The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-01

tuey were WuICuGu 81 CIOsNlS 10 pVlhHP1
due more to this fact than to any other
cause.
NOT A NATTER OF SURPRISE.
1t is not, therefore, surprising that as
Il result OF this inspired vigilance OF hon
est Republicans throughout the State,
reports are coming from many counties
OF unprecedented ante. and post election
frauds on the part OF the Democratic
party managers OF West Virginia. The
people have witnessed, with shame, the
disgraceful mannerin which Hon. G. W.
Atkinson, their chosen representative in
Congress, was defrauded ofhis certificate
Of election, and in their surprise and in
dignation Mt that criminal proceeding,
have, for the moment, lost sight oil as
great M outrage that's being perpetrated
on the whole people.
While the leading Democratic organ
publishes daily columns o. trnmped up
charges OF violations OF the election law
by the Republicans, under this cover
the bold attempt is being made TO de-
prive the people Of their lawfully chosen
Governor. So far, however, it appears
that il frauds affecting the Gubernatorial
vote have been committed, they have
not been on the Republican side.
In this, the home county Of Judge
Fleming, the Democratic candidate,
there is ample evidence that in order
to carry the county for him, and defeat
his brilliant antagonist, the most unIaw-
iul methods were resorted to, aud in
some respects they were even worse
than those practiCed in Logan and other
counties where intimidation and irregu-
larities at the polls can be proven.
AN INVESTIGATION NEEDED.
An investigation OF the manner in
which the election laws were violated
in this county, would be fruitful OF re-
suits. Inquiry among responsible citi,
zcns OF both parties develops the fact
that actual intimidation by the Demo
cratic bosses was practieed in this coun'
ty. | telegraphed something about this
last night. II is known that men were
discharged and threatened with dis
charge by Democratic employers fol
voting the Republican ticket. Dozens
Of Republican voters were kidnapped,
that is, they were, by some means, sptr
tied out OF the county before election
day and detained until after the poll'
we're closed. Some unsuspecting ones
on pretexts which seem to have beer
satisfactory to them, were shipped II
Wheeling, One, whose name have, wa
sent to Wheeling in charge Of lninol
son OF n Democratic candidate. In somI
instances these Republicans were thu
made way with by being promised EN-
ployment in neighboring counties
Strictly speaking, there was nothing
illegitimate in this, and only mention
the circumstance to show to what desper
ate straits and to what expense the De
mocracy went in the effort to carr!
Judge Fleming's county for him. ThI
voters thus handled were men who's
votes could not be purchased outright
This expensive method OF depHYinj
them oftheir votes altogether was theI
resorted to. There were great man!
such cases. have the names OF o few
OF the victims.
But there was real corruption in thi
county. 1t is matter capable OF proc
that votes were bought. Some were paiC
for with cold cash; some with whisky
some with promises OF office and EN-
ployment, but all were purchased il
violation OF the statutes. Boys who hav
not reached the age OF 81 years wer
voted, and men who We're not citizen
OF the county exercised the electiv
franchise. In one precinct fifty illega
ballots were cast and the names OF thos
voting them are known and will b
made public at the proper time.
NUMEROUS IRREGULARITIES.
There were numerous. Irregularities
some sufficient TO cause the throwing ou
Of precincts-others Of so serious a natur
; as to demand an investigation by tn
grand jury. Yesterday l was told abou
an unique ballot box which has been i
use for some years in one precinct.
: is divided into two compartments, wit
> slot on the top over each compartment
In the one side are dropped the ballot
OF men known to be Democrats, and /
the other are deposited the tickets {
Republicans. In counting the vote th
. Democratic side is emptied first, aite
. which the Republican side receives a
= tention. II there is q surplus OF ticket
a in the hox-that is, II there are moi
4 ballots than the poll book calls for, III
\ surplus is burned. The Republica
tickets being the last counted, of courc
the loss falls there. When the con
missioners OF election were informe
/ that this whole proceeding-the use Of
ballot box so constructed, rs well as Il
: manner OF counting and disposing Of II
s surplus-was irregular and unlawfu
4 they professed surprise and innocenl
i Of any wrong intent,
Q These are some Of the wrongs perp,
Il trated in Judge Fleming's home count,
IS They account for the Democratic najo
Y itV. The RennhlicnnR hem did mob