Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-04-09
(Frsm de Cincinnati dus.fts.)
The Election In Cincinnati.

The most disgraceful election that has
aver been held in this city has resulted in
the success Of the most corrupt ring that
has ever held Office. An election we called it,
The word is little better than a misnomer
Never in the city's history have the rights
OF the ballot-boX been so shamelessly viola
ted /; never have the police been so prosti-
tuted to the demands of the executives new
er las intimidation been resorted to 60
openly and so unrebukedly. Fraudulent
votes were admitted loyal, qualified vo-
ters were driven away from the polls, and
houses. The police force, which should
have guarded the persons OF citizens, stood
by while these outrages were perpetrated
and not only did not Interfere to atop them
but even assisted in the attacks.
Sunday night Mayor Johnston sent this
dispatch to the different police stations oI
Che city:
Ses that your men are at he polls early To-
moTow morning and have them look out for the
tickets. II there are mono, send toord 10 hsGd-
quarters.
GEORGE W. O. JOHNSTON
It ia hardly necessary to 60 into details
after such message. The police were on
hand early. They went both in uniform
and without it. They took possession OF
the voting precincts at once. They dis
tributed votes all day. They challenged
votes and they elcctioneered, When any
OF the Johnston scoundrels got into trouble,
they were prompt to arrest the anti-J ohns-
ton men. They cursed like drabs respecta-
Bile citizens Nho asked for protection from
the rowdies and bummers. They used their
clubs over men who were only seeking to
be protected in their rights. They dragged
of 20 the police stations men who insisted
on having their rights respected, locked
them up and kept them, either in no charg.
es at all, or on charges that were trumped
up for the occasion. At some of the polla
notably those Of the Sixth and Eighth wards
the bummers held complete and scarcely
disturbed possession. Votes were rejected
by Judges, men were bounded down by
huge gangs Of roughs and every sort of in.
timidation was resorted to, with the police
openly aiding and assisting them. Even
respectable Democrats were outraged, and
there were instances where their votes were
declined. Republican ballots were destroy,
ed, Judges acted as ballot-distributors and
Republican ticket-holders were threatened
and treated with violence.
Mayor Johnston, the man who set all
this machinery in motion, has been re-
elected. Al the time we write-2 A. M
his majority is estimated at between four
and Eve thousand. The lowest man in his
personal habits, the most disreputable in
his associations that has ever occupied the
position Of Chief Magistrate Of the city. he
il fit representative Of the hordes of ruff
fans and scoundrels who we're yesterday
patrolling our streets and held possession
Of the voting places. Weeks ago even the
Enquirer, the free organ Of the pimps and
bawds Of the whole surrounding country,
protested against his nomination as one un
ft TO be made. "The hummer element"
it declared, "was the controlling one OF the
party in this city" and Johnston was de-
nounced in unmeasured terms. This is the
man who was Yesterday elected, and he was
elected by the most depraved, villainous,
internal set Of bruiSers and scalawags that
ever ruled any city.
Fitzgerald's defeat is the one redeeming
feature. Yet why should he have fniled
when Johnston succeeded is hard 20 tell.
Some fsur or five thousand votes we're
not cast The "good citizens" held aioof.
Perhaps they like the result. Perhaps
they have good reasons 10 excuse their fail
nre 10 sttead the polls. Perhaps they will
see cause for continued eongratulation dur
ing the next two years. We shall zee.