Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-08-12
Boston Journal.
Democratic nethods in Alabama,

SSAAsSNsessS ASsHVNs AA AAss~ss~ss'
The reccn, election in Alabama has re-
suited in general Democratic triumph.
There will be no further annoyance to the
Bourbon leaders because Of Republican yot-
ing. for the good reason that men will not
take the pains to vote when their ballots are
not counted or when Democratic ballots are
substituted for them.
In this connection il NAV be well 10 note
the methods employed by the Democratic
leaders in that State to obtain control IL
counties in which the Republicans have
overwhelming majorities. Dallas and But
lock counties. with a fair vote. are Republi-
can by 5000 majority
In 1872 these counties were made ju-
dieial district as are other counties b, the
Republican Legislature In 1874 the Re
publcans elected the Judges of this eour,
for the term Of Six years. The Legislature,
which was Democratic, could not see these
Offices held by Republicans, 81 il abolished
the court and thus got rid Of the RepublI
can Judges The same Legislature then
passed Law establishing the City Court Of
Selma in Dallas county. giving It the same
jurisdiction which the court abolished had I;
but instead of comforting upon the people
the power To elect the Judges of that court
as is the case in all other parts Of the State,
the appointment; Of the officers was vested in
the Democratic Governor.
BY general statute that has been in
force twenty wears. the several counties in
the State are authorized TO elect Court of
County Commissioners. This court has the
original jurisdiction Of highways. controls
the property of the county. assesses the
taxes, audiis claims and orders the payment
Of bills. Montgomery u strong Repuhli-
can county upon fair vote and this
court could exercise influence upon the reg
istration and voting, the Democrats Legis-
laturr abolished il in that county and cs-
,ablishcd instead Board Of Revenue. With
the same powers but much morc expensive
10 the tax PAYERS than the Commissioners
Court Thu. board i, appointed by the
Democratic Governor. Thus the people ~
that county were deprived Of local selfgo,-
eminent simply because they were Rcpub-
licsns The same method va. adopted IN
nearly all the countie. having Republican
majoriiIcs.
The same Legislature. in order to get
control Of the official patronage and influence
in these Kepubl!ran counties. made Law
men residing within the counties and who
have property in the county double the
amount OF the bond above all liabilities
Every county officer was required to give
bonds ranging from sjocn to sjo,10. II
i, also provided in this law that ofticrr.
should give a nov bond whenever required
by the Democratic Boards Of Revenue. and
upon failure To do so the offices are 10 b.
declared vacant and the Governor appoints.
The Republican Probate Judges IN nearly
all Of the Republican counties verr ous;ed
under the Law and Democrats appointed in
their s;rad.
The purpose Of this suppression 81 local
self. government il evident when i, j. under
stood tina, the Probate Judge, the County
CLERK and the Sheriff are required bS Law 10
appoint three Inspector. and ono Returning
officer for each voting precinct. which vas
to get control Of the appointment Of the
Election officer. in the strong Republican
counties That they have made the most of
their power thus acquired ia shown b, thc
returns Of the elections Of 1876. iS,s and Of
the alleged election just held. The officers
above referred to also MAKE up the list. Of
jurors and ii /. .a,d tina, thu, duiy has been
commit oa.ncc. against colored men or Re
puhlieans cannot &c punished
One rcmarkahl. thing in connection with
the political history Of Alabama Is the cos
uast which the action OF tn. Republican
leader. toward the Democrats affords 10 the
polio, which the Democrat. are now pur.u-
ing toward Republicans in that State. The
Constitution Of 1858 contained provisions
which dlsfl anchised "a. OSD Democrats The
Republican Legislature Of 1865. which con
tanned bat one Democrat, took step, 10 re-
move and caused 10 h.. rrmot ed the dlsahl-
tiles which prevented these thousands Of
Democrats from voting. When these mcn
secured the privilege Of voting. they not
onl, took steps 10 carry the STATE, but at
once elected a Legislature which has d,
priScd thousand. of Republicans Of all their
evil and political privileges. And these are
the men ~ho are gushing about Cancellation.
and are charging the Republican party with
Keeping alive sectional fcud- These men.
~ho have destroyed popular government in
Alabama. demand "a full vote. fair elections
and pure count" They are As sincere a,
the majority OF Democratic managers who
make tina, DEMAND