Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-10
FROM WASHINGTON.
DASTARDLY FRAUDS
Alleged to Have BEEN Practiced by the
Democrats of Ohio.->ev-ral Filthy
Tricks Unsurpassed in Au.
dacity.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 9.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.
The attorney general, in reply to q letter
from Mr.. Springer. chairman of the House
committee on expenditure in the department
of justice has sent to that committee copies
of the correspondence on file in the depart
ment relative to the employment of United
States deputy marshsls at the congressional
election in Ohio last October. under the date
of Cincinnati, Sept. "a. Marshal Wright in
his letter to the attorney general says that
the election of Congressman in Ohio will
occur October l4th, and requestinsd s., ,235
to be sent to him to defray the expense of
employing deputies and for other purposes.
On September 25th the marshall addressed
another letter to the attorney general, giving
specifically the condition of affairs in Gle
cinnati. He said that frauds had been the
rule here for years, and without doubt the
last 4 elections here, being held in the
spring and in the fall were thus carried and
the will of the people defeated. ALI methods
that can be thought of are resorted to. Col
onization of voters, repeating and refusing
to let the men vote who are entitled to vote,
intimidating the ceantry, improperly count
ting improperly counting the reverse of
what it ought to be, improperly certifying,
stuting and changing ballots, buying votes
and last but most infamous of all. scratching
with chemical (in pencil of inkl which Mt
first is not detected by the voter. The tick
cts placed in the hands of the person desiring
to vote a straight ticket, he uses the ticket
unsuspectingly and soon after it is placed in
the box the color is brought out and 1t is
counted as a scratched ticket. The local
authorities here are in the ranks of the demo-
Gratis. The police force is thus under their
control and offers no protection. The sheriff
is democratic and we have reason TO believe
that it is his purpose to qualify large num-
Der Of deputies on that day. They work in the
dark and it is impossible to find out what
their purpose is till the day comes.
On September 29th the acting Attorney
General, Phillips, replied to Marshal Wrghts
letter of the oath, stating that the department
as a rule does not advance funds for expense
but pays for them reasonable amount after
the expenses have been incurred on present
ing an account, when such account has no
Objectionable features. The next and last
letter is IRON Marshal Wright. II is dated
Oct. Goth, and is rs follows: 81 forwarded TO
you this day a requisition for funds with
which to pay deputy marshals and for other
expenses pertaining TO the congressional
election. As you will recognize it is large
and while regret the necessity demanding
the expenditure. it was the very best | was
able to do under the circumstances. In addi-
ton to the above force | had many others
who did excellent service, (not under pay)
andEyet | was unable to get force necessary
to protect the vote. We held matters well in
hand in about SO precincts, but in precincts
the vote was not protected because was un-
able to do it. Our force suffered many out
RACES at the hands of the State and city au-
thorities, which / spprehend will be fully
confirmed by what is about to take place in
our courts. The situation in the precincts
not well handled, is beyond the comprehen-
sion of those who have not been an eye wit
ness thereto, and do not think any hundred
deputies to the precinct could protect the vote
therein. In one of these wards alone, over
one hundred peaceable but defenseless men,
without charge, were thrown into the cellar
of police station and kept there without
bed, food or water till the polls wee closed
and then let out. During this time they
were given to understand that if they would
vote a certain ticket it would be all right and
they could go free. This is a sample of
what we have to coptend with.