Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-10-08

Pure Elections and Clean Governments.
The revelations which the investigation in
Cincinnati are bringing to light, says the
Boston journal, are the natural and necessa-
ry results Of what has been going on in that
city for several years. A few years ago a
gang got control Of the city which resorted
TO frauds upon tie ballot box 10 obtain their
hold. So powerful we're the leaders of this
conspiracy that they were able to control the
Democratic party and quite an element in
the Republican organization. For several
years there has not botn a fair election in
Cincinnati. There have been elections in
which the gang had little interest, and once
or twice it has been surprised and temporari.
ly beaten at the polls, but M a rule it has had
Cincinnati in its power. The purposes OF
the gang were various. Some simply desired
political power and influence, others were sat.
ishtd to hold offices, while many we're bent
on plumber. In proportion as their power
over the ballot box was secured the gang be-
came bold aud defiant, and the tools whom 1t
had put in Office became plant and unscrup.
ulous. The common thieves were satisfied
to rule the city and county, but the more am.
bilious politicians aspired to control the state,
United States senators and perhaps the Pres.
idency. The conspirators marked Mr.. Pm
deton-then United States senator-for mar.
tyrdom because he could not be controlled,
and by the exercise Of rufiianism at the pri.
msries and extensive and Systematic frauds ut
the polls secured delegation from Hamilton
county hostile TO him. Beaten at home M
Pendleton was thenoeforth discredited man
in the canvass. The gang then made terms
with the coal oil interest and Senator Payne
was made senator, AZ the Republicans and
many Democrats in Ohio in believe by the
purchase OF Democratic members of the leg
islature. This marked success turned the
heads Of the conspirstors, and they became
more bold in their plans and more defiant in
their execution. Last October another leQis-
lature was to be- chosen which would elect
United States senator, and one of the leaders
OF the gang aspirvd to that distinguished hon.
or. Early ON the evening OF the election day
1t was apparent that the Republicans had
carried the county, but before morning the
returns in several Democratic wards had been
so changed that the Democratic ticket ap-
peared to be elected by a small plurality.
The frauds in some instances were so patent
that they could not be defended neverthe-
less, the tools Of the gang who canvassed the
vote declared in favor of the frauds and af-
ter q long contest, the supreme court. of
which the majority were Democrats sustain
cd their canvass. The frauds were set aside
by the Legislature after protracted struggle,
the boards IN Cincinnati responsible for the
corrupt conduct Of affairs were abolished aud
the work of investigation has begun, which
has already resulted in the exposure of cor
rupt practices on every hand. The wrong
dong can all be traced to the frauds upon
the ballot boz. 1t is simply the old story
that laundering and inefficient management
always have their origin in election frauds
which result from the carelessness of intelli-
gent citizens.