The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-04
DEMOCRATIC CORRUPTION FUND.

Following up the infamous tactics used in
1876, under the lead of Mr.. Tilden and Seven
mule Barnum, the Democratic managers are
now making a systematized effort to raise a
corruption fund sufficient, as they hope, to
change the politics of the country. The solid
South, having no need of special effort more
than to perpetuate the frauds and intimidation
that have already been successful in wiping
out honest Republican majOrities, is appealed
to to contribute of its means to ''take care of
the Northern States, where tissue ballots and
assassination do not obtain. The Louisville
Courier-JOurnal has issued a stirring appeal to
Kentuckians for funds to 'talke care of Indi-
ana" The entire South has been districted
and assessed pro rata to raise an immense
corruption fund Cassius M. Clay reports
that the Democrats of his county have been
assessed $3.50. Another gentleman, a resident
of southern Texas, and thoroughly reliable,
writes the journal that the county he lives in
is raising stated sum for the purpose named.
John F. Hutchins, of Huntsville, Ala, writes
us that his county has been assessed
$270, and the report from all sections is that
the amounts asked are being promptly and
cheerfully raised, so that it is quite probable
that the 81 900, 900 necessary to elect -Cleve-
land, as estimated by the managers of the
Democratic campaign, will be realized. The
New York World is helping raise the fund,
and at Columbus, o., a popular one-dollar
subscription has been started The Demo
cratic plan has already unfolded AS 'Picka-
way" declared: '"They [Democratsl are not
spending dollar for torchlights and similar
nonsense, but are organizing and outstanding
their resources for practical purposes" The
approaching election day in Ohio will witness
the putting in practice of schemes of corrup-
ton on a scale never attempted, evenly Dem
ocrats. The fund raised from the solid South,
added to the hundreds of thousands contrib
uted by the Standard Oil Company, is to be
used to buy votes, to the end
that what can not be accomplished
by argument will be gained by
systematized bribery. Kentucky, Alabama,
Texas and Georgia are to help "take care of
States like Ohio and Indiana" The bluegrass
region will not only contribute dollars, but
will also spare hundreds of voters to cross the
river. This can be done without impairing
the Democratic majorities there This
scheme has been concocted, and is made pub
lie with boldness and shamelessness that
threatens the destruction of popular govern
ment. This bit of political rascality explains
the Democratic majorities in the southern or
border counties of this State, and was defeat
in 1880 only by the maintenance of Gordon
along the entire river, from Cincinnati to
Mount Vernon. The patrol will have to be
established again in November. 1t is our only
hope of keeping out desperate and dishonest
Kentuckians who are anxious to help 'take
care of Indiana" The utmost vigilance is i'm
perative, and it is to be hoped that Ohio Re
publicans will be quick to apprehend and to
secure the arrest of Democratic repeaters and
bribers.