The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-05
Boss Coy Stands By to See that His
Infamous Scheme Is Carried Out.
The Frauds Shaped with View Specially to
Counting Out Judge Irwin and Repub-
lican Members of the Legislature.
REsORTING TO FRAUD.
The Democratic Canvassing Board Boldl
Undertakes to Count Out Republicans.

The Democratic Canvassing Board Boldly
Undertakes to Count Out Republicans.
During the exciting campaign Of the past few
weeks the Democratic managers kept in view an
under purpose to make all they could out of the
canvassing board. even if the majorities went
against them Since the election they have
been disturbed by the appearance of the legis-
lative vote, and the probability of Republican
control in the lower house. Yesterday local
Democrats got the word from their leaders to
claim this body by majority of three or four.
In some instances it was confidently asserted
that the Republicans had lost in localities that
at first seemed to give them an election. There
was a purpose in this. and it developed strongly
as the canvass of the Marion county vote pro-
crossed yesterday. The Democrats secretly re-
allied that their hope of legislative majority
rested in this county. 1t would not be difficult
to get it il Sim Coy's after-electon schemes
could be successfully carried out. All day
Wednesday he had man at the court house
door to waylay inspectors who came to return
their bags of ballots to the clerk. In these bags
were, of course, the duplicate tally sheets, but
the sheets from which the returns were canvassed
from the last of the count by the election board,
until the inspector makes his returns to the can
vassers. they shall not go from his possession,
except by vote of the election board These
recount sheets are principally folded without be-
ing put in envelopes and sealed. Many came to
the board yesterday without any wrapping
whatever, while others had only a newspaper
loosely wound around them It was these re.
turns Coy wanted to intercept before they went
to the board. Goose Eden turned the inspectors
from the courthouse to Coy's rooms A dis
claimer came from the little boss that he did not
have possession of these returns when inquiry
was made of him. but it has developed that
some of them have been handled by others out
side of the election board.
The Democrats felt satisfied with the apparent
majorites for all the candidates. except those for
Irwin for criminal iadge and Grifiths for the
Legislature 1t was determined to count out
these two. A false majority for Ayres would
give them the Criminal Court, and one for Hugo,
the lowest man on the Democratic legislative
ticket might possibly restore to Thorn a control
of the Legislature.
BEGINNING OF THE CANVASS
count began at IL o'clock. The purpose to take
advantage of everything to accomplish their
ends was not long showing itself After electing
w. F. A. Bernhamer chairman, some one insist
ed that Clerk McLain should himself do the
clerical work. This led to motion to rule out
any of his deputies in that service. Mr.. McLain
said that with but one arm he was not physically
able to do it, and that he had procured John w.
Coon to keep the tallies. But the motion was
adopted, and then another came to the front look
ing to the election Of clerk by the board. This
also prevailed and yet Mr.. Nolan so strongly
urged his right to have his chief deputy dc the
tallying, and sustained by the law, that few
inspectors with sense of shame about them,
could not approve this high-handed proceeding
They protested mildly, but with the strong
assistance of W. FL. Morrison, Republican
elected inspector for the First precinct Of the
Eleventh ward by Joseph E. McDonald's re-
fusal to act, the board went back on its ac-
ton and the canvass proceeded with A. j.
Joyce, chief deputy clerk. in charge of the
tallies. Trustee Many. inspector of the First
precinct Of the Sixth ward and Mr. Morrison
were the only Republican inspectors from the
city. Mr.. Many sat with the chairman and in
spected the talles as their footings were called
off.
Bernhamer distinguished himself by return
ing his thanks and making great TODD about
his intention to conduct the count fairly and
honestly With few minor changes Of clerical
errors. giving no candidate any advantage, as
the losses and gains by them offset each other.
the returns up to the Second precinct of the
Thirteenth ward we're as they appeared in
the Journal of yesterday. When the Sec
ond precinct Fourth ward, returns came
up. Bernhamer said: "Gentlemen. the
certificate on these returns appears on
the first page of the list. 1t should be on the
last. What will you do with itl think it ought
to be laid aside on account of informality." and
laid aside it was, as the precinct gave Repub-
lican majority. It was decided once to count
the returns, as no difference Of totals appeared
between them and those of the tallysheet, but
Bernhamer insisted on having them put aside.
Franklin Landersz spector of the Second pre-
cinct, Sixth ward, when the Board reached these
returns, said they had been out of his hand. AT