Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-25
Nine Men Swear That They
Cast Ballots for Him,
ARRESTS WILL BE MADE.
Republican Politicians Ready for the
Primaries.
SOMEOFTHEMANY WARD CONTESTS

In the eighteenth WarQ DenOcIatlS
primary fight was held at Alderman Nc
Neirny's Office last night
Messrs. Dwyer, Bracken and Lydon, the
three candidates, surrounded by about a
dozen voters, were comfortably ensconced
around the big stove enjoying the hospi'
tslity of the squire, though that dignitary
was not present in person. An adjoining
back room, connected by door, seemed to
be a sort of sanctum sanctorum, and occa-
sionally little group would adjourn and
discuss matters of a private character.
Messrs. Bracken and LydOu seem very
much wrought up over the result of the
election as announced, and charge the most
fragrant violation Of the law on the part OF
Mr.. Dwyer and his adherents. In replying
to the question what steps he had taken or
proposed to take in the matter, Mr.. Bracken
said with an emphasis that left no doubt as
to his earnestness:
81 have been around among the voters
with view of tracing up this fraud, and l
have succeeded in doing SO. l took nine
men to-day before P. NJ. Gushing, Notary
Public of Lawrenceville, all of whom swore
that they voted for me, and have % more
men willing to swear the same whenever
called upon.
HE CHARGES FRAUD.
1.-THE whole thing was deliberate fraud,
and an outrage which will not be tolerated.
One man has carried out his system of bull
doing for years, and it is time to call a halt.
Some of these men will have to 60 to the
penitentiary, and that will teach few of
the others that their game cannot be worked
any longer with impunity."
When asked if he had heard a rumor Of
two offenders having been arrested, Mr..
Brscken said: "No, 1 have not, but you will
hear of some arrests tomorrow. Why, they
absolutely brought people over here in skiffs
from Sharpsburg and voted them, and
among Others they voted a man who lives on
Twentv-eighth street, and drives a wagon
for a grocer. His name do not know, nor
do believe many others do in this ward, as
he is not a resident"
Mr.. Lvdon when interviewed, expressed
himself with equal positIveness of the course
he had pursued and intended following in
the matter. He said: "Twenty-three men,
all voters in the Second precinct, volunta-
rily came to me to-day and expressed their
willingness to swear they had voted for me-
In this precinct L was, by the official re-
turns credited with only IL votes. Ny
opponent would take the tickets from voters,
if the same did not suit him, and furnish
them with others more in accordance with
his views The fact is that the returns were
most unquestionably doctored, and that they
received heroic treatment is evidenced by
the result which was cooked and
served up to the public. We mean
business, and this matter will
be thoroughly shown up. I feel good deal
of sympathy for Neal Crane, one of the
clerks of the election board, because be-
lieve he was innocent of any intention to do
NhTu hn1T L.
Cranes personal assurance that he voted for
me. He has a widowed mother and sisters
and I am sorry for him because Of them. 1
believe that Michael Mulvaney was Judge
and inspector, too.
ARRESTS TO BE MADE.
Everything was run just to suit them
selves and every one connected with the
fraud will be arrested. So strong is the
feeling in the matter and so general the in
dignation, that there is strong talk is raising
fund to prosecute the persons who had
hand in it.
tits rumored that the ballot box was burned
or otherwise made way with, and this state
ment is currently reported and generally
believed.
In a general talk with Alderman Leslie
on the subject the conversation turned to the
system in vogue prior to the adoption of the
law governing primaries in 81. I'm those
days." said Mr.. Leslie, there was little in.
terest taken In primary elections because
the vote was always pre-arrarged and fixed
as the party in power decidedito have it.
At that time those OF the voters who were
interested enough to attend, would assemble
in some convenient hall, suggest the names
of the candidates and mark their votes down
with a lead pencil opposite the name of the
candidate chosen. Some of them, it was
claimed, used split pencils, thus making
two marks. Then there was an attendance 1
which rarely reached 800 in number in this
ward; now from 900 to 800 are ALWAYS on
hand at primary election. People take
more interest now, and there is less dlssatis-
faction both with the voters and the can6i-
dates, the former being assured as a rule
that it is fair vote and the latter having
the satisfaction, if elected, of knowing that
they are the peoples choice, and on the
other hand, if defeated, the equal certainty
that they were no"
LOCAL POLITICS BOOMING.
The Mayoralty contest having been
settled down to the original proposition of
Henry l. Gourley against Judge Bailey,
and this evening the Endorsements which
Mr.. Gourley will receive will most emphati-
cally put an end to the talk which has
been current ofa rival candidate for nomina-
ton. The tickets on both sides are all dis
tributed, and as but one issue can come
from the primaries tonight the three
candidates, Gourley, Morrow and Denniston,
for the three leading positions in the city
government, are assured of nomination or
denomination, as the case may be.
But there are contests in the wards for
councilmanic and aIdermanic places, which
make things interesting for not alone the
candidates, but also the public, not to speak
of the workers and ward politicians of all
classes. The First ward counciImanic diff
Guilty has been withdrawn to great extent
by the withdrawal of George Fleming, leav-
ing virtually walkover for Thomas De-
laney on the Republican ticket for Common
Council.
In the Fourth ward George II. Treusch
has fight on hand for nomination, but his
friends say that there will be no difficulty
about his success as he has already over
come opposition more decided and stronger.
The Eighth ward shows up with "Cramper"
Mckee as against Mr.. Angloch for Com
mon Council with the odds apparently in |
favor OF the latter.
The aldermanic fight in the Ninth ward
between Messrs O'Donnell and Donovan is |
likely to create some excitement on the day |
of election, although the primaries will not |
show up much excitement.
If luck consists in having odd numbers |
the Eleventh ward takes the cake There |
. are IL candidates for Common Council, IL |
candidates for Alderman, and the colored |
population will play policy and lose in that |
vicinity for some time.
A SCHOOL DIRECTOR FIGHT.
In the Twelfth ward the only fight is on |
the school dictatorship, and the friends of
John J. Davis, Assistant City Controller
say be is vet q candidate although be per-
sonally disclaims the honor. Still the peo-
pie who have nominated him keep the name |