The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-15
SENATOR JOHN SHERMAN.
He Arrives at Columbus and Returns
Thanks for His Recent Reelection,
A Little Plain Talk About Election Frauds,
the Prohibition Question, and Rela-
lions of Capital and Labor.

COLUMBUS, o.. Jan. 14.--Senator Sherman ar
rived from Washington over the Baltimore s.
Ohio road at o'clock this afternoon, and was
met bya legislative committee, and escorted to
the House of Representatives, where, in the
presence of the members of both branches and
large nn,..auce of interested spectators, he was
formally welcomed in an address by Hon.
George Washburn. Mr.. Sherman a~ Ar III
quite alengthy speech in which he returned
thanks for the renewed honor and confidence
of having been again elected to the Office of
United States senator from Ohio In the course
of his remarks, addressing himself to members
OF the Legislature as a body. he said:
''The time has arrived when there ought to be
an entire revision of the election laws of Ohio.
The time has arrived when both political parties
should address themselves to this question and
prevent fraudulent voting For myself 1 could
never see why, in this state of affairs, politics
great national questions. In state affairs you
should be patriotic, regardless of political
affiliations and regard this question from
the same standpoint. It is apparent
that there ought to be a general revision Of our
election laws Ohio is the only State in the
Union that clings to the idea that counties are
too sacred to be divided The purity of the bal
let is dependent upon single districts and small
voting precincts. The occurrences which have
happened recently should convince men of all
political opinions that radical change should
be made. invite your attention to the example
set by the great State of New York In that
State, in 1878. great frauds were perpetrated by
man whose name will be repudiated by any
party-Boss Tweed. Then it was that men of
both political parties went to work and reformed
their election laws. If it had not been done,
civil war would have been inevitable. Men of
both political parties resolved upon reformation,
and it resulted in the best election law in the
world. In the dispute, last fall. over the cleo
ton. they awaited the announcement of the
official VOTE and the matter was ended One of
the most distinguished men to bring about this
reform was Samuel j. Tilden tapplausel and 1
am glad to speak of it here In this respect
heartily concur in the recommendations made by
Governor Hoadly in his annual message, which
expresses my sentiments better than can. I
also heartily concur in the expressions made by
our gallant Governor, Mr.. Foraker. Cannot you
follow the recommendations of these men, to
preserve to every man one honest vote9
There is another question upon which de-
sire to say few words-the temperance ques-
ton. feel the importance of your legislating
upon this subject There is a growing senti-
ment in every State in this Union
to prevent the evils growing out of the traffic in
intoxicating liquors. This question ought not to
assume a political character The Legislature
of Ohio should address itself to this question,
ana enact wise laws going as far as
is consistent with the rights of citizens
The Prohibition party, as it is called,
is not represented by single member Of the
General Assembly, does embrace 1.-THE of
the people in TIE two great parties who believe
in wise laws to regulate or restrain the traffic,
and who differ only as to the best measures that
can be adopted for that purpose. 1T you will not
lay party aside and represent the people, higher
power will bring about this legislation.
There is but one other question | desire to
call your attention to, and that is the laborer
The good relations of capital and labor are de-
pendent upon the law of supply and demand.
You ought to legislate to secure to the
laborer, as far as law can go. the highest wages
and the advantages of social lifea The laboring
men are the foundation upon which all super
structures reared. The great body of the
people are laboring men. Therefore, the
first duty of legislator is to
look after the advancement of the
laboring class of our country. Give them an
opportunity to make their way in the world. Sc
cure to them all the advantages of education,
without distinction of race, creed, color, or any.
thing else Applause. Above all, secure to
them an equal advantage in their contest with
capital"
A reception to the general public was held in
the Senate chamber, this evening, which was in
formal and largely attended Senator Sherman
will return to Washington tomorrow, unless he
changes his plans.