The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-11
HOW IT W ASDl(NE|
SPEAKER REEDS ENORMOUS
PLURALITY EXPLAINED.
PARTLY DUE TO CORRUPTION FUND.
Portland Dispatches RoidIy Proclaim
That Money Was Used without Stint
by the RepubIicans-Shame Bri-
berry Mt the PolIs-Gilt-Edge Fraud

PORTLAND. Maine, Sept. 10.-Tl!e
following dispatch was sent to the
New York World from this .ciI-
Speaker Reed is e-elected by the
largest plurality ever given toa caldi-
date in the district. Complete returns
from all but five towns give him 16, 001
and Frank 1880. Dir. Reed has re-
ceiyed fewer votes than in 1888, but
the great falling off of the Democratic
vote has given him great majority.
The towns yet to hear from are
mostly Democratic and will reduce
his plurality somewhat, but not very
much. Reeds plurality will be be-
tween 1900 and 400.
The election has been carried and
this great majority secured for Nr.
Reed by the most fragrant and open
bribery of voters ever seen in this
city. There have been votes bought
in this city before. Hardly ever has
there been an election at which some
buying has not been done, but it has
heretofore been done with some at
tempt at secrecy.
The Republicans bought votes in
every ward in this city. Perhaps the
Democrats would have bought some,
too, if they had had money to pay for {
them, but they dif'Ss ---.,zSz.s-s
Ever since Mr.. =. =Tivate secre-
tary drew from a. BANK in this city
last Friday q large sum of money.
many thousands of dollars in 81 and
50 bills, the air has been full of the
prophecy of today's reality. The au-
thority for the statement that the
money was so drawn is one of the di-
rectors of the bank, and his name can
be given if necessary.
The Democrats had no money, and
they could not hope to meet Mr.. Reed
and his allies on any such basis. The
most they could do was to gather evi-
dence of the unlawful use of the
money.
The Seventh ward of this city is
the gilt-edged residence portion. In
it, more than any other, live the truly
good people who make up the Re-
publican party. 1t was in this ward
that the most open buying of votes
occurred. The polls were located in
a school house. AS one enters from
the street he comes into u large hall.
and on either side is class room used
for recitations. Passing through this
hall, or entry, one comes at once into
the larger room, where the election
was in progress. On the opposite side
of the room is the platform on which
were the election officers and the bal
lot box. The polls opened at 10
o'clock, and the vote-bu> ing began
Immediately. By 12>O'clock business
was brisk, and as O'clock, the hour
for closing the polls, drew near there
was more to do than could comfort
ably be attended to. The most con-
spicuous of the Republican workers
who were buying votes was Thomas
Heffon, who lives at No. 40S st. John
street. There were others who were
doing the same work, but he seemed
to be the most active. The mode of
procedure was simple. Heffon would
stand at the door till voterappeared
whom he thought would prove vic
tim.
Then he would be invited into one
of the .ante-rooms-as Heffon said,
ito take a drin'l'' This ante-room
had been reserved by the janitor of
the school building for the exclusive
use Of Heffon and those whom he per-
mitted to enter. After tarrying 10
the ante-room for few minutes,
Heffon and the voter would come out,
the voter always in front and Re
publican ballot in his hand. Heffon
would keep close along behind him
and would sometimes push the man
along.
When they reached the platform
the voter would step inside the rail-
ing and Heffon would keep along
beside him on the outside. as the
other waited for his name TO befound
and checked, Heffon would take from
his own pocket sometheng wrapped
in a piece of paper. The paper was
generally piece of a ballot. One OF
them had been so firmly held in the
hand that the imprint ola coin about
the size of silver dollar is plainly
discernable.
AS the voter came out from behind
the rail after voting. Heffon would
vigorously shake hands with him, and
at the same time force the piece of
paper and It's contents into his hand.
Most of the voters put the papers
into their pockets withoutlooking at
them and hurried into the. street.
There they would take out the con-
tents and throw the papers away.
The Tariff Bill Passed.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 10.-In the
cono+o +odov oonol,d;no sneecbes on