The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-10
U. S. MARSHALS.
Why They Were Needed in Ohio
in October.
HOW THE DEMOCRATS EXPECTED
TO CARRY THE ELECTION.

WASHINGTON. Dse. 9.-The Attorney Gen
eral in reply to letter from Mir. Springer,
chairman Of the House com mittee on expendi-
lures in the department ossjustics has sent to
that committee copies Ofithe correspondence on
hle in the department relative to the employ
msnG OF United States Deputy Marshals at the
congressional election in Ohio last October.
Under date of Cincinnati, September "a, Mar
shal Wright in o letter 10 the Attorney Gen
eral SAYS that the election of Congressman in
Ohio will occur October IA. and requested that
SS 235 be sent him TO meet the expenses of en-
piOying deputies and for other purposes. On
September 10Th the marshal addressed snothar
letter to the Attorney General giving specifi-
caily the conditions OF affairs in Cincinnati.
He said
"Frauds had been the rule here for years and
without doubt the ast four elections here two
being held iu the spring, and two in the fall, were
thus carried aud the will of the people defeated.
All hods that can be thought OF resor ed to-
colonization of voters, repeating, refusing to let
men vote who are entitled to vote, intirnidating
counting improperly, recording the count the
verse If which it ought to be- improperly certifying
stufiing, changing ballots buying votes and last,
but most Infamous of all scratching with chemical
Gin pencil of ink) which at first is not detected by
the voter tickets placed in the HANDS of persons
desiring 70 vote the straight ticket He uses the
tcke1 Asuspecttugy. AID tc0i affsz Il IS plao9a IA
the box the color is brought out and it is counted
scratched ticket Local authorities here all
in the ranks of the Democrats and the police force
is thus under their control and offer protection
but il not scrutnzed closely encourage the fraud;
the sheriff is Democrat, AID we have to be-
lieve that it is his purpose to qualify large mum
Der OF deputies on that day. They work ''n the
dark, and it is impossible to tind out what their
purpose is until the day comes.
On Sept 20 Acting Attorney General Phil
'ips replied to Marshal Wrlght's letter of the
oath, stating that the department. as q rule
does not advance funds for expense, but pays
for them q reasonable amount after the ex-
DeDses have been incurred upon presenting an
account, when such account has no objection
able features.
The next and last letter is from Marshal
Wight lt is dated October 29th, and is as fol-
lows:
l forwarded to you this day requsi,ion for
Iuuus with which to pay deputy marshals and for
other expenses pertaining to the eongressiona cleo
ton. As you will readily it is large and while
L regret the necessity of demanding the expendi-
tnre 1t was the very best was able to 90 under the
circumstances. In addition to the above force
hal many others who did excellent service (nOt un-
der pay, and yet was unable to get fsree
sary to protect the vote We held matters well in
hand in about 90 precincts, but in about six pre-
cncts the vote was not protected because was nm
able TO do 1t. Our force suffered many outrages
the hands of the State and city authorities which
apprehend will be fully confirmed by what is about
to take place in our courts.
The situation in the precincts not we'll
handled is beyond the comprehension of those
who have not been an eyewitness thereto and
do not think any hundred deputies to a
precinct could protsct the vote therein. In
one OF these wards alone during the night be-
lore over hundred peaceable bat defenceless
men, and without charge, were thrown into
the Cellar of the police station aud kept there
without bed, foot or water till the polls closed
and then were let out. During this time they
were given to understand that if they would
that they could go free. This Ia sample of
what We have to contend with.