The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-06
THE TALLY-sHEEr FoRGERs.
How the Press Continues to Regard Their
Righteous Conviction.

will not be tolerated.
Anderson Herald: When these able manipu-
lators of ballot boxes and tallysheets shall have
returned from the penitentlary they will bring
home with them an experience that will be OF
vast benefit to them in the future if they are
wise enough TO profit by the schooling for which
they paid so high price.
Charlottesville Journal: The bosses in the
Democratic camp in this State may as well have
plain English. first as last. term in the peni-
Tertiary for these scoundrels will show them
that the people of Indiana are honest and pro
pose to throw off the grip of these machine poiti-
clans whose motto ia anything for success.
Columbus Republican: Personally. Coy and
Bernhamer are of little consequences. it does not
matter whether their sentence is light or heavy,
great principle is vindicated and the good
effects will be incalcIlable. while an acouittai
would have brought multiplied evils and estab-
lished precedent that no crime could be pun.
ished in Indiana if committed to aid political
party.
Plymouth Republican: The Coy gang reports
that Gardener says the verdict was not his YER
dict, and he wishes he had not signed It,. We
hope for-the honor of MARSHALL county this Is not
true. for at the best the action of Mr.. Gardener
in signing petition to Judge Woods asking
cemency for the convicted conspirators. has
placed Marshall county in an unenviahie light
before the honest people of the United States.
Terre Haute Express Anything less than the
infection of the full punishment of Coy and
Bernhamer would be mockery of justice. NO
ono has any doubt of their guilt and no one will
say the punishment Is not deserved. 1t the In
| dlanapolis Democrats who train In the Coy
methods want to raise fund to pay the ex-
penses of his trial they at perfect liberty to
do So but there is occasion for sympathy on
the part of people who believe in honest things.
Kokomo Gazette-Tribune: In consideration OF
the enormity of the crime the sentence is ex-
ceedinely mild. Many good citizens will hear
| with such moderation. If the distinguished
| jurist has erred in any important particular IN
| his hearing of the case, his mistakes nave ali
| inclined to mercys side. To his lasting honor,
| it must be spoken by all candid, honest men,
| Judge Woods has exemplifed in this trial those
| qualities, none too common, which go to make
| just judge.
AN OPINION AS is AN OPINION.
Hancock County Democrat.
Since the jury in the tally-sheet cases re-
| turned verdict OF guilty. as to Coy and
| up from center to circumference. The bulk
OF the Democrats and a large number
of respectable Republicans express strong sym
patty for the unfortunate men, and are anxious
that trial shall be granted A small
number of Republicans, following the lead OF
the journal and News, are anxious that Coy and
| Bernhamer shall be sentenced by fine and In
| prsonment to crafty their thirst for the blood
| of Democratic victim. The verdict was the
| result of q corrupt bargain and ought to be set
! aside
| Wabash Times (Dem.)
The conviction of Simeon Coy, chairman OF
I the Marion county Democratic central commit
tee is a signal triumph for that heartese and
| intolerant old tyrant. Judge Woods. Mr. Coy's
crime, correctly defined, consisted in Wrestling
| Marion county from the plaginR hands OF re-
morseless Repu blicsn officials. A politician OF
exception al popularity and adroltness, Mr. coy
| By his tireless and undertaking efforts, led the
| Democrats of Marion county to victory their
| opponents foes alike to Democracy and to good
| governments. He infused life. courage and con-
fdence into the Democratic party, aud. aided
| by conscientious Republicans who recoiled from
| the corrupt practices of their leaders. rescued
the county from reign of official rapacity IN
paralleled in the history of Indiana. For this he
| was marked by Judge Woods for speedy con-
| demnation ~* Possibly Mr.. Coy may be
| heavily fined by Judge Woods or sentenced to
the penitentiary but that is no indication or his
| guilt.
The conviction of the two tally.sheet forgers,
| Bernhamer and Coy, the latter the leader or the
| gang who have been trial for altering the re-
| turns of the election at Indianapolis In 1885, SO
| as elect the Democratic candidate for criminal
judge, a distinct gain for an honest oaiot-o ox
| in that State. The evidence In the case was
| overwhelming, and the whole proceeding was OF
| 80 much Importance that the President himself
| assigned counsel to aid the district attorney.
| They have done their work we'll, and all honest
| citizens of Indiana will rejoice that two of the
| scoundrels are now in a fair way TO get tnelr
| deserts, and will, Furthermore, hope that the
| same Justice will overtake the rest or tno gang
| who yet to be tried.
The attitude eff the Democratic party toward
| this case has been dsgraceful With few
| exceptions, it has rallied as an organization to
| the support of the defense, although no denial
| has been made of the guilt OF the indicted par
L
| was instigated by the Republicans for partisan
| purposes. though the jury was made ND OF mem
| bers of both parties. the prosecuting attorneys
| were Democrats. and Democratic President
| and Attorney general had expressed their desire
for a fair and impartial trial, and assigned coun-
sci to assist the district attorney. From the
| yery outset the Democrats have made 1t a party
| matter. With brazen audacity, the Dem
| ocratlc leaders and organs have attempted
the iury into an acquittal, upon other ground
| than the declaration that il Coy and his gang OF
| forgers were convicted the Republicans would
make q handle of it for partisan purposes. so
/ long as Perkins, the principal witness for the
| government, refused to make any disclosure
| they rallied about him. and when, after having
| been committed for contempt, he was released
| upon q writ of habeas corpus, they gave him
| reception. When, however the government
finally got him into its clutches, and he was con
| fronted with the alternative of telling what be
| knew or going to jaia for an unlimited period OF
time and chose theformer. they emptied the walls
| of their wrath upon him also. The defendants
| themselves had n hope of acquittal. but they
| did expect from the pressure and menaces that
| were brought to bear upon the jury ana all con-
| cerned in the prosecution that there would At
| least ps a disagreement, basing their hopes evil
| IDENTIFY upon the five Democratic members OF
the jury, but the result proves that It was An
honest, conscientious body OF citizens VINO %,
lieved that crimes against the baliot-box should
| be punished.
| for q new trial, and falling in this they expect
| to secure the escape of Coy and Bernhamer
| through an appeal to Judge Gresham; but
| they counting without tneir most III sney eA-
pect that Democratic buildozing will have any
| effect upon that righteous and incorrupnole
iurist or that he will interfere to save them
| from the punishment which will be dealt out to
the gang by the District Court There are
seven more of the consprators yet to be tried,
and as the evidence is su substantially the same as
that upon which Coy and Bernhamer have been
convicted, there is reason to suppose that
they will escape the punishment which they so
richly deserve. A similar gang IF tally sheet
fcreers, seven in number. Is now on trial at
Columbus, O. For three years they have sue.
ceeded in eluding justice. but at last the
citizens committee. which has had
tho case in charge. has accumu-
lated evidence which, it is believed.
will certainly convict four and possibly
all of the defendants. The Ohio Democratic
leaders ara attempting the same buldozing tao
tics as their Indiana friends. but the prosecu-
ton. with Judge Thurman at it's head, will not