The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-18
THREE STEPS IN THE oRTME.

crime that has been engineered by the man
ayers of the Democratic party in this State.
The war against free ballot in Indiana was
begun long before this last campaign was
opened. When the last Democratic Legisla-
ture was in session the conspiracy was con-
cocted and put into shape, and when the com
ing Republican Legislature shall cause inyes-
tigation to be made, it will be revealed that
Democrats high in position have been guilty
of offenses in that connection that should con-
denim them to perpetual retirement from poll
tics, If not to prison. It will be shown, al
most beyond doubt, that the preconcerted at
tempt to Systematically disfranchise the
legal voters Of Indiana was conceived by men
who hoped to profit thereby, and was put
through by methods that will not bear inspec-
ton. From evidence already at hand it is APP
parent that corruption and force was used to
drive the infamous measure through the Leg
islature, Democrats honorable enough to pro-
test being ridden down by means as dishonest
and indefensible as can be conceived All
this will have to be looked into, and will be
| made plain.
The second step in the conspiracy to rob
the people Of this State of their rights as cit
liens was taken when it was found, on the
morning after the election, that the Legisla-
ture was Republican, and that the people had
4 ,1o e Ex,k
| appearance of rascality. Then the conspira-
tors realized that their scheme must prove
| failure, and probably result in their exposure
and punishment unless prompt measures be
taken to steal from the Republicans what the
people had wrested from the Democrats be-
| cause of their perfdy. From the Democratic
headquarters in this city word was sent out to
count out Republican members-elect. The
fact is susceptible of proof Messages were
| sent to various localities that meant just this
and nothing less. This was as much part of
the conspiracy as was that first step, which no
one has had the hardihood to defend Where
it was seen that Republicans had been elected
by narrow majorities it was ordered from this
city that returns be held back and so changed
that the result might be made to appear that
Democrat had been chosen instead of the
Republican really elected. In this CITY the
most shameless and fragrant attempt was
made to count out the Republican candidate,
Mr. Griffths, and the intention was openly
boosted, and the gentleman himself was
twitted by the scoundrels about the purpose
of the conspirators. The plan would have
succeeded but for the fact that those interest
ed in it made a mistake, making an error in
the number of votes necessary to overcome
his majority. 1t was only this that prevented
them from declaring that the opponent of Mr.
Griffiths was elected, in which event they
would doubtless have stuck to the claim with
out finchng. That was the second step of
the conspirators.
The third step was .aken when 1t was
J realized that this manner of procedure was
not likely to succeed. It was then deter
mined to make claim of fraud and corruption
against nearly all Republican Senators elect.
This was decided on in the city of Indian
apolis at time when it was impossible for
the bosses here to know anything whatever
of the merits of the cases they arranged
So anxious and SO desperate were the con-
spirators, who had twice been foiled that
they did not wait to investigate the situation
in any of the districts, hut by telegraph in
structed local Democrats to institute pro-
ceedings in several close districts; and il was
with difficulty that this was set in motion in
several localities, the Democrats there feel
ing that they would gladly be spared the
humiliation of going into such dishonorable
business, when they were convinced that
there was no truth in the allegations which
they were ordered to swear to. This is the
third step in the conspiracy.
The duty of Republicans is too plain to be
ignored or dishonored. The legal voters of
Indiana, aroused TO just indignation BY
realization of the infamy of the gerrynander,
rallied to the polls and defeated it by ma
jority ranging between 10000 and Is, 900, or
about three times the majority given the Re-
publican State ticket showing that it was the
determination to prove the condemnation felt
for such infamous business 1t is now for
the men elected by the people 10 do the
will of the people in this business. There
must be a searching investigation of the whole
conspiracy, from the time it was devised till
the scoundrels in this city, in obedience to
the bidding of their managers, attempted to
change the tallies, and did change them, and
the organized attempt was made to GUST Re-
publicans plainly elected in different parts of
the State The Republican party has care