The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-09-03
FRAUDS IN ALABAMA.
Why the State Was So Strongly DEM
Ocratic-Statements OF Ex-Governor
Smith s6s..Ff
From the New York Tribune.l

Why the State Was So Strongly DEM
Ocratic-Statementso Of Ex-Governor
Smith. as8fs.5
from the New York Tribunel
Letters received at the Republican
headquarters confirm the statements al
ready made that there was most ont
rageous fraud practiced at the recent
election in Alabama. Ex-Goy. VIM. Il.
Smith, of that State. recently appointed
United States District Attorney for Ala
bama, has written the following letter
to Marshall Jewell, Chairman of the
National Committee:
The Republicans in this State put forth no
candidates for any of the State offices, agree
ing to vote for the Greenback candidates for
State officers, and Greenback and Independent
for county officers. The reason for this was
that the leaders Of that party pledged them
selves that if they succeeded henceforth there
should be in Alabama free ballot and fair
count. By thus voting the Republicans ex-
pected to secure fair count of their votes for
Garfield and Arthur in November next. The
Democrats knew of this intention of the Re-
publicans to vote the Greenback and Independ-
ent tickets, aud it alarmed them very much,
knowing, as they did, that these elements con-
stituted a large majority of the voters of the
State.
By the laws of Alabama, "the Probate Judge,
Sheriff, and Clerk Of the Circuit Court, or any
two of them, must, at least thirty days before
the holding of any election in their county, ap-
point three Inspectors of any election for each
place of voting, two of whom shall be members
of opposing political parties, if practicable
In most of the counties of the State the Judge
of Probate Sheriff, and Clerk are Democrats.
or at least two of them are consequently it
was IL their power to carry out the law in good
faith or to make use of their power for fradu-
lent partisan purposes. They did the latter in
every county where they had the power, by Sc
Letting such men for Inspectors as would do the
dirty work necessary to overcome the known
majority of Greenbackers. Independents and
Republicans. In this montgomery county,
where the majority, independent of the Green
back and Independent VOTE is at least 8 500.
the Sheriff and Clerk Of the Circuit Court, being
Democrats, and the Clerk being a candidate for
reelection, and the Sheriff candidate for Tax
Collector selected the Inspectors, utterly disre-
garding any suggestions of the Judge of Pro-
bate, who is Republican and candidate for
reelection.
For each voting place the Clerk and Sheriff
selected the Democratic and Republican In
select colored man as Republican Inspector
and refusing to accept as Republican Inspect
ors well-known, high-minded, honest white Re-
publicans suggested by the Probate Judge.
The Democrats selected fer Inspectors were in
almost every case men of n0toriously-doubtful
character for political honesty, and the colored
men, with few exceptions, could neither read
nor write. Thus the preparation was made be-
forehand for the count of the ballots.
.oIa n l,ok I.
colored men have never voted SO soidly since
1868 as at the recent election that more white
men voted against the Democrats than ever be-
fore, and far more white men refused to vote
than usual Notwithstanding, the Democrats
claim to have carried the election i'll this county
by about 2,700 majority, and the vote has
actually been counted that wav I will illus
trate by giving you what believe to be the
facts in relation to counting the votes in pre-
clnct No. 8, in this county, known as McGees
Switch
At this voting place the Sheriff and the Clerk.
by mistake Ct suppose), selected a colored man,
who can read and write, and who had the
nerve to contend for fair count. This 80
frustrated the plans for counting that box that
the Democrats had to resort to other means to
collect the ballots. The final count of this vot-
ing-plaec gives to the Democrats $40 votes, and
to the Republicans 13, as printed in the Mont
gomery Advertiser of the 9th inst. A colored
man by the name of H.A. Graper, as each colored
man passed him, was informed how he intend
ed to vote, until he had taken down list of 1872
names. After that he tailed each voter until
his list reached AGO.
The frauds in every voting place in this coun-
ty are just as palpabe as this one, and can be
easily proved. The Democrats claim that large
numbers of colored men voted the Democratic
ticket The Republicans deny it. Suppose you
publish an open letter reciting the frauds as
herein mentioned, stating that the Democrats
deny their truth, and in order to settle the
question whether the Democrats have commit
ted these frauds, or whether the Republicans
have lied. you propose to the Chairman of the
Democratic National Committee to send an
equal number of trustworthy Republicans and
Democrats to investigate the matter.
The Republicans can and will get in this
county the affidavits of at least 5000 men who
will testify that they voted against the Demo-
Gratis at the late election. If the Democrats
accept your proposition we will prove the frauds
by exhibiting 5000 men who voted as we say
they did. If the Democrats decline your propo-
Gtion, it will be tacit admission of the fraud.