Evening journal., 1888-06-06

]. Alfred Collins of the 10Th ward distin-
Ruished himself to day by bringing
charge OF intimidation OF voters against
james P. Rstlidge, Republican and inspec-
tor OF the Cd district, 18th ward. The Of
fence, il was alleged, had been committed
at the election on last Saturday and VIII
liam Ratlidge. a brother OF the inspector,
was the alleged victim. The case was
heard by Justice Bertolette this afternoon
Mr. Collin. was assisted In the prosecu-
tion by Owen Hesson, Bernard McLaugh-
lin aud James Bradley, all OF the 18th
ward, while Anthony Higgins. O., ap.
pesred for Rltlidge. Collins, who
was the frss witness, swore that VIII
liam Ratlidge came to the
polls with o ven HessIon, who wss
a candidate for Council; that he laid
his ballos on the ballot-box, whereupon his
brother. the inspector, left his seat, came
out and ca,lei his brother aside; that d..
rectly the two brothers walked up
the street Int soon came back
again when William attempted to vote; ;
that not having bis tax receipt he was
asked to 90 hCms and get it, which be did,
returning in half hour and voting then
the Republican ticket presumably. Hes
sion testified to the same statement, ex-
cepting that Mr.. Pyle offered Rat
lidge a ballot as he came up to
the window, which 10 the estimation Of the
witness was a contemplate piece of work
and an insult to himself. who brought
Ratlidge there, and also to the latter
Bernard Mclaughlin retailed the same
frightful story, adding however, that Rat
lidge laid his ballot on the window-sill
and not on the ballot-box, as Collins
had sworn positively that he
did. James Bradley corroborated the last
witness All OF them admitted that James
Ratlidge used no threats or strong language
OF any kind in speaking to his brother.
Indeed they did not hear what passed be-
tween the two brothers.
Mr. Higgins then called up Alonzo T.
Dick srson. ons of the assistant inspectors,
who saw William Ratlidge come up TO the
window ana piece his ballot upon the
sill. James Ratlidge then went out and
had quiet talk with his brother, who
afterward vent home TO get his
tax receipt William Rstlidze himself
testified next TO having met Hession, who
took him 10 the polls In a carriage and
while on the road persuaded him TO vote
for him tHession): that some objections
were raised to his voting which led
him to say with an oath that he would not
vote at all that be went home, however,
to get his receip-, accompanied by Mr..
joyce, that on tho way homs Joyce told
him that Hsssion b "a just declared that ii
he was To Ia elacted lie wantai IL done
by Democrats and not by any damn
Republicans; thai upon learning this
be, Ratlidge, resolved to vote
against Hession, spd cid so. This closed
the case for Ratlidge.
Hession then wantsd Joyce to testify,
asking him as TO tho remark be, Hession,
had been accused OF making. Joyce |
promptly declared that Hession said exactly
what he told R4fltdge on the way to the |
latter's homs from the polls on Sat
urday. Hession hotly denied it. But |
there are Others who heard him say 80.
Justice Bertolstte thought that there was
a very delicate line drawn between this
case and intimidation. and that, therefore,
the case had to be dismissed.
The fact that Inspector Ratlidge left the |
election room 70 canvass voters has been 4
severely commented upon. but it is ex-
planned that all the inspectors in that dis |
trict did so, one going out at |
rime. But no ballots we're received during |
the absence Of any of them. There were
but "a votes 10 be received in the district |
and this left good deal of leisure time on |
the hands OF the inspectors.