The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18
ASTOUNDING DEMOCRATIC FRAUDS.
How SmaIls Was Counted Out-A Republican
Majority of "a, 900 Disappears.

How SmaIls Was Counted Out-A Republican
Majority of $4,000 Disappears.
Washington Special.
Information was received here, to-day which
shows. in part, the means by which Elliott. the
Democratic candidate was ''electedTto Congress
in the Seventh South Carolina district, on Nov.
2 The district, which is the largest one in the
State, contains actual Republican majority of
about $4,000 votes. The majority" reported
for Elliott is some no votes which was due, say
the South Carolina Democrats, to Republican
detection from Smalls, the Republican eandi-
date, ard TO the vigorous campaign made by the
Democratic party"
There has been no evidence of Republican
disaffecton. "The vigorous campaign made by
tho Democratic party is what did the business.
In Berkeley county, which contains twenty five
yoting precincts. the county canyassers counted
she votes of seventeen precincts which gave
Elliott total of 1880 votes and Smalls total
Of 922 vcsas, and refused to count the votes of
seven preciacts which gave Elliott total of 1913
and Smalls a total of 1878 votes. The remain
ing precinct, which usually casts 600 Republican
votes, was not opened at all. Muster House
precinct, which gave Smalls 200 majority, was
thrown out the ground that the Democratic
supervisor Of registration did not send the regis
tration book to the precinct that the certified
list of votes could be compared Herewith. The
votes of four precincts were contested by Elliott
on these grounds:
1.-THE protest of William Elliott a candidate
voted for at the general election which took
place on the I'd day of November 1885, for the
Office of Representative in Congress. respectfully
shows ~ That this protestant contests the
polling at the following precincts, and protests
against the counting Of the ballots cast thereat
on the ground that the same are irreguarly cast,
illegal null and void, to-wit at the the precincts
known as Haul Gap Enterprise, Central School
house and Episcopal Brick Church ~ That
the Irregularities and illegalties which took
place as follows: At Brick Episcopal Church
there was registration book, as required by
law: at Haut Gap. Central School-hnuse and En-
terprise the law providing the manner of con-
Quoting the election was not complied WITH the
polls were not surrounded by barriers. and the
provision of the law relating ingress and egress
Of voters was not complied with. Wherefore,
this protestant and contestant prays that oppor-
Eunty may be afforded him to make good such
allegations by proper proof, and that the board
do refuse to count the ballots cast at said polling
places"
This protest should be read in the light of the
fact that under the law of South Carolina it Is
the duty of the commissioners of elections in
the several counties to make suitable arrange
ments for conducting the State and federal cleo
tions The commissioners in Berkeley county
are all Democrats, and 1t appears that they failed
to place the proper barriers around the polling
places, and because they neglected to perform
thei- duty in that particular, they consider it
good ground to throw out the votes cast for
Smalls, especially the polls where he received,
large majorities while at the polls where Elliott
nad majorities and the same Irregularities ex-
sted the votes counted and credited to him
by the county canvassers. In Beaufort county,
where Small received majority of l.500. three
Of the largest Republican precincts were
objected to by Elliott These precincts
gave him 165 votes and Smalls TVS votes.
In Orangeburg county, Fort Mott precinct
rejected on the sole ground, so far can be as
certained, that it gave Smalls 236 votes and Eli
oft only So votes. In Richland county only two
precincts were counted. Gadsden precinct, which
usually give 600 to 700 Republican majority. was
not opened The State Board of Canvassers Will
meet on to- morrow A prominent Republican,
n letter to friend IN Washington, writes:
''Will the leaders of our party continue to sub
mit to such outrages2 Will the protectionists
Iubmit to such theft by the free-traders. re-
lucing so large majority to an inferior minori-
tyl There is no doubt the State board, which is
6nalty, will indorse the nefarious acts OF its
servants. Allow me to say, in conclusion, that
under our law the Governor appoints three COM
missioners of election for each county, or parts
of county, IN the congressional districts, and
that the commissioners of election appoint three
managers for each precinct in their counties. In
the eighty precincts not single Republican was
appointed Notwithstanding, Smalls received a
majority of more than !, 200 by their own count.
They are now seeking to steal that majority"