The daily gazette., 1880-04-20
From Wdshingt0s.

INTIMIDATION OF VOTERS IN MAssA-
CHUsETTs AND RHODE IsLAND-RE-
PUBLICAN METHODS AS EXPLAINED
IN THE REPORT OF THE SENATE
FRAUD COMMITTEE.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1880.
Mr.. Wallace, in behalf of the ma
jority of the Select Committee on AL
legged Frauds i'll the Recent Elections,
&c., submitted a report to-day of the
results of the committees investiga-
tions in Massachusetts and Rhode
Island under that branch of its author
ity by which it was directed to inquire
whether any citizen of any State
has been dismissed or threatened
with dismissal from employment
or deprivation Of any right or privi-
lege by reason of his vote or inten-
ton to vote at1lhe recent elections
or has been otherwise interfered
with, and whether citizens of the
United States were prevented from ex-
ercising the elective franchise or forced
to use it against their wishes by any
unlawful means or practices"
The report states that number of
afiidaVits, presented to the committee,
alleged that employers of labor in the
above named States coerced their em-
ployes to vote as the employers wish
ed, and that deprivation of employ
ment was the penalty for refusal to do
so. The committee find that there is
no proof that any arrangement was
made at the Parker House meeting of
leading Massachusetts manufacturers
III 1878 to coerce employees or exercise
any influence upon them. On the con-
trary, it was expressly denied by the
estimony.
ACTION OF EMPLOYERS.
The report, however, proceeds to
Another meeting of manufacturers Is
shown to have been held in Worcester,
Mass, i'll the office of Mr.. Washburne,
who was chairman of the Republican
City Committee. The purpose of this
meeting was to urge the employers of
labor there present To exercise their in
huance. H. was to arouse them TO action.
They were asked to call their employees
together and address them on the issues.
This was done in at least one case. The
action taken at this meeting wa. spoken
OF by the employees afterward as being
prejudiclIl ID their freedom. Fear OF
loss OF work II they voled against their
employers wishes was frequently ex-
pressed. The result Of the meeting and
It's action was degree of intimidation
to the tmploye. Que witness described
Its effect upon the operatives thus :-"It
caused them to be no longer active, IT,
grow cIld; II dampened their al rdor and
changed their conduct" Anolh r wit
ness said The meeting was held for the
purpose OF ''foTclug their help through
Gread OF non-employment to vote con-
Lrdry to their wishes aud according To
tb wishes of their employers"
third witness is quoted as represent
ing that the policy laid down by some
oi Tue sp"akers at the Worcester meet
ing was substantially as tollows:-
We mnst keep inside lhe law; we
must not say that onr men will be dis
charged, nor anything of that kind, but
we must hold up before them that n
u'ler Is elected, OF the policy he advo-
Gates prevails, IL will be necessary to
close our workshops and close our bust
/ eSS
The same witness testified that the eff
4 CT OF tins declaration of policy was a
large dimnution in the nam Der of votes
c"st fot the democratic tcket at the sub
seguent eieclsn az compared with the
dtmocraic strength OF that city.
Ihe cDinInltiee say: -
The purpose here expressed of keeu-
ing inside the law was fully carried out,
Tor there was no CAST brought to the no.
uce OF your comm'ttee, in which con.
spray or unlawful combination to
coerce voters were disclosed. We are of
me opinion, however, that .he purpose
lntended was as fully accomplished as if
unlawful means had been used.
Your committee are of the opinion
that In very many Instances during that
election the ballot was cast by operati ye
agai nst their own deliberate convictions
and In favor of the candidates of their
employers, and that this was the result
OF fear OF loss of work at the beginning
of winter.
The committee then cites The case. of
number of the large manufacturing es-
tahlishments where the employees were
watched by the officials and compelled
Tor fear OF losing their employment eth.
or to vote the republican ticket or not
vote az all.