San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-03
SHALL THE RING OR THE PEG.
Pile RULE.
Let the People Answer at the Polls.

Let the People Answer at the Polls.
On the eve of the election We feel that
il is necessary to say a few words to the
good people of our city.
The campaign we have passed through
has been one of great earnestnesS on the
part of the supporters OF the citizens
ticket.
We believe we can appeal to the people
TO avert the injury and disgrace threat
ened to our commonwealth by combin-
alton of Office holders and the parties in
terested in the receiverShip OF the Aran-
saS Pass road.
Which combination has demonstrated
the fact that no means short of bribery
and corruption has been left untried to
secure its success.
The ballot box is to be invaded by a
hord of aliens, non-reSidents who have
been coloniZed within our limits to vote
down our untrammeled free men and citi-
zenS.
The naturalization of hundreds of men
on the eve of the election, for no other
purpose than to vote them, is a violation
of the spirit and intent of our state
constitution.
In the exercise of this naturalization
provision the solemnity and guard of
court with judge on the bench has been
dispensed with and the clerks of the
district and county courts have
turned their Offices into voter making
machines.
In view of this threatened outrage a
number of citizens of both political par
ties made application to the federal au-
thoritieS to enforce the provisions of the
United States laws. This action was not
for fear of fraud on the part of our bona
fide citizens, but if possible, to exclude
the illegal and fraudulent voting of a
hOrd Of cOlOniZpd aliens
This move was justified by the further
fact that the police force OF the county |
and city is in the hands of the combina- |
tion and we have every reason to believe |
would be used to intimidate and run
over all opposition.
We have made every endeavor to secure |
fair ballot and correct count.
But we must rely upon the support OF |
the intelligent unpurchaseable voters of |
this city to come to the polls en- maSse to |
vote down this combination.
We must appeal to the manhood and |
sense of right OF the people who own
our city, and are jealous OF their inter-
ests to prevent the success of the fouleSt |
conspiracy ever attempted upon the bal
lot box in the history of our state.
We have presented, by the most open
and fair means, ticket for county
officials that is composed of able, just and
upright men in whose hands our affairs
as they do the opposition to the methods
of the ring should command your unani-
nous support.
Our people have too much at stake to
permit their public affairs falling under |
the control of combination that banks |
on success by the use of means that
will bring disgrace upon our community.
By means that will be repeated unless |
rebuked now.
We have been accused of vituperation
and abuse when, in fact, the campaign |
has been conducted within the legitimate |
bounds of fair discussion. We have left |
the people to form their own conclusions |
from facts stated.
The opposition have refused 10 meet |
our speakers in joint debate, so that the
people might hear both sides of the con-
troverSy.
On the contrary, our opponents have
attempted to shield themselves from con-
viction by the cry of persecution and
abuse.
No misstatement has been too appal-
ing for their adoption: no miSrepreSenta-
ton too startling for their use.
When we made application for federal |
supervision we were met by an opposition |
based entirely upon the expectation of |
debauching the ballot box with cOlOniZed |
voters, and not from sense OF fairness or |
justice.
Our opponents feared the intervention |
of the federal power. because they did |
not control it as they do the state and |
municipal police.
We are justified in charging upon the |
ring conspiracy to pack the ballot boxes |
of the Forty fifth district with ballots |
cast by aliens and non-reSidents.
So open and barefaced is this effort to |
outcount the legitimate voters OF our /
county that it has not been disguised. |
So confident of success have these con- |
spirators become that they boast of their |
success in advance of the people voting.
But if the people will go
to the polls determined to rebuke |
this conspiracy, this combination, this |
shameless violation of the privilege of |
American citizenship, this threatened de- |
bauchery of the ballot box we feel conf |
dent our efforts will not have been in vain |
CITIZENS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
From Where It Came.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 3, $780, |