Daily Republican., 1886-09-22

1on Dei., a. second ciass mai mattef.
wEDN isDAY sKPranBHR n. 1850.
Snail 1hsre ~ . Union.
Mach hes been said in favor OF labor
kssosm, Temperance reform and many
sDshsr rsforms, but one Of the greatest
.Assds Of Delaware just now 10 thor
spush ballot reform, and until We hsvs
esuch . reform no other II possible. We
vote but our voses are mot counted, or
scounted in . contrary direction. The
SCUM Of creation u gathered mp, By the
-uss Of whisksy In some cases, monty
In others and promises In many, ana
they are taught 10 do the voting Of the
psople. An election day cot apart By
-vAs law and the constitution TO BE- IN
assembly Of the people 10 honestly ex-
--Yrsss thair opinions In regard 10 the
: RoveEnment they would have, has be-
como . day Of drunkenness, OF riot, Of
crime and Of fraud. Thugs and drunk
ards have been trained 70 be ct the
polls to vote early and cfep, and they
do Il oil the time. Repeating has be-
como 90 common that the voting that
they who put the most ballots In the
-box receive. the most credit The
worst and most unprincipled men have
been selected ~ election officers. The
main object for which they are trained
sand for which they are paid ID to stuff
9 the ballot boxes with tickets that were
not votsd except by their own sinful, I'M
clean hands. We need not wonder that
honest, respectable men testtate to 10 :
cept the cf{ice Of m inspector or clerk
~ IN election. A mention Of their
4oaoe reflection upon their character,
md they shrink from . position, that
should be one Of tho highest honor, with
loathing and disgust. "No honest
elections are now held" has become .
general remark and We regret to soy .
true one The ballot boxes are put Into
che hands Of the worst elements Of the
psople, and the worst elements stuff
them with ballots, while the best els-
nents known thst 1t 10 useless to vote
stay away from tho polls, and fraud
and usurpatlon have full sway. But the
darkest side OF this dark picture IL the
power behind the throne that manipu-
late the elections by cunning plans and
furnishes money and whiskey to de-
bsuch the rabble that do the suocessfui
voting. This power 10 not composed Of
the scum Of soc.eiy, by no means.
These men are they who hold the Offices
aAnd even move high In social society.
:, When elect ons are TO DO manipulated,
and made only the record OF . broad
-xArce, they are accessible by those who
set mp gigantic frauds and carry them
through.
Tho business Of these men who pull
the strings and make the puppets dance
II to furnish the swag to trusty lieuten-
ANTS who will put 1t where 1t will do
the most good. We will no doubt be
told that this is o severe arraignment.
We know 1t is. But who will say 1t il
not true one? That 1t 10 true, We
have the testimony of Democrats who
are ashamed and blush for the scanda-
lous frauds Of their party.
But how long are these frauds upon
the ballot and upon the people to con-
Hnue? The decent, respectable men OF
our city and State who love honesty
more than dishonesty, who love virtue
moro than vice, are still In the majority.
They can reverse this tide OF election
debauchery and fraud II they will. But
they can never do 1t by hugglng party
ties to their bosoms and voting for
tickets set mp by political wire pullers
and nominated by o bowling mob Of
deoauched drunken men, made 80 by
Ofhce holders and expectant Off % hold
ers' money. As the worst elements
have combined to debauch the ballot,
the best elements must combine tc
purify 1t. Democrats, Republicans,
temperance men and working men who
want h0suest elections must combine
together II theyz would have them. W.
believe the large hcajority OF the people
OF New Castle County are in favor o
honesty o. above pfsrty. What is wan.
cd, then, is to bresf r the forces Of fraud
by the power OF d victorious comblna
tion. This canno9 be done by homes
Democrats shutting their eyes, holdinf
their noses and swallowing . tickle
nominated BY fraud and ttickery. i
cannot be done BY Temperance mer
flying off at u tangenv< and occupyipG
one exclusive corner of Sthe field by
themselves and expecting all os,hers q
come to them. 1t cannot be ddne By
she workingmeu, who should ibe til,
most interested In reform, occui pyinI
another corner OF the political field
1t cannot be done by Republicans re
maining silent while fraud truum obs
But 1t can be done by . unioyl of all
y, and this union can be effected BIZ mutus
concessions for the good Of gi. Non,
can gain victory over the well. organ
lied forces Of fraud slone6 and NO 70
form can be effected until yhe army O
fraud IL broken and defeated. II th,
people will, it can be dope now. shal
II be done7 What say You, Democrats
Who have been sham)efully defraude,
md cheated? What say you, Temper
Anoe men. who are pushing on you
own work and making your own uomi
nations only to be defeated? What g.,
you, workingmen, who want honest n
form In favor Of an honest ballot an
laws to protect honest labor? VIVA
cay you, Republicans, you who hav
been shamefully disfrAnchised and de
frAuded ont OF your votes; you, VIII
but for dishonest election laws woul
have been the rulers of the State
What say you all? The forces of frau
can be beaten II the psople will 1t. ]
Ii In their hands to decide, and ther
we leave It.
FRANZ SCHEU, the deceased editc