The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-09-24
OUTRAGEs on THE BALLOT.
Oliver T. Morton Presents the Black Record
Of the Democratic Party.
gveryal In che Iudf Iou-ual

Oliver 7. Morton Presents the Black Record
OF the Democratic Party.
Special to the indianapolis journal
GREEScAsTLE, Sept. 22-This evening the
Lincoln League and Harrison clubs were Ad
dressed by Oliver T. Morton. After briefly
stating the obligations of citizenship in relation
to the ballot, Mr.. Morton said:
Before going abroad for criticism, it is polite
rel profitable to look at home. The Dem
ocratic party OF Indiana bellies it's title. 1t is in
reality an olIgsrcby masquerading under a pop
ular name. During the last seven years the
Democratic machine has demonstrated, by a
series of acts ths, ths reorls of this State have
40 rights which il Is bonnd 10 respect aeed
not enter fuIv uetaiis.
You will remember that in 1881 the CoEstitu-
tion OF Indiana WAS amended by clause direct
ing the General Assembly to pass q registration
law. This measure was intended q safeguard
against illegal voting. Although the amend
ment was mandatory, it has been etudiousiy ig-
nored by every Democratic Legislature that has
met since the time OF It's adoption. Thanks to
the Democratic politicians wide avenue of
maud still remains open In Indiana
Secondly-You will remember that the Dem
ocratic Legislature OF 1883 passed one Of the
mos; Infamous gerrymanders that has ever dis
graeed the statute books Of any State. That
apportionnent intended to distranchise Re-
publirsns by making two Democratic votes
count as three; TO make Republican United
make more than three Republican Congressinen
IN the thirteen districts thing perhaps TO be
dreamed of bot never to be realized, the fond
and foolish hope OF the fatuous Ii is unneees-
sary to state that that apportionment etill OBJ
tans.
Thirdly-You will recall the forcible expul-
sion of Lieutenant governor Robertson from his
seat as presiding officer of the State Senate at
the meeting of the last Legislature. 1t is not SO
long ago that you have forgotten it Had Mr..
C.f Rnh
chosen at ths polls. We should have heard moth
ing from the Democratic party OF the alleged
ilegality OF the election. The popular will was
to be ovsrridden simply in furtherance Of the
reckless ambition OF q Democratic politician
who wished TO 60 to the United States Senate, but
could not, IL bis successor 10 the executive chair
should be Republican. The rufianly and rev.
oluntIorary act which followed q brutal
and deliberate usorpstion Of power o crime Of
violated sovereignty snd treason to the State.
Lastly-You need nos be reminded of the
taly-sheet forgeries in indianapolis in 1886. the
numerous trials that followed. the partisan dis
agreements of hung juries, and the ultimate
triumph or justice IN the conviction or two Of
the conspirators Coy, the chairman of the
Democratic county committee, and Bernhamer
another Democrat of local prominence. This
crime OF tally forging bears the mark of Demo-
cratic origin. The forgeries in Cincinnati,
Columbus aud Chicago, as well as 10 Indisn-
spolis, would seem 10 be pieces Of the same fab
ric, woven by the same hand. IL Ia incredible
that any party not thoroughly imbued with the
''swill theory" of politics should indorse those
iuiuuities. Yet in Indiana the Democratic
party has not only adopted the act of its repre-
sentatves In Marion, but IL has ratified that act
in every possible way. The failure of the Dam
ocratic State convention to repudiate the forger-
les and the contrivers of them may be construed
as negative official sanction. Every obstacle
was thrown in the way of the
prosecution. All persons connected there
with were covered with the vile ex-
,,f. 1..l- Il
who, undaunted by tho receipt of internal
machines and threatening letters WAS vindica-
ting the courage and dignity of the federal
bench, and who rendered TO this community a
service which IL can never forget, was the es-
pecial object Of venomous attack. Every Demo
| crat connected with the prosecution and with the
non-partisan committee of one hundred was
formally read out OF the party. The most de-
grading partisan appeals made TO the
| juries. the assumption being that when fealty
10 Democracy weighed against the sanctity
of Official oath the latter scale would kick the
heam. While the indictments were pending, a
| Democratic mass-meeting was held at Tomln-
son Hail. indianapolis, at which Senator Nc
| Donald and Governor Gray appeared as chief
mourners. Coy was the subject OF their
panegyric and the dshonored grave of his reputa-
| tion was strewn with the flowers or their
rhetoric These same gentlemen, together with
Congressman Bynum, also endeavored to induce
| the Department of Justice at Washington to
nolle the prosecution. All this would seem to
| be dear price TO nay for the privilege
| of leadership In the Democratic party.
| and reveals with startling significance exactly
| what element is in control of that organization
| in this State. Hospitality TO criminals seems to
| be a characteristics not only Of the national ire
form" administration, but also OF Democratic lo-
cal municipal government When Mr. Coy re-
Turns from his soiourn IN the Michigan City
penit-ntary he will resume his duties as a mem
| ber cf the Indianapolis City Council, his Demo-
cratic colleagues refusing 10 purge the roll of
L h.o -1ar.1 foo M
this whole affair is the repeated failure of jus
| tiee III the State courts Grand iuries dividin z
| on partisan grounds have failed to return in
| dictments. AT one time three Republican jury
| men asked the Criminal Court fol their dis
charge, on the ground that the three Democratic
| mem oers had refused to take notice Of the indu-
| bitaple evidence of the forgeries laid before
them by the prosecuting attorney. The instruc-
tions of the judge wera brazenly disobeyed, and
u the recrsant jurymen, who screened the crime