The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-06-14
WE OBJECT TO FRA UD-NOT TO
LNDIVIDUALS.

For the first time in the columns of
the STARK COUNTY DEMOCRAT we de-
nounce and expose the frauds perpetra-
ted, year after year by set of unprinci-
pied fellows at'our Primary Elections
In doing this we only state what every
prominent Democrat and Republican in
the county knows, for the same villainy
has been practiced with the other party
at the same places aud by the same per-
sons, Money is the consideration, oppo-
sing candidates being oftentimes equally
plundered, the faYonte being determined
in such case by previous attachment,
common familiarity or consanguineous
ties.
What we state is also well known to
every posted member of our Central Com
mittee-but, alas nothing can be done,
and tame submission has been the rule
under thiscontinous wrong. Notonly the
gentlemen of the Committee know it, but
tue candidates nominated, know it; es
pecially those who had a prospectively
close contest. This evil has a spreading
tendency like other diseased conditions;
and we are satisfied, that this years
frauds were not confined to the three
polls at North Lawrence, Youngstown
Hill, and "Boss" Smiths, though, of
course, nowhere equaling these in mag
nitude and audacity.
At the "Boss's" place IA saloon) and
vicinity, are scarcely two dozen Demo-
Gratis but that fertile locality sends up
to our Central Committee a return of IS
and if more had been needed, the expert
could just as easily have mGdq4e16S 1t
only needed little more writing and
tallying ssss'ss'
At Youngstown Hill are three Demo
Gratis, and in that vicinity not over IS
more, 81 in all but nnder the practiced
Masters (Tom) of the place comes up
a return to our Committee of 1907 We
breathed easier when it was opened and
we saw it was not 200.
But North Lawrence bangs them
all, usually, falling short, how
ever, this year, owing, undoubt-
edly, to the fact, that more was not
needed Had more been needed the
count would have been accordingly great
er. The poll was held at agrocery store,
and the return and the tally.sheet show
ed 1lS. All the Democrats in and about
that locality would not exceed 40, if they
reached that number, Two years ago
North Lawrence came booming down
against Auditor Sourbeck with tally Of
100, but did not count him out. Last
year the central committeeman went
over and held the poll with Mr., John
Powers, an honest man and worthy Dem
ocrat, and only some forty votes were
cast, all the Democrats there.
Brother emocrats-what think you
of this kind of work ? Is it not time it
should stop
| We have been told also that the Mi
ners' Union, secret oath-bound associ-
alton, determines in Council about tallsuch
questions, and hence can act as q unit,
both at Democratic and Republican pri-
maries. All this does not prevent indi
vidual members from plundering candi-
dates who are green enough to tamper
with these whisky dead beats and frauds.
Let no one mi9understand us. We
have no personal objection to the gentle-
men nominated, and who profted by the
frauds. Our business and mission are to
enlighten honest Democrats over the
county, and expose this scoundreism.
1t is the disgrace of Lawrence township,
and also Tuscarawas; and our noble Dem
ocratic friends thereaway, we well know,
sanction no such proceedings.
Four years ago, we were instrumental
in getting county ticket nominated by
a county convention; and that year was
the first, for long time, that we carried
the county. This plan, however, did not
suit certain elements, and the next year
she mode of irresponsible voting and il
limitable tallying was resumed, and has
continued up to this day
Now, we say in all seriousness, that
the Democratic party is the party of jus
tice and law and law involves RESPONSE
bility. Fraud vitiates all results accom-
plished thereby, and binds nobody. Bad
men and their bad ways may run the
party to ruin and disgrace, not to impro-
wing victory and reform.
Just now, Democrats are quite sensitive
to fraudulent returns, and s to counts.
Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida,
with their scoundrel Returning Boards,
are still fresh in remembrance. By
these frauds, the Electoral Commission
counted three States for Hayes, and
counted out Mr.. Tilden, the Peoples
choice for President. Mr.. Tilden, too,
it will be remembered, came into promi-
nence by his courage and success in ex-
posing and breaking down the Tweed
Ring in New York city. The Democratic
party, then, is peculiarly the party ofright
and fairness; and surely, it is not too much
to claim and insist, that our nominating
arrangements in Stark county shall be
fairly and squarely conducted. Who
shall say, NGyF
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