Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-07
Getting at the Truth.

Tho S,,-;rc,ar committee, which is H. |
,-os+f,,.tjn, tho charges against United
states Marshal Wright, Of Ohio, is DIS
covering some very startling facts Inc
immersion is very strong that the Repuo-
lican managers arranged to carry the
october election in OHIO by force, and
that Marshal Wright was their chief IN
strument. a Republican victory in ONO
in October, in their opinion, meant the
election Of their Presidential candidate In
November.
Marshal Wright will not, Of course,
disclose ANYTHING that will place MS
party friends in an unfavOra0le hght De-
fore the country if he can help IT,
He admits, however, that he appointed
1900 special deputy marshals in Cinein-
natl. and that they were all Republicans
He also admits that ne did not know
whether they were men OF good or bad
character. and that they were armed
In fact. he says that 600 revolyers were
sent 70 him from New York to be dis
tributed among these deputy marshals,
and that they were distributed. Who
furnished the pistOlsf On that point
Marshal Wright is not clear in his
testimony. He admits enough, however, to
leave no doubt that they were furnished
by the Republican National Committee.
Is there another instance in the history of
the country where a national committee
furnished arms 10 a hastily collected force
Of government officials to be used at an
eIectiOn1
What was it that it was proposed that
these 1900 deputy marshais in Cincin-
natl should dor Was itnot proposed that
they should attempt 70 keep away from
/ the polls as many Democrats as possible,
and assist the Republicans in getting
their ballots in ballOt-bOxes? There is no
other reasonable explanation Of the ap-
pOintment and arming Of so many ire
spOnsible deputy marshals.
The Republican managers played a
very dangerous game. 1t is remarkable
that more lives were not lost on election
day in Cincinnati than there was. The
people were highly incensed at the con-
duct OF the Federal officials in filing the
streets and surrounding the ballot-boxes
with armed rOughs, and with very little
| encouragement they would have attacked
| them. What the result would have been
it is easy to guess. There would have
been bloody riot, and many lives might
have been lost and much property de-
! strOyed.
Early in the campaign, when 1t was
said that the Republican managers were
desperate, and that they would not hesi-
/ tate to use any means to secure success,
there were few who believed the state
ment. Does not the testimony of Marshal
/ Wright show that it was true? That the
| Republican managers employed part Of
their campaign fund in purchasing arms
I and ammunition, and that they found
| Federal officials ready to use these arms
and obey their orders, are facts that go a
long way to prove that greater Outrages
on the baIlOt-bOx were contemplated than
the public suspect.
And yet this party that is now being
| proven 10 have contemplated carrying the
late election by force and fraud is all the
time crying out for free ballot and a
fair count. 1t is a good thing that 1t has
| been beaten and that it will soon be out Of
| power. 1t had become dangerous party
! Had It retained possession of the govern
ment 2 while longer it is probable that
it would never have yielded to the will
Of the people expressed at the ballot-box.
! IL would have attempted to have held on
/ u the government at any cost.