The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-11-11
MIR. SiddaII Explains.

MN hAhklS: 30 muCn mas Deen sllu anu 81
many misrepresentation made in regard to
my course in the political campaign just closed
that feel required to state, in an open letter,
my position, what part did take in the can
vaSS, and give my reasons
L did not support a large portion of the
County ticket, nominated by the Democratic
Convention, so called, l made no effort to de-
lcat it with the exception of refusing my sup
port and making com plaint as to the methods
adopted. " hich shall hereafter state. never
went o. t OF this town on any political mission
during the canvass. never wrote or asked TO
be written. caused or consented TO any letter
being written To anyone to influence action
against the ticket nominated with the excer-
tiOn of one letter l wrote in response TO an in
quiry which had been made. and in that sim
ply presented my views, as shall i'll this letter.
never talked with dozen voters, in my judg-
ment who were not residents OF this place, in
regard to politics. Those to whom tai lk cd
here were men whe would not be influenced by
what anyone would say. This has been the
tent of my opposition.
1t has been assorted that Twas actuated sole
iy by personal motives rs against the aspirant
ior public prosecutor. 1t is untrue MIR. Phelps
and have been connected in business and 90
cial relations for ten years and have no knowl-
toward the other. There never was on my part
and is not now. Ii Mr.. Phelps had been nomi-
mated by u Democratic Convention properly
cSnven Il, and hot the exponent of Il had
cause, he would have had my earnest support.
have believed that at all times | have had
at heart the present and future eoOu of our
party. to the fundamental principles of which
L am strongly inclined by the iniGence Of birth
education and long active interest in their sup
port As to whether or not have erred leave
the people of this county to decide upon she
facts which shall submit
The vital principle in democracy is the equal
ity OF the citizen. The right OF the peopie to
meet. counsel and act togeIhc or, where uhe voice
and vote of one man shall not be silenced by
the fraud and trick of another is necessary to
that equality winch is the cardinal doctrine of
rur adopted faith.
The reasons why did not support the county
ticket as whole, are: lst, The democratic
electors OF this county, by acontemptible polIt
ical trick, were prevented from meeting, con-
sulting and acting together, and upen the au-
Ior of that petty scheme must rest the respons-
ibility OI the aterloo OF Nov. 2nd.
One year ago caucus of the democratic
voters of this township was called for the pur.
pose of selecting delegates to the Couuty Con-
fchtion W Dc htlu n Scnenle was 10 he carried
thror gh that convention, TO accomplish " Lich
this author of defeat must assume TO hims,ll
the right to name every man who would be en-
titled to n seat N that convention. The usual
hour for meeting in caucus. by long custom,
had been 3 O'Clock in tn evening. In fact, an
earlier hour was imp acticable, as many were
confined by business until that hour But this
disturber called together his friends and wire
m utlt "A st n nfy lPla
met at 7.S0 O'Clock. organized. selected his own
delegates and adjourned before the usual hour
OF meeting. This was not an accident. 1t was
u studied plan. lie declared it to be for the
purpose of "setting down" on some one. That
one is perfectly willing TO be . set down " on
by the Democratic party, but he dislik, the
annoyance of the light weight OF the gentle
man. Warming was then given that such
trick would not be repeated without a protest.
> This year caucus was called to he held ut
the usual time and place Another scheme was
on foot and this same disOrgAnizar spent the
larger part Of the day preceding the caucus in
and about the saloons across the Rhine get
ting written tickets which he had prepared
with the names OF % perS JnS to represent Ra-
VIENNA in the Democratic Convention INTO the
hands of voters and urged them to be at the
caucus. v hen stepped into the caucus that
night II friend handed me one OF these tickets
in the h ana writing of Ihi, political trickstcr.
Every man - across the Rhine was ia the eau
Gus, they had the right to be had It not been
the result Off petty scheme. Never before had
delegates been selected as they were that nj ght.
Not person was selected as delegate except
the persons whose names appeared upon the
ticket which had. King" Caucus. in truth
Inc result was that most OF tho active SUD
a1 al
stahtlal democrats Oh the township ana village
wuo LOT years hau oohe the WORK anu borne the
burdens OF Ihe caihpdlgh' without any nope or
expectation OF reward were denied the poor
privilege OF sitting in convention OF their
Political friends, while three members Of one
laml'y, as u result oil a political trick, repre-
sented our township and controlled The actien
of the convention L can give full details of all
here charge.
object TO ms one man power to the exclu-
sion OF others In the name OF Democracy /
protest against 1t and shall continue SO to do.
1t conflicts with the principles OF our party. Is
subversive of our rights as citiL ems, changes
the Judgment OF many int the will of one. de-
featsJus and rlSht. rewards fraud and CHI
cane, ana erects SHRINE at which you ana
must no h"maSe 10 the sacrihce Oh our man
moo" anu personal independence or incur Inc
ehmity anu rea our doom In the edict OF sell
imposed and seli-con>tituted political god. II
to be democrat l. TO submit TO this. AIN not,
never was and never Will be democrat Sim
liar tactics were employed in other townships
Tor the same purpose The convention, there
fore, which gave us u county ticket being Il
fraud upon the rlSuts OF every voter In the
county, bound nJ one who did not care to lie
bound by it, action.
Again, have always regarded 1t as part
OF wisdom TO make no issue Tor or against the
saloon element. The interests or the party ami
these men alike req Iira it. If an issue to Do
nude my position IL we'll known and defined
In that regard have been entirely consistent;
but have always insisted. and had 1 had the
privilege of sitting in the convention would
have insisted, that no issue be rendered upon
that score for or against 10 not mean to SET