The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-22
WHITE CAPS IN ELECTIONS
They Issue a Lengthy Manifesto to the
Voters of Crawford County.
Charging Corruptions In Elections and
threatening Summary Punishment to
All Parties in Any Way Engaged IN 1t.

Special 60 the Indianapolis Jcurna.
ENGLISH. Crawford County, Ind, Aue. 2I-
One unique and surprising discovery IL the
White Cap investigation was the manner in
which the organization controls the elections.
They issue their manifestoes regularly, but 10
which party they belong il is difficult to tell.
They have never yet whipped any elector for ex-
ercisiug his preroeative. but the ensuing elec-
tion may bring it out 1t has been shown they
have already issued their manifesto for the 1883
elections. One night, not long ago, they called
in q body on the editor Of the English News. a
weekly paper. which they seem TO think is their
organ. Whether the editor protests against
this sort Of liberty or not csnnoSbe told. How
ever, he is kept in subsection by their threats,
and willingly publishes anything they give him
to save himself a world of trouble and the dis
grace Of q whipping. His psper recently con-
tanned the following:
Mr.. Editor-We hand you these papers, with
the resolutions that we, the White Caps, have
made. and demand that you publish them. We
also demand that you publish them just as they
are written. WHITE CARS.
STATE OF INDIANA. --
This is to notify all whom it may concern that we.
the undersigned do nledCa our
words and honor. at the risk Of our properly. homes,
families and our lives, that we viii carry out these
resolutions:
We wart it understood that there must be a change
In our coming conventions and elections.
We would warn all who think so much of money
ware OF bribery, and also the one that is the briber.
We want every man to come up and vote his senti-
ments and not balk against something. declaring he
is not going to vote and wanting paw for bis vote.
We are determined to stop this at the risk of our lives.
The one that buys or sells viii be detected. as we will
have men at all places, out at all times, and the guilty
party will receive a visit from us. And all other VIC.
iations, such as attempting to escape justice by .
bride with money, thereby Furnishing the innocent
and letting the guilty 60 free. We want every person
will spend all our time and means TO see that justice
is done to everyone. If this was done it would be
better for every man, and we would get TO remain and
take our rest. Beware.! Beware,,!
All that deserve q visit from US will receive one. for
this is going to be done all over the State, and we are
determined that Crawford county shall be among the
list.
We want no bribing whatever. We have endured
1t long enough. Our court IS becoming almost filthy
with the precious dollar" We also warn all that
are engaged in any large or small disobedience to he
ware. We are coming without delay 10 their
wants, and at our own bidding, not theirs. We do
nothing only for the love of our country and God.
Woe unto you who accuse anyone of being one OF our
comrades. for you know not what you are doing. Be
had better let justice do its duty than have your necks
broken, for justice is not an enemy to anything that
Is right. Remember. oh remember, that the officer
o@NoO 0HA q a Cl-O4 aCO1 " We
fear not any noise and are prepared to find out these
things.
PROCLAMATION.
In the teachings Of divine truth we there find
brides and regulations laid down whereby man may
be governed in q way and manner that will be APP
proved by God and man. But we find that man in
of the teachings of Him who created him and pro-
nouneed him not only good but very good. We find,
also. that man. born as he is, the noblest work of
God, became SO corrupt he heeds not the laws of his
country and has Lecome so fearless that he regards not
the penalties therein prescribed, but places all conf
bride the judge and jury. There has also been a prac-
tice broadspread through our country, which is obnox-
ious 90 the minds of the good people of the land. and
extremely dangerous TO the prosperity Of our coun.
buying and selling votes to nominate AMI elect per-
sons to Office. Now the aforesaid, uncalled for. IN
reasonable and ungentlemanly practice calls foi this
seal:
Whereas, There has been a plot wrongly perpe-
trated in our county. the buying and selling of votes
for the purpose of nominating and eiecting officers.
Know We. that on and after the publication of this
party. who shall beyond a doubt be found guilty of
buying votes for the aforesaid purpose, shall be
to not less than fifty or more than $50 lashes, well
laid on. Know We also that. while il is claimed that
unlawful transactions can be evaded by brib;ng the
filthy lucre." We look altogether to the restoration
of peace and harmony, and good society. and when
WHITE CAPS.
This manifesto is no moro OF less than q libel
on the courts. "Of course it is o gross libel
said Judge Zenor. land was only intended to do
harm. Our difficulty is when We try to get evil
dence to bring these offenders to justice. But
We hope to accomplish something soon, and
stop the lawlessness. There is not much
traffickine. if any, in votes at elections. The
county Offices are small ones. and accompanied
hv n@ov Dov fha rarrfc - houo
ever been bribed, / have as yet failed to hear OF
it. That proclamation is q gross SANDER, and
would be rebuked il the people knew the au-
thor
rebuksd, with any show of cause, was at Corydon.
Harrison county, in 1885. The Democrats were
in power, and the White Caps came to Corydon.
300 strong one night A gun was fired south
of town. and answered from the east, west and
south. They immediately gathered from all di-
%rections. and marched into town, and left long
notices at each of the newspaper Offices to be
printed. The notice was addressed to "Our
Servants. the Board of Commissioner It was
complained that the people were heavily bur-
dened with taxation. and the county
was groaning under its indebted
ness; they believe that much of
the money paid in by the tax payers. was mis-
applied; they we're dissatisfied with the appoint
ment of Judge Dsnbo as one of the investisa-
tors of the county records. demanding an in
vestieation by others more qualified They for
bid the purchase or county farm, oroered the
prosecuting attorney not TO investigate the reg
ulators, and demanded that the County Commits
~sioners keep aloof from the courthouse ring.
They forbade vote traffic. and declared that
they would terribly punish DO tn the buyers and
sellers of woes. They closed their declaration
by q terribly threat TO burn, shoot and kill If
the commissioners failed TO investigate. After
this an investigation proceeded, but one night
alleged White Caps visited the courthouse aud
destroyed the records. Considerable rottenness
was discovered, however. and the treasurer
found short In his accounts.
Ready tn Disband.
To the Western Associated Press.
NEW ALBANY. Ind, Aug. pa gentleman
from Crawford county. in the city, says: 1T is
known that the White Cap organization in
Crawford county held q meeting near Marietta,
Q few nights ago, and after q heated discussion
resolved TO disband the EQUALIZATION. This ac-