Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-02-13
mR. rrUnD's CONTEST.
Ask the People of perryspurg Abent
Hurd's Mctheds.

There are probably few places In Ohio
where the Democrats have "developed'
more perfectly than in this village since
Mr.. Hurd's contest, the part which he
played in that connection becomes fresh to
recollection, and may be Of some service as
showing his methods.
For number Of years this village and
township we're literally robbed by town
ship oRicials. Could the record Of the
township trustees be correctly given, II
would form, a chspier without = parable
for official cerrpp,ion, considering the
amour, Of funds at their disposal. Blu,
what l an, now thinking and writing about
IL the method by which the robbers con.
tinued themselves in Office, and other
practices In the came line.
The people we're greatly aroused over
the management Of their affairs, and resol.
we'd to have a change. For several years
with clear majority against the plum
derers, the people were powerless. The
township officials would select the election
board. In thnse days il was not unlawful
10 close the polls an hour for dinner, and
enc Of the members Of the election board
would take the ballot box home with him
to guard against fraud. Well, a few years
ago, the party who usually carried the box
home, thinking that time had secured him
against punishment, voluntarily told how
II was done.
This man stated that he waa provided
L.. Al. L. l. Il
clerk Of the board. Living nearest the
place of election, he would propose to carry
the box home with him during the noon
adjournment. Once at home, lie would
"peu the box, take ont SO or 100 s,rairhl
Republican tickets and put In an equal
number Of straight De;nocratic tickets
This would make the ticket, correspond
will, the humber of votes cast, but would
change the resnlt 20 the extent vi 100 or
200. The township wa1 Democratic to the
extent Of about 100 votes, aud yet il was
necessary on one or two uccasions, to
change 100 tickets, making n change Of
200 III the resnl', to'elect the Democratic
ticket. This man was, of course, paid
liberally Tor his crime out Of money taken
wronsfully from The people.
When Mr.. Itnrd was a candidate for
Congress. probably against Mr.. Pratt Of
Bryan, Wmd county was IN the district.
Mr.. Hurd had probably heard oi the
Perrysbare meihod and resnived to take
advantage Of il. BY appointment lie met
| Republican who had ,,cen engaged in
| these frauds upon tl.e bailo, box. The
meeting took place IN room at the rear
end oi saloon, and those who are in u
position to have information on the sub
ject, assert that then and there this ballot
box manipulator received 5000 upon \
contract 10 change 100 votes from Pratt 10
Hurd, making 200 difference in the result.
| The people here have NO doubt ~ TO this
Transaction. II hss been a matter Of pub
lic comment for years and the Democrats
treated II as thaugh they regarded II ~ n
sharp trick, or n good joke on the Repub-
licans. Now that Mr.. Hurd ia having
something to say about election frauds. /
thought IL good time TO show how his
preaching and practice corresnond in the
estimation of citizens OF Perrysburg. Cor.
Commercial Telegram.
These we believe to lie undisputably
truths and remember well the msrning
when the Republicans wero rallied out al
an early hour in the morning 10 assist iI
electing an election board that would pre-
vent the execution OF this frand upon the
ballot box. These facts make n mos
damnable showing for The parties engaged
in them, but the truth il not half told by
this correspondent. The fact that THU
same corrupt Republican should be put
in charge of the books of the Corporatier
hy designing men far more corrupt thar
lie was, and kept there and paid liberall,
for this dirty work from the funds OF til,
people until lie nude his bonsts that IL,
would defy any one TO tell what the in
de'dedness of the corporation was, M,
alter our people had got their eyes ops,
'omewhat to the outlandish swindlx bein,
Perpetrated upon them and decided tha
he must 60, and that his services az Al
expert book keeper were then required b,
the Republican Auditor of Wood county
are few Of the facts not brought out b!
the writer sf the above, although NOR
familiar to him than the Uurd trans
action. We trust this same writer viii
open up all these facts in his next.
The Duty OF State Legislatures
| T.epiaIatinn in arerv IA .hnuid ,.u,I.,a a.