Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-04

This letter has greatly displeased the negroes
and they do not hesitate to say so.
BITTERNESS IN THE FIGHT.
The greatest bitterness has been encendered
in the political fight in this city by the whole
sale arrests OF democratic registrars BY the
federal authorities Tor various alleged violations
OF the election laws. The first OF these occurred
last Monday and numerous cases have followed.
ihe democrats are making counter arrests upon
charges Of perjury and illegal registering Of
republican witnesses and voters and the con-
test has developed into an alarming state Of
anAirs A number OF negroes have been
arrested at the instance Of democrats for
alleged illegal registration The democrats
claim tina: they have proof that these negroes
either have been convicted Of petit larceny or
represented themselves Ii ing at places at
which they are found not to reside.
Mr.. B. F. Sheppersou, one Of the best known
democrats In the city. Is under arrest charged
with refusing to register an alleged legal colored
voter. When the case WAS brought before the
federal commissioner Mr.. Shepperson stated
that the negro who applied for registration had
been convicted OF petit larceny, but he gave
him an opportunity to bring proof to the con-
trary, which the negro failed to do. The negro
swore that he had not been convicted of petit
larceny, but failed to sustain his statement by
witness and during the crosse amiuatiou con-
tradcted himself several times The commits
sioner placed Mr.. Shepperson under a heavy
bond for his appearance before the United
States grand jury. The democratic counsel
had the negro arrested for perjury, and so the
legal political fight goes. This il but a sample
OF the many cases which are now keeping the
commissioners Of this district very busy.
LIVELY TIMES EXPECTED.
However, during the days between now and
next Tuesday lively times may be expected in
every direction. An interesting phase Of this
legal political warfare is that the populist
leaders are working hand in hand with the re-
publicans. This has furnished fine oppor-
tunity to disclose the cooperation Of the two
parties. Heretofore the populists have been
working under cover, but as election day draws
near they are getting bolder. and in cases where
there can be but one line drawn they invaria-
bly, struggle over to the republican side. In
other words, the leaders in the populist party
are fighting the democrats only. but they are
unwilling for the converts from the democratic
ranks to know that they have anv love for the
republicans, knowing that there can be
but one result. In this connection il
has transpired that the populist leaders
agreed to the fusion plan with the distinct IN
derstanding that the republicans shonld keep
the mixed ballots low until cleo: lion day
when populist representatives would be at each
precinct in town and county to pacify any who
might kick against the fusion scheme. Blu,
unfortunately the ballots fell into the hands of
the enemy through traitor in the populst
ranks, hence the disclosure.
AN ALLEGED CONSPIRACY.
City Democratic Chairman Patteson makes
an exciting announcement this morning to the
effect that he has received reliable information
OF "a conspiracy formed by the republicans to
arrest democratic judges Of election at the strong
democratic precincts in the city early in the
morning of next Tuesday. Mr.. Patteson says he is
prepared for the emergency. and will have men
ready to qualify and carry on tie election when
the regular officers are taken into custody by
the United States marshals. that the voting
may proceed without long interruption.
. Statements still made to the effect that
Republican State Chairman Malone is abso-
lutely indifferent to the result of the electoral
vote in Virginia. A personal friend of the gen
erals who was in the city few days since
stated to The STAR correspondent that he had
just had long private talk with Malone and
he had no love for Harrison or the present ad-
ministration and would not turn upon his heels
to have the President reelected.
The marked activity in the state on the part
Of both the republicans and democrats in the
way Of public speaking continues. The demo
Gratis have arranged for several big rallies in
this state between now and election dav. when
John Randolph Tucker. J. Ham of Georgia.
the Sam Jones of politics." and other big
guns" will speak.