Daily Republican., 1882-10-05
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1882.
Police at Elections,

The outcry against the police by th,
Bourbon penny organ is entirely uu-
called for and shows a disposition or
its part to magnify molehills into noun
tains, for the purpose of misleading pub.
lie sentiment and of bringing the con-
servatOrs Of the peace into disrepute.
Had this paper distinguished itself
under Democratic administrations in
exposing the otticiousness of Demo
cratic police at the polls and their many
omissions of duty, then its complaint
now might be entitled to some credit.
Those who kept their eyes open could
not but obcerve that the Quietuess that
reigned on Tuesday was in strong con.
trast with other elections held under
the domination of Democratic police.
The senseless objection TO the police 60
ing to the poll windows, on the ground
that it is violation of the law, only
shows an inexcusable ignorance of the
law. 1t is only at City elections that
the police are required to keep thirty
feet distant from the polls, However
there could beno objection if such law
did extend to all elections. We only
refer to this to show that no law was
violated on Tuesday, by the police
sta nding within thirty feet of the polls
AS the election was so very peaceful
and quiet, the appointment of specials
was of doubtful propriety, but Mayor
Wales did not know whether there
would be quiet or a boisterous cleo
ton, and therefore he cannot be cen
sured for providing to.have the peace
preserved. The violence at former |
''Little Elections" under the very eyes
of the Democratic rolice, and often
where they were the instigatOrs, was a
sufficient reason for Mayor Wales to do
as he did. We know nothing about the
character of the specials that were ap-
pointed, but If they were worse or as
bad as the majority of the drunken
gang appointed by Mayor Almond,
then Mayor Wales deserves censure.
We know that the specials appointed
by Mayor Wales were not seen con.
d ucting repeaters from poll TO poll in
various DISCUSSES. His sergeant's
manned no close carriages, in which re-
peaters changed clothes, while being
driven around the city. His police did
not stand on the corners with hands and
pockets full of bogus tax receipts in {
blank to be filed up to suit Why did |
not this immaculate organ of the De- {
mocracy condemn these practices when '
they were carried on right before its +
very eyes? The boot was on the other /
leg then. We have no desire to witness /
repetition of the violence, fraud and &
disgra ce that characterized the old DO c
lice force, but it world be a righteous {
if the Democr who dis {
Rraced themselves and theirIparty, were 9
paid back in their own coin. A counter 8
state ment to the uncalled for ISLANDERS |
'f the penny Bourbon, is from Demo
Gratis of the good behavior Of the Re-
police. There may have been
exceptions, where they oYerstepped
he bounds of duty, but under the cir o
great allowances should be
made They no doubt remem bered L
the time when unoftending Republicans g
we're attacked, struck with bludgeons '
and dragged bleeding from the polls. a
keVonge it is said is sweet, and as Re- o
publican police are not infinite and per. Ii
Iect beings, it is not surprising that
hey should feel a little like settling up !,
I'D scores, that the Democrats might
Know how it was themselves.
Tho good order at the Second Ward y
OOlls on Tuesday, was in strong con- =,
rast with the violence that attended "
'lections under Democratic rule. In "
tead of squad of police standing =
eady to pounce upon and knock down = =
ONO unoffending voter, because some =,
drunken idiot would say he had no
Iote, the Republican police were pa
lent and considerate and received f,
he praise Of all order loving citizens \
Without respect to party. Policeman +
Vickers especially, was commended by Il
Democrats for his calmness and tact in IL
luelling disturbances, though he bore L
lpcn his person the marks of Demo 81
ratio bludgeOnS In the hands of Demo. R