress, Of contesling mir. Eames' seat
/ OF calling for rhe inpedc hment or something worse
o. Senator cpraSue, OF Libel suits and suits Tor Sian
! der.
But now all are hushed aud 'childlike and blandr
| The morning has come, and with It the re1ecti on
mat somehow Or other some iolGs have made asses
OF themselves
A WORD on This matter OF bribery, which Is always
! the CRY or the Journal faction when soundly
thrashed 1t notorious that money is used in this
State all elections BY provision ia It's c0nsti-
tuition person net having a right &c vote by reason
OF taxes 10 the amount OF cue dollar paid upon real
estate or personal property must pay registry tax
omitted to pay for the previous year by the election
laws ne is required TO pay two dollars ne cannot
Vote reese registry taxes are neglected ordinarily,
ana when contested election comes a large
/ sum is necessary to qualify The voters,
! ana The candidates or their friends must
furnish IL, for the voters will not. so money must
be used, and Il Is but legal bribery; the voters
really bought by the parties who pay these tax IS.
But this is not all. The voters require more. Their
1 days WORK and forage must be pad for, and, IN
most cases transportation TO and from the polls.
Then combinations are formed and leaders must be
conciliated, and IN d hot contest they bid hign.
1 Last year, In April, Wnen the Legislature was
4 elected which was to choose United states Sena-
/ Tor mir. Anthony was the lucky NAM, leading
| striker IN the Eighth ward OF this city received .
! check for $4,000 for copcillatory purposes.
30, senator Spfague did use little money In
tnls election u was used legitlmatey aud certainly
4 ehectually. Money may aoE be necessary in cleo
/ lions IN New YORK or New Jersey, nut as u dis.
! tiBgulshed Rhode Island gentleman, one OF our
"Doole souls" wrote Ia the s'boDadson and Greeri'
4 correspondence some years since "Money ~ the
/ MAIN elemeat 10 hhode lsiano.3 YEElTAS.