The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-05-24
rRaUDULENr VOTING.

\ correspondent Of the Uerald,
signing himself Brutus, thus briefly
sums up the feeling in regard to
fraudulent voting, should it be at
tempted in the approaching election;
The extraordinary scene witnessed
on last Tuesday at the Republican pri-
marics in this city has created, among
large class Of our icilow.citizens oil
both parties, 4 deep and earnest ieel-
ing, the like of which have never be-
tore seen exhibited in Oregon, since
that time when voters from Washing
ton, Clackamas, Marion, Linn aud
Lane counties were imported into this
city for the purpose of thwartipg the
will and wishes of its people. have
had conversations. with many Of the
most staid and respectable citizens of
this place, and in every instance the
earnest expression has been given that
such procedure as was witnessed on
last Tuesday was an outrage upon the
rights of the people of Portland upon
the sacntity of the ballot-box OF the
most aggravated character, and that it
must be prevented from being repeat
ed on next election day at all hazards.
In talking with several citizens, they
have given expression 10 the same
idea, that this high.handed procedure
on the part of one man to fraudulently
influence elections, is a species of out
lawry similar to the bailot.box stuff
ing of San Francisco, years ago. which
led to the formation of vigilance
committee and the hanging of the chief
criminals; and that if one man, by the
| employment of money and fraud, at
ternpts TO override public sentiment
here in the same way, they have open
| Iy declared themselves in favor of cor
recting the lmbearable abuses in the
same earnest manner, and that the
chief criminal in this outrage deserves
the benefit only "short shrift and a
strong cord" And this feeling has
become, so far as can learn, more
widespread by the open boast of the
railroad organ of this city, that the
vote of this county has to be increased
several hundred by fraudulent means.
The people of this city are a law-abid-
ing people, and they will submit to q
fair election, but they are not the
towards that will PATIENTLY allow their
suffrages to be overborne. by fraud
and corruption. AS one citizen of
Portland, who has interest in her pros
| perity and fair fame, ] should much re-.
greet the necessity that would force its
IL, lo 1a.. -.
hands for the correction of fragrant
abuses, but still L cannot refuse to rec
ognize tho fact that it may at times
be really wholesome and absolutely
necessary. The people of this coast
have short way of disposing of those
outlaws who think they can override
people at their pleasure. San Fran
cisco has had her Vigilance Commit
ttee, and if necessity occurs Portland
may have hers. 1t is more than can
be expected of any brave people that
they will patiently submit to have
their voice at the ballot fraudulently
stifed byaiman who, by base means,
procured the passage of a law, at the
last session of the Legislature, which,
but for an Executive veto, would have
taken from the taxpayers of this city
$4,000 TOR his own benefit, and who
now desires to control the ballot here
only for the purpose of attempting a
similar robbery again. This man
must be made to understand that the
people of Portland are not slaves and
| that they will not patiently submit to
fraud and robbery. The people Of
this city, irrespective of party, now
look to our efficient police force to
protect the polls on next election day,
and the opinion has become universal
that in the event of blood being split
on that day in the attempt to preserve
the purity of the hallot-box, the peo-
4 plefshould take the law in their own
hands and avenge it on the arch
! ciminal himself.