The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-06
BRANYAN'S UNLAWFUL VOTE
The DiscreditabIe Record of a Demo-
cratic Congressional Candidate.
Irrefutable Proof that James G. Branyan Vic
lated the Election Laws Warning to Ex-
Senator McDonald-Campaign Notes.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
MARION, Oct ga musty document. some
what yellow with age, which will prove mighty
interesting reading to James O. Branyan. Major
Steele's opponent in the congressional race il
this county. was brought to light here to
day. The document referred to is the
official list of those who voted in this township
at the election of State, congressional and coun
ty officers, on the second Tuesday in October
1853 The list shows that James G. Branvan
was the third voter who cast his ballot at that
election. The poll list with the taly-sheet &C
companying, is properly signed and certified to
by the inspector judges and clerks of the cleo
ton board.
If Mr.. Branyan voted at the October election
in 1858, as he undoubtedly did, the evidence is
indisputable that he exercised the right of suf
frage at the rather premature age of nineteen
years On page 2S9. Volume l. of the printed
proceedings of the Kidd Steele contest, Mr.
Branyan, being on his OATH testified as follows
my name is James c. Branyan; age, forty six
years"
This testimony was given on the 10th of Feb
ruary, 1885. Again. on the 10th of April, 1885,
Mr. Branyan being Oh the witness stand giving
evidence bearing on the same contest testified:
MY name is James G, Branyan; age, forty-six
years" Vol. /, page 342
If Branyan was forty-six years old in 1885. it
follows that he born in 1899 If he was
born in 1889 and voted in 1853 Ii tile addition
and subtraction shows that ne voted two years
before he had a right to.
Again on page 344 of the printed proceedings
of the KiddSteee contest, Mr. Branyan testified
that he had been resident of Huntington town
ship. huntington county, since 1S45, except
during the years 1868 and 1869 From this evil
dence 1t appears that he was not only minor,
but nonresident, when he voted in Center
township, Grant county II October. 1858.
Something of a commotion In political circles
was caused when the discovery of this record,
which, after the lapse of twentyeght years,
comes up to plague Branyan, was made known.
1t is conceded by his political friends that this
fact in Branyans political career will draw from
his support large numbers, even of the rock
ribbed Democracy, who are usually pnfiinching
In their support of the ticket Years ago Bran
yam left the Republican party. as he says, on
account of its corruption but this act will cause
Mr. Branyan to be the defensive from this
time until the election.
There is no doubt of the identity of the Bran
yam of 1858 with the Branyan of 1886. He was
then student in the Indiana College, then il
operation in Marion, conducted by Rev. Samuel
Sawyer, who is still resident of this place.
Several of the leading business and professional
men of Marion were his schoolmates and have
kept track of him since. No will seek
to deprive Mr. Branyan of that tenn
pering and mitigation which the lapse
of time gives to criminal offenses, but a
club has been placed in the hands of his adroit
and seepless political opponents with which he
will be mercilessly beabored from now until
election day. The chances for the election of
Major Steele in this district are steadily improv-
ing, notwithstanding the odds against him. Re-
ports from all parts of the district bring infor-
nation of dissatisfaction among the Democrats,
growing out of dissatisfaction with the admins
tration, and disgust with the puerile gable of
Branyan on the stump. Bets are freely offered
by Republicans that Major Steele will be his
own successor, with few takers.