The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-11
THE FRAUDS TO BE EXPOSED
Republican Candidates Will Not Submit
to Double Ballots and Insane Voters.
Contests to Be Sustained Through Quo War
ranto Proceedings, Which Are 10 Be Brought
MISUNDERSTANDING State Returns.

Several OF the Republican candidates in
this county who were defeated on the face Of
the returns have definitely decided to enter
contests for their Offices. The PROCEEDINGS will
likely be instituted Tomorrow, either before the
County Commissioners or by quo warranto pro-
cssdngs in the Circuit Court There were ir-
reeularities in several precincts on which con-
tests he safely based. but it is
likely that the proceedings will specify
only the frauds in the third OF the
Twenty-third ward, and fourth Of Wayne
township. The Democrats do not deny that
frauds were perpetrated in these two precincts,
and many OF the best attorneys N the city have
given it as their opinion that there is ample
grounds to warrant any court in throwing out
the vote of both. If the contest is broueht, and
the contestants are successful there can be but
one result, that Of dominating altogether from
the footings the vote of these two precincts.
A recount, it Is said. will be OF
no avail. as il will not distinguish the illegal
from the legal ballots.
Precincts have been thrown out in this
county for much less frauds" said an attorney
yesterday, land see no reason why the candi-
dates should hesitate a moment to bring an ac-
ton. The frauds are glsring. and am sure
that no honest citizen can object to the
course that 10 to, be pursued in rela'
ton 10 them. The Citizens Committee Of
One Hundred should lend the Republican
committee its aid, and il the responsibility
for the frauds can be placed the perpetrators
should be punished. While the frauds are of
different character from changing tslly-sheets,
they are no less q crime, and the men Who COM
mitted them should be where Coy aud Bern
hamer now are. II they are passed over lightly
now, we may expect to have them repeated with
increased boldness at the next election. hold
that it is just as bad to stuff ballot boxes
and vote illegal voters as to change
tally-sheets after the vote has been cast and
counted"
The several candidates who propose to have
the election investigated began collecting evil
dence yesterday on which to base their proceed
ings. The statements secured showing that the
ballot-box in the third precinct OF the Twenty
third ward was stuffed have not been con-
tradcted. The inspector himself admits
that twenty more ballots were found
ers named on the poll-book. and
he SAYS he cannot account for the discrepancy.
He thought at first II might have been the fault
OF the clerks. but when the poll-books kept by
further explanation. The fact that one double
ballot was found in the box is very good evil
dence that more Of that kind were voted In
several other precincts the same thing &C.
Cured, and the Republicans are
confident that enough double ballots were cast
in the ninety precincts of the county TO make
the Democratic majority. While the stufing of
the box in the TWEEN ty-third ward is good ground
for . contest, the infamous manner in which the
insane were voted in the fourth precinct of
Wayne township is considered . stronger cause
for going TO the courts.
Evidence has also been obtained showing that
the intimidation methods Of the Dem
ocrsts kept out enough votes to have
elected nearly all the ticket In the Fourth
ward alone, twenty-five co,orsd men win, had q
right to vote would not come to the polls, because
they were afraid OF the ten or fifteen deputy
marshals who were threatening to arrest every
Republican. If the contests to be brought are
successful, Tineher for prosecutor. Fulmsr for
sheriff. and at least three candidates on the Re-
publican legislative ticket. will be aiectsd.