Daily Republican., 1880-02-02
hAVURDAY's AssEssm gNT.
RepubIisAn Dsy nc She city NALL
An Army Of Bisfrawshised Z 0iors
Seeking their Rights.


II WIS expected that there would be
more than tue usual stir around the
City Hail on Saturday, caused by q
large number of disfranchised voters
asking to he placed again upon the as.
ssessDent lists that they might enjoy
the full rights of citizenship once more,
but none were prepared to aee such an
avalanche Of voters as presented them.
selves. From early In the morning un-
I'll 5 O'Clock in the evening, tho City
Hall WAS filed with a busy, jostling
crowd pushing their way mp to tho as
SCISSORS that they might have their
names put upon the lists before the
holr Of closing came.
The asssssors were dumbfouLded at
the crowd. The Democratic officials
stood upon elevated places and bsheld
the scene before them with astonish-
ment. There was the spirit Of their
policy brought glaringly before their
eyes, There were the disfranchised
citizens by hundreds who they had
brushed from the assessment lists. in
order that they might seize every Office
in the City, County and State and per-
petaate their power. The long lines OF
voters black and white surging up to
each Of the assessors sounded politi-
cal death knell in their ears which told
them in language more forcible than
words could express that they were
doomed and their power had to come to
IN end.
The City Hall became for tue time
the centre OF attraction aud crowds
fingered around it and blocked up ad-
acent corners. Democratic officials
we're brought once rore face to face
with United States officers, and every
movement was closely scrutinized by
the Supervisors.
"Shame % said prominent Demo-
crat that these men should have been
so shamefully disfranchised.
"If the Democrats do not make an
honest assessment and give these men
the same rights which they themselves
enjoy | will vote no more the Demo-
cratic ticket" said another s'alwart
Democrat.
~ have heard a great deal about Re-
publican disfranchisements but | never
believed until now. Why half the
frauds OF the Democrats have never
been told," said prominent Republi-
can.
"Why it looks as If one fourth Of the
people had been disfranchised," said
an astonished Republican.
The lines Of disfranchised reaching
from the desk of the assessors out TO
the door of the hall stood firm all day,
aud when night closed the scene was as
lsng as when it was first formed in the
morning, and hundreds came and look
ing departed with the intention of going
to New Castle to get assessed when the
crowd would not be so great.
Assessors get hungry as well as 9th
er, people for they too are human, but
on this occasion they and the Democra-
tic supervisors get hungry much sooner
than the Republican Supervisors.It 1t was
reported that the assessors had eaten
no breakfast in the morning but this
wicked report was contradicted. After
l2 o'clock the assessors got so hungry
that an ad djOurnment was proposed IN
til two o'clock. Strange to say that
this movement was favored by the Dem
ocratic Supervisors and opposed by the
Republicans. 1t was too long between
drinks for the Democrats.
By one o'clock tho hunger Of the
Democratic Assessors had become so
intense that they could hold out no
longer. Supervisor Fraim opposed the
adjournment while hundreds of men
were in line waiting to be assessed, and
he reminded the Assessors that the law
specified that they must sit from 10
o'clock in the morning until O'Clock
in the evening, and further stated that
If o recess was taken there were hun
dreds of men who would be deprived
Of the privilege of getting assessed
without incurring the loss of time and
expense of going to New Castle. Mr..
Fraim also intimated that the U. S.
laws were not to be trifed with.
Under such a vigorous protest the
Assessors promised that if they were
oaly allowed to have recess to get a
mouthful to eat, they would sit again
on Monday and give further opportu-
nifty to get assessed. The proposition
was accepted and after an hour the Off
GERS returned streng ,hened in stomach
but mind disturbed by the host of Re.
publicans swarmipg around them, and
again the fun went on. An attempt of
some Democrats to establish a third |
line composed of Democrats who wanted
to slip in and get the preference in get
ting assessed before the hundreds of Re-
pubicans in line for hours, was prompt
ly resisted by II. +. Pickels, U. S. Mar
3hal McMutlin, James L. Hawkins, G.
B. Underwood and others in such a
manner as plainly indicated that no
was going to be submitted
10.
When the assessment closed at
D 1clock the long lines of voters still ex
tended back to the door and Mr.. Pick.
81 5 mounted bench and in astentorian
voice told all who were not assessed to
De present on Monday morning. The
lall was soon afterwards quickly closed
With the exception of the debris of
broken benches, tables, and chairs
itrewn promiscuously around.
Noticeable throughout .he day were
several county officers and candidates
or office. The tall handsome form of
Senator Sharpley fitted around the
,hadows of the City Hall in conversa-
ion with several leading Democrats.
lie is no doubt glad his election for
President of City Council came off last
all.
Bridge-tender Bareford scared at the
lark crowd of disfranchised comingi
,ver Sd street bridge-hurried early in