The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-11-03
MISCHIEF AFOOT.
Democrats Planning Fraud
in Indiana.
BALLOT BOXES TO BE STUFFED.
The Work to BE MethsdiealIy Dsne
All Over the state-Tickets to BE
Folded Together-The Democratic
Chairman Rejects Plan Go Secure
an Honest Vote.

AGBiAEAf0LA~s AhIN- --r-t 1tAktllA3A nus
ton OF the Republican state eenfrzl CON-
mittee, in his letter 10 Chairman geweft of
the Democratic committee yesterday. sug-
gested that inspectors be required to pl ace
a small rubber band around each ballot as
it was recorded, this band not 10 be remov-
ed until the ballots were taken from the
box This II was thought would preclude
the possibility OF any person deposising
more than one ballot.
Chairman Jewett replied as follows: y
do not believe such an agreement can be
carried out over the entire state, and am
sure no agreement we make can effect the
legal ballot in DISREGARD Of IT, Neyerthe-
less, as such an agreement may in some
degree conduee to fair election. If you
VIII put your idea N the form Of recon-
mendation TO inspectors win cheerfully
sign It,
ON receipt of this reply Chairman
Huston, acting on the suggestion con-
tanned in Chairman Jewett's letter, sub
Inifted an agreement officially signed for
the approval and signature of Chairman
Jewett
To this Mr. Jewett replied substantially:
Il said In my letter this morning that the
scheme was impracticable at this late day,
and since have learned that there are not
half enough rubber bands OF the kind
named in the state of Indiana, and ! am
therefore fully convinced Ii is impractic-
able TO get the bands and have them dis
tributed and fully understood by election
day. Besides, IL has been suggested to me
that any manipulation of the ticket BY the
inspector, aside from taking il from the
hands Of the voter and placing II In the
box, would be regarded with great distrust
by our voters, who are unused to any
such proceedings much better arrange
ment would be for the voter TO put the
band on the ballot himself, and the same
results would thereby be accomplished.
To this Chairman Huston acquiesced,
returning the agreement with the amend
ment embodied. and stating that he would
undertake to furnish all the rubber bands
required, the expsnse to be shared by the
committees.
) The correspondence abruptly closes here.
Toe messenger that carried Huston,s
amended agreement 10 the Democrat head
quarters tonight returned with a state
ment that Chairman Jewett said he bad
nothing more TO say. The character and
outcome of the correspondence is the sub
jeet of general comment tonight In polit-
cal circles.
Chairman Huston, when asked tonight
by an Associated Press correspondent
whether there were any special reasons of
general interest that led him TO propose
the rubber band plan and make such per
sistent efforts to secure its adoption, said
there were very urgent and important
reasons, and furnished the follow
ing written statement: Yesterday
we learned. from man who had
been taken into the scheme,
by the Democrats, that double voting was
TO be resorted TO by them all over the state.
This man was taken into room where he
and several other men from different coun-
ties were instructed in the art OF voting
double tickets. They were tod to fold and
iron smooth a number OF ballots the night
hzf.. oil fsr Df
ballots smoothed in that way were then to
be slipped into the folds OF the lawful bal
lot, aRd this ballot was to be held with the
finger fastened on the side of the ballot
opposite the outward fold, 30 that no one
could see there were ballots inside the
lawful ballots. The Democratic inspectors
were to be instructed to seize the ballot be-
tween the fingers in the same way and de-
posit In the box quickly
''0nce inside the box, the lawful ballot
would spring open and the spurious ballots
would drop out of its folds, especially
when the box was shaken or the ballots
stirred by the hand of the inspector in
counting. The informant discloses the
name of the man giving instructions, but
we are not ready to make 1t known to the
public. regret to say that he is an Indi-
ana man and holds his head pretty high.
These men were also Instructed 10 have
these tickets voted by electors who might
be bought on election day by the Demo
GIAlt, DNR uItGfNAIoe BuiN ti Ant
scheme was abandoned temporarily, for
fear the Republicans might watch the
voters too closely to permit successful
operation of the plan, and 80 the parties re-
ceiving the instructions were told TO get
the better class of Republicans to cast
these ballots. for they would not likely be
watched so closely by the Republicans.
These instructions have been given to
parties all through the state. and in order
10 encourage them they were told that the
same plan was TO be operated In New
York have accordingly advised
our friends In New York to be on guard
The remainder OF the statement partakes
of the nature Of party instructions regard
ing the subject.
THE DEMOCRATIC STATEMENT.
At late hour the Associated Press cor
respondent found Chairman Jewett at the
hotel and showed him Chairman Illusions
statement Mr.. Jewett talked freely about
the proposed agreement submitted n
Chairman Huston aud gave his reasons for
not signing the same. At the suggestion
OF the correspondent he sat down and
wrote the following statement. There
are many reasons why such arrangements
should not be made, and one very good one
why; II would be futile.
First the agreement would be incapable
of fuihllment, for the reason that II would
be impossible 10 get the bands, distribute
them and have the fact that they were to
be be used thoroughly understood at this
late day.
second, the law of states prohibits the
placing OF any distinguishing mark upon
the ballot. and these might be construed
as distinguishing marks, especially II of
different sizes or yarioHsly placed upon
the ticket; nor could any voter or inspec-
tor be compelled TO observe Il.
Third, II would be an innovation, for
the reason that such practice has never
been pursued so far as know IN this state.
Fourth. the right given an inspector TO
manipulate the ballot while putting ON the
band would give opportunity for fraudu-
lently changing the ballot or inserting ad-
di,iOnal tickets in each one, and thereby
preventing the counting Of other tickets
fifth, the agreement could not author
ize the election board 10 reject legal bal
lot found In the box without band
.'siXth, Il has been reported 10 Us for
some DAYS that persons VINO are strangers
in the communities where they have been.
are travelling over the stale, having no
known business. but who have visited Re
publican election inspectors N the corsmu- (
mites and no enc else. We entertain an
spngcheusion that they have been in
siruciing such as are corrupt enough 10 en-
gage In such WORK. how 10 substitute /
tickets. stuff boxes and commit other hal 6
loi-hox deviitry.
.'The ststencut BY Huston as to ironing
tickets. voting tickets aouhie. and that sort
~ thing. IN slang phrase, is chestnut {
The Democrats and better class OF people
rrnesaliy always regarded thc - statements {
~ merely intended 20 Instruct Republicans Z
how to commit these crimes. aud an iul 3
Piled request fo 90 ahead and commit /
then Any statement that the Democratic T.
organization OF this state has any knowi- .
eGsC Of of conuiYauce with any fraudulent Z
practice or intended wTpug ia connection
with the election IS entirely isise. aud /
challenge proof"