Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-10-31
BEN. BUTTERW 0RIH.
HIS DENUNCiATION OF DEMO CRATIC
RASCALITIES IN OHIO

In a Speech at Music Hall, Cincinnati,
Free Trade Theories Completely Rid
dled-Necessity of Republican Success
rupt Criminal Gang.
A spontaneous outpouring of the peo-
pie greeted the Cincinnati congress
man, Hon. Benjamin Butterworth, at
his meeting in Music Hall on the even
ing of Oct. l2.
Maj. Butterworth began his speech
by outlining the privileges and the
duties of citizenship, urging every man
to go to the polls and vote for good gov
ernment. reputable candidates, such as
the Republican ticket presented. Pass
ing from that to National and then to
local questions, he said:
We are by our ballots to determine be-
tween two political agencies; one that is
sometimes wrong, and another that, is sell
dom, if ever, right; one that has the virtue
to correct its errors and atone for its blum
ders, and another which, l submit, per-
versely adheres to its errors and blunders
on. Whatever mistakes or blunders may
have characterized Republican legislation or
Republican administration, it is not credi-
BILE that any relief could be found in restor-
ing the Democratic party to power in the
state or nation If abuses have crept in,
either in the matter of legislation or admin
istration, the experience of this state and of
this nation is that the Republican party can
be safely trusted TO correct them, and the
same experience has demonstrated that our
adversaries, while capable of pointing out
errors, are incapable of correcting them
through the agency of their political party.
First-We are pledged to
MAINTAIN THE SAFEGUARDS
We have thrown around the ballot, in order
to secure full, free expression of the popu-
lar will, and give just authority aud infu-
ence of that will when ascartained Is
there any individual within the sound of my
voice who is familiar with the history of
elections in Cincinnati and in Ohio and in
the various parts of this Union, who can
conscientiously say that the interest of a
pure ballot, an honest count and true re-
turn will be better subserved by the COM
mitting those interests to the care and con-
troll Of the Democratic party? think l am
safe in saying to this audience that there is
no one in Hamilton county who will not, in
the light of what has taken place in this
city during the last quarter of a century,
assert that to restore the Democratic party
to power in this city and state would be to
absolutely imperil the freedom and purity
of the ballot. Even if it were true that
there has been a disposition to appoint a
partisan board, and 1 do not think that it is
true, yet, if it were, no one will assert that
the elections in Cincinnati have not been
orderly, peaceable and thoroughly fair since
they were conducted in accordance with the
election and registration laws No legisla-
ture within my recollection has ever de-
served better Of the state and the country
for a single act than that body which gave
us the registration law and the election law
under which our elections are now held, and
feel sure that Democrats and Republicans
alike who are interested
IN A PURE BALLOT,
And in securing and maintaining just meth
DDS to ascertain the will of the people,
would with their might resent any attempt
TO change, modify or repeal these wholesome
laws. l agree that these boards should be
non-partisan, but they must not lose their
vigor or healthfulness. 1 am thoroughly
satisfied that if there is a purpose to secure
an honest administration of these laws,
here is not the slightest difficulty in obtain
ng board, each member of which will dis
charge his whole duty, carrying out and
INTO effect the provisions of these several
avs
We have not forgotten nor has the country
overlooked the fact that, owing to the gem
,ral corruption which obtained in Cincin-
lad as a result of our inefficient election |
avs, and in the administration of corrupt |
boards, some years ago, Cincinnati fell into |
iismal disgrace, and almost every depart |
nent of the municipal government was |
eeking with rottenness, the whole criminal |
ldm nistration ending as I have before |
tated, in riot, the destruction of our court |
louse by fire, followed by ruinous taxation
o pay the damages. The Republican party
pledged to see that not one jot or title of /
he laws under which we have secured an
lonest election shall be repealed or their
orceful vigor destroyed.
The Democratic party, as I understand it.
las asserted that it would be part of their
mission, if triumphant in the state, to
CHANGE THIS LEGISLATION.
Brother Campbell says it would be to make
more efficient and fair, but our experience
nth Democratic legislation is a solemn
Var ing to US not to trust our Democratic
dversaries to improve on Republican lepis-
alton with reference to the ballot-nor in
act in any other behalf.
Second-We are pledged to see to it that
/ the manner of securing and maintaining
onest municipal government in the several
tiles of che state, no backward step shall be
aken. The experience of half a century
as demonstrated that we have not attained
ERECTION in municipal governments. and
nat competent and honest officers appointed
y the executive will secure better manage
lent OF the affairs of great cities than have
zen secured by committing them to persons
1osen by popular vote This ought not TO
g SO, but it is so nevertheless. If officers
opointed by the executive shall fail in the
sst manner to discharge their duties. if
Ill be because they will not be wisely
losen.
We are not to abandon a policy that is
BOD because it may be perverted by the
amer of its utilization. This might he
uly said of the purest and best svs tenn
D say that the appointing power would be
'tter In the hands of the mayor would be
lmpeach the wisdom of the executive. and
viii not do that Every citizen Of Cincin
I'll knows that it is in nowise difficult to
lect boards, every member of which will
we In fullest measure the confidence of the
ople. There are such men in public en-
oyment now
Third-The legislature will elect
UNITED STATES SENATOR,
nd that senator will have much to do with
aplng National legislation which will :
'ect the interests of all our people. 1t is
culiarly gratifying to know that the cleo
ms In the northwest no longer leave the a
htlcal complexion of the senate doubtful
e object of government is to secure as far
may be and to maintain equal opportuni- IT
for ali the citizens governed. The gov 4
lment cannot compel wise use of oppor- ~ ~
nifty, but it may, in some degree, prevent u
abuse. 1t is certainly the duty of the Ii
vernment, state or National, to provide al
far es is possible, by legislation, that that in
osperity which comes to us by virtue of
freedom and citizenship in the United n.