Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-22
Illegal Voting.


voting this year by Democrats. In the
third ward an ardent Tildenite who
had wager pending was challenged
and swore in his vote, and thereby
committed perjury, for which he de-
serves to be punished. A pauper from
the Dodge County poor house was al
lowed to vote in that ward also, which
added one to the tally for "Tilden and
Reform" In the 9th ward, we are
informed, several minors and unknown
persons voted the Reform" ticket,
and though diligent search has been
made for them since, they are not to
be found. In the I'd ward g.. 5.
Hawley voted without the least shadow
ofricht. He removed from here sew
eral mouths ago, and hiss family has
since then, we believe, been residing
In Beaver Dam, while he has beeu en-
gagged in travelling for II. N. tempted,
of,Nilwaukee. He here came on the day
of election and voted, leaving immedi-
ately afterward. Whether he voted at
any other places en- route for Water
town we are not advised, but like a
good "Reformer' as he is it would not
be at all surprising if he did "vote
early and often" He is one of those
pure, good men who once belonged to
the Republican party, but finding its
influences too communicating, he sought
a higher and better grade of politics 10
the ranks of the Democracy-a clear
case of jumping from the frying pan
into the fire. Of course he was not
slow in adopting the tactics of that
party by committing frauds in carrying
elections.
How much more of this illegal vot-
ing was done by "Reformers" it is diff
fcult to tell, but that it was not con-
fined to the instances We have cited,
there is no doubt. The total vote of
the city was l662-the largest ever
cast, and indicates population of H.
600. In some of the wards persons
were challenged and declined to swear
In their votes, and it is fair to presume
that many others eluded the vigilance
OF the Republican challenges. Be-
sides, the "bushwhacking" propensi-
ties of many of the Democrats who at
tend the polls are such as to make it
uncomfortable, if not unsafe, for Re-
publican to exercice his right to chal-
lenge voter whom he has reason to
suspect is offering to vote illegally.
The interests Of the Democratic party
seem to have been committed to the
hands of a set of bruisers, who, under
the inspiration of poor whisky regard
it as their duty to maltreat Republican
voters, insult Republican challeng ers
and create reign of terror around the
polls with a view to preventing the
poll of Republican votes. 1t is dis
graceful that this should be so in
Wisconsin; and that corrupt, pestifer-
Gus organization which is sailing under
false colors as the party of Reform"
should be universally execrated on ac-
count of its responsibility for this great
wrong. 1t is becoming a serious cues
t;on whether the Southern States
should alone enjoy monopoly of laws
providing remedies for such acts Of
lawlessness and violence as those which
are enacted every year in Watertown.
Ii there is anything, however, which
can reconcile US to the existence of
this state Of facts, it is that it IS done in
the name of "Reform." BY the way,
what nice thing this Reform is, and
what set of political beauties these
Performers" are when it comes to in
timidating voters, and stufing ballot
boxes With illegal votes.