The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-03
AT THE POLLS.
Perfect Weather, a Generally Full Vote, and
Mach Scratching of Tickets.

Perfect Weather, n Generally Full Vote, and
Mach Scratching of Tickets.
a brighter election day never came to Indi
Anapo!is. There was a bamy air and golden
sunshine from early morning until evening. The
superstitious reverence of Democrats for a wet
and gloomy day as an augury. of victory for
them was replaced by .discouraging signs
throughout the city and country 1t not
long after the casting of the first vote that the
acratcher appeared and he kept up his practice
with an energy and fullness that gave Republic
ans the liseliest hone OF success. Here and
there were manifestations of breaks in their Own
ranks. but the gaps were quickly filed by unex-
pected gains. Rampant Coyism, synonym for
all that IS mean and illegal in terrorizing honest
voters, in the use of schemes for frand and in An
unlimited faith in rascay political methods of
whatsoever description, had put the respectable
voter on his guard He came to the polls deter
mined to resist the slightest attempt at anything
like unfair balotine He was found stanch and
true at the places where his services were need
ed most Coy and his gang made the political
mistake of their lives in counting on apathy
where the tradition of off years has fixed it.
This condition seemed to be reversed, for Demo
cratic politicians who were never known to do
anything but 10 the earth in frantic claims
Of victory were noticeable for the subdued in
tefest with which they regarded the progress of
the voting, even in their strongest precinc,s.
The only visible signs of life from Coy and
his followers were numerous wagons driven
everywhere pacarded with
VOTE THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
..- -
Occasionally one of their vehicles would have
two or three men in it, bu. the majority of them
we're nnoccupied 1t required great deal Of
tie corrupti6n fund TO keep this dodge afioat.
It's purpose was to impress the community
shat Democratic voters were being carried to
the polls bs the hundreds. About every express
wagon iu town was utilized nthis way. The ex-
pressmen had good thing of it, but the invest
ment proved proftless TO the Democratic man
ayers ibid not have force enough as a rush
ing effort 10 cit out the vote" as the little boss
would term II, 70 cause comment While there
were crowds about nearly al the polls on The
North Side they seemed 10 be there in the In
Iefest Of the Republicans
At intervals of every ten minutes or iess
hack or buggy wonld he dashingly driven 70
She polls Out would jump Coy heeler, ot,a
all the Importance Ola manipulation of men AID
votes, to see how the affair was moving. Ps
QUICKLY ne W0uiu lump IN again and drive head
long 10 another precinct, congratuiating hims IF
that his presence merely had given an impetus
to the cause of corrnpt politics The hutter oc-
casioned hy his entry and exit would
soon sUbside, leaving the voting to 60
on as usual. The scratcher's lersistenev
appeared TO be the central point OF attack when
the gang managers found themselves badly cut
in their own house. The placarded wagons and
the hacks and buggies dashed more furiousy
from l0ll TO poll 1t was beating the air in an
endeavor to bring ont the reserves in order TO
overcome the wholesale scratching that went on
IN defiance OF threats persuasions and money
True, they had some consolation that at this or
that precinct the Republicans We're scratching and
paSnng too hutlhe net result left a big hole In
the Democratic ranks and wrecked tier con-
taence. In some places il was like pulling a
Aorss ont OF The nlre 20 induce Democrats. who
Eever before failed 10 he on hand early and late
TO cast a vote even for Sullivan and Tageart.
When disaster appeared in the morning as al
most certainty, the word went out 10 save Snl-
Ivan ard IaPgart by al means vwas carried
2 10 the bitter end. To secure these worthless the
rest of the Democratic ticket was used with
tnerciless purpose. IL was Impossible TO lead me
Republicans into general system Of trading
and, therefore. the only resource was 10 move
upon apathetlc Democrats with promise Ia let
them vote for whomsoeYer they pleased so long
they DID something to help the Coy favorites
along In this desperata strait money was used
In buying men of their PARTY. The usual
.agrset Of loaters was omen ana intothis Tagcert
and Sullivan rushed wifh their packe books
Ia some OF The WARDS these two men made no ex-