The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-10-11
THE BALLOT
Combined Efforts of all Parties to
Prevent Illegal Voting IN
Indiana.
Opinion of a Prominent Member
of the National Demo cratic
Committee.

INDIANAPoLIs, October 5.-Anent the
proposition of Chairman Jewett, of the
democratic state committee, to Chairman
Huston, of the republican committee, that
each should name forty -fve members and
the prohibitionists ten members, to con-
stitu.e committee of 100, whose duty it
shall be to prevent illegal voting, Chair
man Huston to-day makes a reply to
Chairman Jewett, wherein he says:
"You are doubtless aware there is now
existing committee of 100, which is
non-partisan in its character, having for
its president and chairman of its execu-
tive committee democrat; its attorney
prohibitionist; its secretary and treasurer
republican. This committee Is made
equally of democrats and republicans,
and has for its object the
prevention and punishment of illegal
voting and of election frauds of every
description. Being already organized
and having had valuable experience in this
workings of organizations to accom- plish
the same purpose, it can certainly be
more effective than any new committee
that might be formed at this time. With
the consent and hearty approval of our
committee l have forwarded to the
treasurer of this committee my check for
$500, which sum shall be expended under
their direction in giving rewards for the
apprehension of any person violating the
election laws of this state. l can assure
you that the republicans are now, and
ever have been, in favor of an honest
ballot and fair count"
Mr.. S. p. Shearin, secretary of the
national democratic committee, in an
interview this afternoon touching Chair
man Huston's response, said:
regard Chairman Huston's repose as a
most extraordinary one, and public dec
laration. that the managers,of the repub-
lican campaign are not only not ia favor
of an honest election but ab5olutel yOp-
posed to it. There can be no such thing
as a non-partisau committee for the pre-
vention of fraud at elections, majority
of the membership of which and the en-
tire central organization of which belong
to one political party. We do not demand
anything of the republicans for which we
are not willing to give full equivalent.
1t is not so with Mr.. Huston, who speaks
for the whole republican committee. We
want fair and honest election, and we
will go to any extent to bring it about.
There can be no satisfaction or honest
effort in that direction unless each polit.-
cal party is fairly represented, and wheth-
er or not it is fairly repres anted is a mat
ter that their respective committees
should be permitted to decide"
Mr.. Shearin continued:
"Chairman Huston is untruthful in his
statement that this committee is made up
equally of democrats ard republicans.
The truth is two thirds Of the local COM
mittee of 100 are active, working republi-
cans, and the remainder democrats, indie
pendents and prohibitionists, and that its
executive committee, which has full control
of the whole business, is composed of
fourteen members, only five of whom
have ever claimed to be democrats. The
facility with which Chairman Huston,
after the receipt of Chairman Jewett's
letter, dumped $500 of the republican
campaign fund into the treasury of this
ocel committee it seems to me is proof
positive that, whatever the intentions of
that committee may be-, Chairman Hus-
toms intentions are to make il con-
venient excuse for his positive refusal to
enter into an organization for the en-
forcement of law without fear of favor
The committee of 100, referred to by
Chairman Huston, was organized In 1856.
It's first president was William Henderson,
q relative of the late Vice president Hen
bricks, and close personal friend of
Samuel j, Tilden. Henderson is yet an
active, prominent member of the com
mittee, also a leading member of whole
sale grocery house here, and is chairman
of the executive committee, with W. H.
Hobbs sanratarV