Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1884-11-03
POLL COMMITTEES."
Tan LANCASTER DErOoUArs AGAINST
THrM.
Rewards UHsred Tor tho Arroas ana Convfcs
tion OF Men VINO hoy W sell Votes at
To.morrow's Eiections-UorruptIon

Rewards Uttered Tor the Arroa ana Convic.
tion OF Men VINO Buy W sell Votes at
To.morrow's ssisctions-Oorrupt,on
unasr tho aoise OF hire.
The following correspondence will ex.
plain ITSELF It relates to subject that
has been tho occasion of much complaint
In this city for many years past, at each
recurring election, and which all parties
have recoguiz ID as dem ,nding radical rc-
form sooner or later
CHAIRMAN HENsEL TO CHAIRMAN LANDS.
DEMOCRATIC Con- ov LANCASTER Co
LANCASTER, PA, oct 3, 1884
Chds. 4. lands Es9 Chr. Republican 60.
Com, LaHcdJtsr, Pa;
DEAR SIR: You will possibly recall
conversation had with you some time ago
on the subject OF the so-called "poll com
mittees" at tho election In Lancaster. Ia
accordance with what l said to you on
that occasion, the Democratic committee
OF this city at its last meeting passed q
resolution that at the coming election on
November aud hereafter, the Democratic
party of Lancaster would not hire, neither
pay directly nor indirectly any person for
any services on election day. l beg to as
sure yon that this proposition is made in
good faith and will be carried out in its
full iutent and purpose. There will be no
| hired "poll committees nor any device
whatever under cover of which any bribery
or corruption of voters shall be practiced.
| 1t is sn undisguised and undisputed fact
that there has been an alarming increase
| OF bribery at our municipal aud general
elections during the past six or eight years.
| Most of it ia practiced under the guiss of
hired "poll committees" which simply
means the payment of from one to two
| thousand voters and an expense to the
parties jointly, of from two to four thou.
sand dollars at each election. Some men
are paid 20 vote in accordance with their
pretended convictions, aud some against
them do not know which Is the more
disreputabe nor dol propose to be drawn
into any controversy as TO where the re-
spousibility lies for the origin and contiu
uance of this evil practice. | only know
that the tine has come when every patri
otto citizen, every honest man and every
wise p1litician must recognize tho necoes
sity of terminating this vile business. and
| propose 10 do my part toward that end.
! respectfully ask you in your official ca
pacity TO cooperate with me by securing (
Ike action on the part of your party.
Ipropose, in addition, to a,S jointly
with you ia Offering rewards, amounting
1
, persons who, directly or indirectly, buy o.
/ sell votes at the coming election in thi
> city. am authorized by very promi
3 uent member of your own party, to say u
| you that he has placed in my hands sl0
3 to bs devoted to this purpose. Oae OF N
= own political friends has given me lik
: amount for the same use. | too will ad
/ another 800 to il myself and, If you wi
agree 10 my proposition, will be glad I
arrange with you that its sincerity may b
publicly manifested.
/ will bs pleased to hear from you at o
early date, TO arrange details for what
conceive to be practical and desirabl
political reform, in carrying out which n
. partisan advantage is to be sought nor wi
!, be had, but our local politics will be pur
. fed, and those who epgage in them ma
preserve their sell respect. Awaitn
your early reply, am
! Yours truly,
= w. L, HENsEI
. Chairman Lancaster County and Cit
Democratic Committee.