The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-13
SOUTHERN ELECTION METHODS.
Shameless Trickery and Fraud Practiced at
the Recent Election in Arkansas.


Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.
LITTLE Rock, Ark, Sept 9.-The late elec
tion in this city and county was the greatest of
farces. If there has been a case anywhere
in the South that will show up greater depths of
deliberate villainy, your correspondent would
like to see the facts brought to light The people
of the whole country ought to know them that
they may see and feel the danger that threatens
them. This county, Pulaski, gave Blaine 300
majority This is, perhaps, a little large, as
some Democrats didn't vote in 1884; but there is
no doubt that there is a clear Republican major
ity of 1900. The election for State and county
officers is held on the first Monday in Septem-
ber. Two years ago the Democrats counted
in" all their county ticket except the clerk. This
officer since then has been the only Republican
serving in this county, which would be strong
hold of publcanism were there any show of
justice in election matters. This year will so
into history as the blacklist in deep-dyed fraud.
Both parties nominated fair tickets, the Repub-
licans dividing nearly equally with the colored
people. The canvass was short and spirited,
and quite full vote was polled. But from the
start there was determination to make clean
sweep for the Democracy as all hazards. The
county judge appoints the judges of elections,
ent political parties. This law was deliberately
disregarded, and VIGOROUSLY corrupt partisans
appointed in all cases. The Democratic sheriff.
who was a candidate for reelection, took occa-
sion TO appoint some two or three hundred depu-
ties, all Bourbon Democrats of the most un-
doubted loyalty to their chief These were we'll
armed, and stationed at the various voting
places, especially in the precincts largely Repub
lican. Some of the judges carried Winchester
rifles to the polls, and others we're armed with
revolvers This was intended to have
effect upon the colored voter In one
ward in the city a systematic plan
of challenging and other bulldozing was
carried on, so at o'clock when the polls closed
over hundred negroes were present who did
not vote. Votes were openly bought wherever
it could be done; but the crowning infamy was
still to be accomplished after the farce of voting
was over. These partisan judges knew just
what had to be done 10 overcome the large Ro-
publican majority, and they did their duty fear
lessly. In the township in which the town of
Argenta, just across the river. is situated, over
25O Republican tickets were taken out and the
same number of Democratic tickets substituted
They were caught in the very act Some four
or five good Republicans locked themselve up in
an adjoining room to the one in which the count
ing was going on, and watched the whole pro-
ceedings In another strong Republican town
ship, it is said, 300 votes were changed in the
same manner, of which act there is Just as
good proof as in the other case.
In another township the Republican vote
box was received at the clerks Office and opened,
it was empty According to law it should have
contained one set of tally sheets and all the bal
lots. The Judge who brought the box could give
no explanation of the fraud.
In ward of the city hundred votes
were changed. In another over two hundred.
In two wards no report was made till late
Wednesday night though the election was held
on Monday. These were held back to bear from
the county so as to know what majorities were
necessary.
After all this dirt, the returns show the entire
Democratlc ticket. elected by from 500 to 1,500
majority. Great excitement prevails. Honest
and candid Democrats do not pretend to DENY
the above facts, and some openly de-
nounce the whole business Just what
will be done is hard to tell at this writing Th o
State courts are so corrupt that but little is
hoped for. The last returns came in to-day at
10 o'clock. and the county clerk and two Justices
of the peace. as a canvassng board, will make
out and certify the returns to the Governor
It is thought the Republican candidates will
eGjoin this board in the United States Court
from making their report, as there were mem
bers of the legislature elected ard these are to
elect Unitad States Senator. This proceed
ing it is thought. will be warranted by late
decision under which the Chicago ballot-box viii
lalns were sent to the penitsntiary.
me most shameful thing connected with this
Wnole business is the venality of the Democratic
press OF this city. These papers claimed
before the election that the county was Demo
cratic with lair election, and claimed that every
precautlon had been taken to have such. They
predicted just what the msiorit;es would be in
The various precincts, knowing that arrange
ments had been made to count them out in that
way. In two or these precincts these papers
made sad mistakes in their estimates owing
solely to blnnder of the county Judge He hap.
pene0 70 appoint an honest man as one Of the