The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-06
FRAUDS OF A NOVEL DESCRIPTION.


How Davidson .EIected"-McDuffie'
Votes Counted for Hrs Opponent.
Washington Special.
The contested election case of McDufie against
Davidson. of the Fourth Alabama district, pos
sesses some features of peculiar interest. The
nncontradicted testimony shows that Davidson
was counted in by the most unblushing and sys
tematic frauds. The Republicans were allowed
70 east their baliots-there was little no in
timidation-but the ballots cast for McDufie
were counted either for his Democratic opponent
or for a man of straw set up for him, who did
NOT actually receive 100 votes in the district
Bearing in mind that the Fourth district was
fixed by the Democrats Legislature SO as to con-
tain the heavy Republican counties. with an ag-
gregafe Republican majority Of Is, 600 to 10000.
some facts shown by testimony which the Dem
ocratic contestee did not try to rebut Will De or
interest
As 20 Orville precinct Dallas county, "Harri-
son Ellis swears that he issued 242 McDufhe
tickets to Republican voters and saw them
voted. Lance Bryant witness for contestee.
swears that IL the inspectors only counted "a
votes for contestant they failed TO count some
Of the votes he received; that 200 Republican
voters cast their ballots. and only for
testee. Yet the inspectors only counted "a for
contestant, but 163 for contestee."
As to Martins precinct, in the same county,
sNathan Stratton swears that he issued 1854
McDufie tickets to electors, and Ned Hetway
swears that he saw the tickets so issued to the
colored voters handed the inspectors; still the
inspectors counted only IL for contestant, but
$40 for contestee."
Respecting Mitchell Mill precinct, Dallas
county, Lott p. Thomas swears that he issued
BOT McDufie tickets and saw 303 put their votes
in the window; still the inspectors coun ted only
"a for contestant, but 200 for contestee."
At Union precinct. in the same county. the bal
lot box was stuffed: "Afie Jones swears that
he issued eighty-six McDufie tickets to electors
and saw them handed to the inspectors; still the
Inspectors only counted IL for contestant, but
BIO for con estee."
AS TO Browns precinct, also in Dallas county:
"Charles H Walker swears that list was kept
outside of voters for McDudie and it contained
the names of 282 electors; that after the vote
was announced by the inspectors tho Republican
electors expressed great dissatisfaction and that
a meeting was called and $50 electors put down
their names having voted for McDuffie Lewis
Berid swears that he issued McDufie tickets to
electors, and saw 285 electors vote these tickets
and they were anxious to vote the McDufie
ticket. w. M. Ellerson swears that he took
down tho names of the electors who voted for
McDufie, and that he took down 1l5 Carson 40
and Holmes lis; that they sent for Democratic
tickets, and after explaining the difference sent
them in tho woods for gun-wads, and that the
voters wanted only the Republican tickets. and
still the inspectors only counted 52 for contest
ant, but 207 for contestee'
The facts relating to Snow Hill precinct, in the
same county, epitomized follows: Dan
iel Carmichael swears that he issuing Nc
Dufie tickets and keeping tally of same; that
AIS electors voted there that day for John V.
McDufie. Started to take down the names of
voters, but Mr.. Burson, Democrat issuing out
Davidson tickets, stopped him. Carmichael
then tailed piece of pasteboard Saw them
all vote. Six colored voters voted for d. s.
Turner. and for Davidson. About 100
whites voted for Davidson and one white for
McDufie. On cross-examination, says he
knows exactly how the colored voters voted.
Nathan Scott says in his cross examn alton that
he stood in front of window; also each and
every one deposit his vote with inspector; votes
counted for contestant, Is; contestee, 451."
So much for Dallas county, at every precinct
IN which the same kind of fraud was perpe
trated. 1t is not to be wondered that the off,
cial returns Davidson SOB votes and Nc
Dufic only 7l3 votes in that county.
One more citation from the brief Of testimony
will be found interesting. 1t relates TO Union
town precinct Perry county. in which David
son, the ontestee, lives, and is as follows:
''George A Clarke swears that he issued $50
McDuffie tickets to electors and took down their
names and saw them vote those tickets. Fount-
ain Hudson, an inspector, swears that 400
electors voted an open McDufhe ticket, and that
Ajax Pitts. q nephew of contestee. counted the
ballots, put them in sack and took charge of
them, and that he told Pitts. If you don't give
McDuffie more votes than that they will take us
to the big house. and that A. ID. Pitts replied
that Uncle Alex might well have them
McDuffie.' Ned Braxton swears that the colored
voters were anxious to vote the McDuffie tick
cts, and that he watched them and did not
any of them change their tickets. David Lacey
swears he was keeping tally near the door OF the
city hall aud Tailed over 100 when A. Q. David
son. contestee, stopped him, saying that he had
nc legal authority to do itn
The record of testimony shows that at every
precinct investigated in four of the five counties
which compose the district like frauds were
committed. In Lowndes county, in which con-
testant lives there were two Democratic fac
tions In the August election of 1886 McDufie
lent his aid to of the factions in considera-
ton of which he was assured Of fair play-which
no received at the November election. The re-
result was-the votes being counted cast
that be was credited with 2. 070 votes and David
son with $40 votes. OF course the frauds shown
in the sestirnony could not have been so easily
committed il the election machinery had not
been in the hands OF Davidson and his friends.
Other gross frauds of different nature from
she one above described are shown by the record
Of contradicted testimony.
RIGHTEOUS WRATH OF MR. SCOTT.