The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-28
A HIGH-HANDED OUTRAGE.

election, on the vote for mayor and alderman in
the Second district, which was begun on Mon
day. developed trickery on the part of the DEM
ocrats until 1890 o'clock yesterday morning.
when an apparent truce and cessation in the
count were called for the rest of the night This
followed self-imposed mission by John E. Sui
Ivan, chairman of the Democratic central com
mittee, to Judge Ayres. He represented to the
Judge that the Second aldermanic district votes
had been canvassed and there was an apparent
majority Of one for Pritchard, but they the
Democrats, claimed that two or more votes had
been passed over with the express reservation to
recount the ballots again if necessary Il
was upon this alleged reserved right the
Democrats rested their claim for judicial
order for the count to be gone over again.
The Republicans resisted this claim, Commits
sioner Dryer refusing to unlock his side of the
balot-boxes that the seals of the bags contain
ing the ballots might be broken and the second
recount made.
Sullivan returned from his visit with the word
that the Judge would not come up at that time.
but, with the understanding of the case as repre-
scented by them. instructed the commissioners to
go on with their work The Democrats said this
ASASA&SN SNSOAAA
trict aldermanic votes but the Republicans
would listen to no such Interpretation of the
message
1t was then decided to rest until morning but
about three hours later another effort was made
to secure written order from the Judge This
was done through Congressman Bynum and
lawyer Beck, representing the Democratic con-
testants, who drew up an affidavit setting forth
the claim to the reserved right of another re-
count, and the refusal Of the Republican COM
missioner, Mr. Dryer, to accede to the request,
or to give up his keys to the box containing the
ballot-boxes, Commissioner Holt holding the
second key. Judge Ayres still declined to make
any express order. but gave a note to his callers,
who were Sim Coy and John E. Sullivan be-
sides Congressman Bynum and lawyer Beck.
Nothing further was done until about half past
8 o'clock yesterday morning when the watchers
and commissioners reassembled to go on with
their work.
SULLIVAN AND COY TAKE THINGS IN HAND
When the commissioners were called to order,
few minutes consumed in wranele over
the question left in allegiance at the time the
watchers and commissioners separated, a half
hour after midnight. At 8:55 o'clock in the
morning, Sim Coy handed Commissioner Dryer
the note from Judge Ayres, which was to this
effect IF the Democrats have reserved the
right to count votes passed over, in my opinion
they have right to recount the ballots, but I
will make order without hearing both
parties. If you can't go on peaceably, or come
to any unanimous decision, let me know before
start for Danvlle and will come up there in
the morning." Whether this note was given to
Sullivan on his midnight visit to the Judge or to
him when he repeated his call with Bynum,
Beck and Coy, is not definitely known, but it
was in their hands hours before 1t came to Com
missioner Dryer.
Said a Journal reporter to Coy, when did
Judge Ayres give out that note2"
81 don't know" replied Coy.
where did you get It'll"
Sullivan gave it to me and put it in my
pocket. I gave it to Dryer when we met thif
to morning"
Eat S:55 o'clock, after Judge Ayres had gone
Danyille2"
II don't know about that gave the note to
Dryer. That is all"
Sufficient time was given Commissioner Dryer
to read the note, when the Democrats renewed
their demand on him for his key. They main
tanned that the order of Judge Ayres gave them
the right to recount the votes canvassed the day
before. Dryer refused peremptorily to give over
the key, and took bis seat on the box containing
the ballot boxes, the latter holding the sealed
bags Of ballots. The wrangle became hot and
furious, with knock down imminent at every
assertion of claim and counter-claim. County
Clerk McLain was present, aud the Democratic
commissioners, Ayres and Holt demanded or
him that he should change his TALES and foot
ings so as to give Ripley a majority. This he
emphatically refused to do and taking the right.
in the absence of the Judge. reread the entry
constituting the board and providing for
the conduct of its proceedings. To
this the Democrats paid no heed,
but reasserted their determination, with ener-
getic profanity, to recount the ballots in the
Second district at any cost the Republicans with
equal vigor protesting against any such act.
They went at the point at issue with zeal mo re
aggressive than polite which the Democrats
met by becoming more and more desperate at
each refusal of their opponents to unlock their
side Of the box.
BREAKING OPEN THE BALLOT BOXES.
AS the discussion led to confusion, and from
confusion to line bordering on violence, John
E. Sullivan, chairpan of the Democratic central
committee. went into the bailiffs room. and.
after absence of minute or two, returned to
the courtroom, where the scene had reached an
intensity Of aggressiyeness on the part of tho
Democrats and resistance on the part of the Re-
publicans Sullivan hastily stepped TO the side
of Commissioner Holt, who rushed toward the
box with Ratchet uplifted, and rapidly rained
blows upon the lid and in another
instant had the balotb boxes ut the mercy
of himself and his fellow-commissioner Ayres.
In seconds time the seals on the bag OF the
first precinct, Third ward. were broken and the
ballots scattered on the table Violent protests
were made by the Republicans, but the Demo
Gratis took possession of the ballots. County
Clerk McLain, in protesting against the OUT
rageous proceedings, said that the kspuoncann