Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-07
Bribery of Voters.


Bribery of Voters.
The democratic papers make charges
against the republicans of wholesale bri
berry in the recent election. They speak
as though it was matter of general knowl'
edge Ii this statement were worthy oil
credence the readers Of democratic pa
pers would have to believe that the evil
dences Of bride ry by elections are every
where to be seen, and that even our
cergymen endorse the practice.
The Maine Standard of this week says
that "if any clergyman or intelligent re-
publican in this city would make an earn
'est, sincere effort to ascertain whether OF
"not bribery was resorted to by the lead
''ers of his party. at the recent election,
twenty four hours time would be amply
sufficient to convince him that a large
part of the majority obtained in this city
twas due to direct and So stemalic bribery,
"and. more still, that the money used to
"buy votes came Indirectly from the public
treasury"
Ia the same article it accuses clergymen
of knowing that bribery is carried on by
republicans. and says they "wink ut the
crime" aud virtually "become par,ici-
pators in it,"
Now just before the election, the chair.
man of the democratic State committee,
who is also editor of the Standard, issued
a flaming circular and sent it over the
State, the heading of which was in these
words, displayed in large type: $500
Reward! Bribery Contemplated ! Dis
'franchsng Voters $500 Fine or Impris-
comment, or both. for Bribing Voters or
"Hindering their Registration. Corrup-
''tionists Take Warning !" This circular
then went on TO stale as follows: where
las the Democratic State Committee are
.'in possession of information that certain
''leaders of the republican party are in
tending TO resort to an extensive system
''of bribery in the approaching election,
land are making preparations to that end,
ave call public attention to the fact that
'the laws of the United States against
this Infamous crime apply to all elections
"where members of Congress are to be
"chosen, and that persons guilty OF their
"vioation can be arraigned before United
States Commissioners.
Then followed copy of the law OF the
United States applicable to bribery and
other offences In elections, after which the
circular concluded with the following
words:
There ore q. y. Commissioners In Maine uho
WiH0yoree this laW impartiaHy.
We earnestly request city and
town committees to promptly AP-
POINT efficient persons in every
detect and prosecute all persons
guilty of violating any OF these pro
visions. We will pay ONE HUN
DRIED DOLLARS REWARD ia
evsry instance for evidenc, suffi-
clent to convict.
Per order Of Democratic State Committee
-a +: +. PILLsBURY, Chairman.
AUGUSTA, Aug Both. 1876.
II the evidences Of bribery are 50 alum
dant and open that anybody can see them,
the above mentioned circular ought to
have drawn heavily upon the exchequer
Of the democratic State committee, to paw
the rewards called for. But as yet we
hare not heard that single rcward has
been demanded The democratic State
committee have not had the first nibble
for reward. Where are those efficient
persons appointed by the democratic
committees "to take measures 10 detect
"and prosecute all persons guilty" Of
bribery Were they asleep on the day of
electlonp If bribery was as common as
Pillsbury says it was at election they lost
an opportunity to make fortune
But the issuing of this circular Offering
so large reward for the detection of
cases Of bribery, with the result Of not
one case for prosecution, puts to flight the