The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-20

vass in Il,e State, which was exceedingly dis
couraging. The best they could figure was
possible majority of 2.400 or $500 the
assumption that the Prohibitionists would poll
10 900 votes. nine-tenths to be taken from the
Republicans. The Republican canvass. which
was very thorough and accurate, indicated a Re
publican majority of 4,08a after giving zNs Pro
hibitiorists S 900 votes. The result proves that
while the Neutrality-suspicious. less than half as
many Votes as the Democrats counted On, vet
the Democratic majority in the State is twice as
large as they hoped for when they expected that
| the Republicans would lose 10000 votes through
tho SAINT John side issue. Something
must have occurred during the few days
INN ediately preceding the election to convert
the aseertained Republican advantage into an
unexpected Democratic success. II that -'soTne-
thing were "a matter of policy-a speech by
Blaine or Cleveland, an offense given to some
faction, or any like occurrence-it would be no
torious. But, as the something" is not appar-
ent, the most rational explanation for the sud
den change is the corrupt use Of money
There ARE more specific evidences Of the pur-
chase of votes ia several of populous cities in
Indiana. South Bend furnishes n conspicuous
instance. There are about 200 Poles yioynd
in the Shops there. They huve been drifting
into che fteprblican party during the last four
years. In 1880 about one-quarter or one'third of
the whole number wotedlfor Garfield. In 1882
about one half of them voted the Republican
State and county tickets. AT Il later municipal
election still larger proportl9n acted with the
Republicans. andsecured the election of Repub-
lican mayor andcity Offices by large maiorities
During the late campaign nearly all of
them Joined Republican clubs, attended Repub-
Hcan meetings, and their WONG men nearly all
marched in the Republican torchlight process
sions, shouted for Blaine when he visited that
city, and indicated unanimous support of the
Republican ticket
Election day it is said thas not more than fifty
out of the entire ] eco Poles voted as they had
talked, shouted and murched. The'ststeinent is
made, and borne out by the result. that singu-
lar change came over the spirit of their dreams
the Sunday preceding the election, and that
money was paid over to each voter in a fixed
amount, the bosses and more influential men
among the Polish people receiving larger
"oouus than the others is understood to be Fact
1t is known that a large sum IF niotey, Tari-
ously estimated at $50 900 to $50 600, WAS sent TO
Indianapolis the Friday before election. This
into packages Of small bills and dis
tributed to South Bend, Fort Wayne, Terre
Haute, and a dozen other points where Repub
lican gains were claimed after retaining a
sufficient amount for the purchase Of votes at
the State Capital 1t was sentfroh New York
to purchase not less than 5000 votes. ard 1T
wiped out the Republican gains at Fort Wayne
as it won back the 200 Polish votes in South
Bend and hundreds of others among different
elements at various points throughout the
State.
Ii tlIn Republican canvass before the election
was based upon any intention to secure votes bS
purchase, the scheme failed through lack of
money, for they never had any funds to employ
in that way But the Democratic managers
were on hand with their 'boodle' ut the critical
moment aud captured the ''fieaters' las the
purchasabe voters are eallea) in sufficient Nun
bers TO carry the State, which they had given
up as lost to them. ard which if left uubribed
and unbOught would have surely given its eeeto-
Fal vote to Blaine fer President and Calkins for
Governor. Bribery and corruption transferred
the State to Cleveland and Gray.