Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-23
From the Boston Advertiser.
BulldOzing, North and South.


Since the elections there has been great
deal of silly talk and writing on the part o.
the defeated faction in this State, to the ef
feet that the result was brought about by
republican employers. Little or no attention
has been paid to the charge, simply because
it was stupid, not sincerely made by thost
who uttered it, not believed by them, ant
known by all others not to be true. Inas
much, however, as the story is spreading be-
yond the limits of the s late, and is taken up
by newspaper writers who may possibly think
there is something in it, 1t may be worth
while to put on record formal denial Of it.
One paper in Maine puts the direct ques-
ton if we "really think that there was one
tenth part as much bulldozing of negroes by
tho democrats Of South Carolina at the late
election az there was Of white en-
ployes BY republican employers in
Massachusetts, II a categorical answer ID
desired, we reply, yes. And if more par
ticular statement will be accepted, we VEN
ture to say that while even the Bangor Com
mercial will not form a theory plausible in
its own view to explain on any principle Of
honest voting how the democrats have made
gain Of $4,000 votes in one small State in
two years, neither will it be able to specify
single case of bulldozing Of even one mar
BY his republican employer in Massachusetts
Nothing is easier than to make vague ant
general charges. If we were to assert thai
two-thirds Of the greenbackers of Maine were
professional pickpockets, it would be as true
q is the statement that the Massachusetts
election was carried by bulldozing, and there
is ~ good evidence for the one statement az
for the other,- that is to say, none at all for
either. In the case Of South Corolna there
is no lack Of specification 1t is charged that
fraud and intimidation were practiced in GER
tain places and upon persons who are named.
In Massachusetts, no single person is accused
and no city or town where the bnlldozing
took place is mentioned. The only offences
here that have attracted public attention are
attempts at fraudulent voting, successful or
otherwise, BY members of the defeated fac
ton. Let any man or any newspaper bring
forward specific charge that voters, naming
them, were intinidated; or that illegal votes
were cast at particular place or that
persons entitled to vote were kept from the
polls by violence; or that the votes given
were not honestly counted and we assure
the accuser that his accusation will not mere
ly be honestly investigated, but that, if its
truth is established, the wrong will be right.
ed. viii anybody say as much for South
Carolina?
1t is not easy to treat this matter very Sc
riously, for, as has been said, nobody who
is acquainted with the circumstances believes
the charges, or needs to be convinced that
they are not true. They are only brought
forward to divert attention from the scandal
Gus manner in which the accusers con-
Quoted their own canvass. OF that, how
ever, we do not now care to speak. As an
Offset to the open and palpable frauds in
South Carolina and other Southern States
they are miserable failure