Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-09-02
The Political Rupture in jefferson Co

The Political Rupture in Jefferson Co.
The outrage perpetrated by Col. John
O'Fallon and few other parties on
the Democrats of Jefferson county, in
the late Judicial contest, is bearing its
fruits in an independent movement
headed by some of the strongest men
and best Democrats of that county.
It is only natural that the wrongs
complained of should be resisted sooner
or later. And if only the authors of
the wrongs were to be punished, it
were we'll. But for the general inter-
ests of the party, we regret the split,
and hope some way may yet be found
to heal the new departure. The party
should be kept solid and wrongs re-
dressed within it. From the address
put forth by the Independents to the
Democrats of Jefferson county lately,
in making several nominations for
county officers, we make the following
extract, by which our readers will see
how completely the complaints made
in our columns at the time are verified
and also, how fully Iron county's can
didate for the Judgeship was justified
in his withdrawal from canvass so
conducted
"The following resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Whereas: That during the late con-
test in Jefferson county for the Demo-
cratic nomination for Circuit Judge
methods were resorted to that were
entirely unbecoming. and which re-
suited in the defeat of the will of the
Democracy of the county. To men,
ton some Of the methods referred to
we state that in Rock township the
place of holding the Democratic town
ship meetings has for many years been
Gated, and a strong Democratic COM
munty. But that in fixing the place
for the township meeting for tie Judi
cial convention the Committeeman of
the county for the Judicial circuit or
dered 1t held at Kimmswick, which is
at the extreme edge of the township,
and is strong Republican community.
He also ordered the meeting for Joa-
chin township held at Crystal City,
which is located at one edge of the
township, and is Republican precinct,
instead of having it held at Baily's
Station, which is conveniently located
for the Democrats of the township,
and which is the place at which such
meetings have been held for many
years.
Said committeeman also refused (al-
though requested SO to do,) to direct
that none but known Democrats should
vote at such township meetings unless
such persons, not Democrats, would
pledge themselves to vote the general
Democratic ticket at the coming elec-
ton. And also refused to direct that
the voting at the meetings should be
by ballot. These methods had effect
of practically DISTINGUISHING many
Democrats of those townships on ac.
count of the distance to which the
meetings were removed from them and
of enabling Republicans to vote, which
they did at pleasure. Colored tickets
were printed and voted in some town.
ships, for one of the parties to the con-
test. Such were printed for use in
Joachim township but were not used,
as vote by ballot there was refused.
In Vale, and Joachim townships large
numbers of well known Republicans
participated in the township meetings,
and when an effort Was made to pre-
vent them from voting, they with such
promptly voted down resolutions to
the effect that said meetings should be
controlled by Democrats only. In
Joachim township after the meeting
composed largely of Republicans had
voted down resolutions to exclude Re-
publicans. and to vote by ballot, the
delegates who were afterwards admit
ted to the Hillsboro convention, which
sent delegates to the Ironton Conven-
tion, were appointed by the chairman
of the meeting, without submitting
their choice to the decision of the vot-
ers. After which large number OF
Democrats present organized, and by
ballot elected delegates. In Vale town.
ship large number of Republics MS
participated in the township meeting,
and in company with some Democrats
voted down a resolution designed to
prevent their voting, whereupon a
large number of Democrats. seeing
that the Republicans held the balance
of power, and that they intended to use
it, withdrew and held separate meet
ing, and elected delegates. The meet
ing containing the Republicans also
elected delegates who were afterwards
admitted to the Hillsboro convention,
which sent delegates to the Ironton
convention. The result of these pro-
ceedipgs in Joachim, and Vale town
ships was that two Hillsboro conven-
tions were held, and two sets OF dele
gates sent to Ironton convention. The
delegates elected by that convention at
Hillsboro which contained the dele
gates appointed by the chairman in
Joachim township, as above stated,
and that elected in Vale by the aid 81
Republicans. were admitted to the
Ironton convention and the others were
excluded.
A majority of the Democratic nomi-
nees now running for county office in
the county, were in hearty sympathy
with the methods which resulted in
these frauds on the Democracy of the
county.
Therefore be it.