The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-03
FRAUps AGAINST THE BALLOT.

IhhGUO AOhlNDI Iuh DAAAO1s
As is usual in such cases, there seems to be
a disposition to drop the investigation into
the BrandLeman election frauds in Chicago.
Convinced that rascality was attempted, or
advised that the authors Of the fraud are
likely to be discovered, the Democratic con-
testant and his friends expressed a willingness
to drop the whole business" and the Repub
lican candidate having received his rights,
why not2 That is the argument; and the
legitimate outcome of such speciOus adjust
ment is that generally the officers of law are
called off just at the moment when about to
lay hands on the offenders against
law. The crime of tampering with and
altering election returns is grave enough to
call for the most severe punishment. 1t is
not enough for those who attempted
fraud to "concede" the election of the
man whose rights they sought to steal Nor
is it right that the fairly elected
should consent to remain silent when
he gets his own, but recognizes the conspira-
tors that tried to despoil him. And if the
two do agree to drop the matter-the one con-
ceding because about to be caught, the other
accepting his own, only glad to get what was
so nearly taken from him-the public and the
officers whose duty it is to enforce the law
should see to it that, instead of being
dropped, the prosecution should be pushed
with every legal energy to
successful issue in the arrest conviction and
imprisonment of all engaged in the plot to
corrupt the ballotbox and defeat the will of
the people. To.all appearances the trail is hot
at Chicago-so hot that the plotters and bal
lot-box suffers would fain cry truce and
give over their swindling attempt Let the
investigation proceed, and the very hour the
guilty parties are discovered let them be ar
rested and held to trial. One Of the greatest
triumphs for the people Of New York city, and
one bringing about the most benefcent re-
suits was the prosecution, conviction
and imprisonment of BOSS" Tweed
Indications are that Chicago has a
BOSS" Tweed among the prominent Demo-
cratic politicians of that city. The readiness
with which the Democratic contestant is will
ing to give up the contest only proves that
some big Democrat is in danger of being i'm
plicated. Already it appears that the fraud
ulent tickets were priated more than two
weeks after the election, and that the fraud on
the ballotbox was perpetrated after it was in
the hands of the county officials. Let the in
vestigation proceed, and if any man seek to
impede it or to discontinue it, let it be dis
covered why such effort is made.
country who has followed this thing
but knows, beyond the possibility of doubt,
that somebody has attempted to swindle the
people, not only of Chicago and Illinois, but of
the entire country. The demand everywhere
among honest men is that this plot be sifted
to the bottom. If big men be caught in the
process, SO much better for all the people,
without regard to party prejudice. Honest
men of every shade of political belief want
honest elections. Nor is it sentiment only;
the safety of the Nations political institutions
is involved. If it is ever established
that bad men, thieves and scoundrels,
can manipulate election returns to suit their
own base schemes then is popular govern
ment at an end, and election by ballot an ex-
pensive and complicated farce. If any man
in Chicago fears the fullest investigation of
the ballot-box stuffing recently discovered or
favors dropping the search for the guilty
parties, now that the man elected by the peo-
pie is about to receive his dues, he himself or
some of his friends must be involved in some
manner and dare not let the search 90 on.
The people, however, demand that it proceed,
and with reason expect the landing of big fish.
1t is said that prominent Democrats there
are so thoroughly alarmed that a proposition
has been made not only to give Leman his
seat but to furnish Democratic vote in the
Legislature to re-elect Senator Logan. If
such proposition has been made it is because
of the fear they have of investigation, and
should be spurned accordingly. 1t is quite
certain that Gen. Logan will not consent to
be the beneficiary of such corrupt bargain.
Let the contest stand on its merits, and see to
it that none of the scoundrels escape.
THE SUPPRESSED VOTE.