New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-10
THE ALABAMA ELECTION.

THE ALABAMA ELECTION
Alabama is a doubtful State in the Novem-
Der election, with the chances faV"IIng inc
defeat of the Cleveland ticket OF that result
no doubt would be possible were not the Dem
ocratic capacity for fraud so enormous. Ii Is
an ignorant argument that the Democrats OF
the North are addressing to the white voters
of Alabama when they warn them against the
so-called Republican Force bill. There are a
hundred thousand white Democrats in Alabama
TODAY who Ire crying for the want OF the very
measure in the fear of which Northern Demo
ciats are absurdly declaring that all Alabama
will be united on November :. These white
voters. while bound together in opposition to
the regular Democratic candidate for Governor,
have, until within the last few days, steadily
called themselves Democrats They have been
engaged in n fight against ring dictaton ana
they went 10 the polls in triumphant numbers.
The proof is overwhelming that they elected
their candidate, and that the regular Demo cracy
was buried under majority OF from 10000 To
80 900 votes. But the majority which came out
of the ballot boxes was for the regular Demo
cratic candidate. The same methods OF force,
intimidatiCn ballot-boX stealing, ballot-boN
stufiing and false counting that are everywhere
resorted 10 in the South 10 beat the Repub-
lican party were last week adopted IN Alabama
10 overthrow the triumphant faction N hide
pendent Democrats Federal interference IN
State elections is not wanted in Alaban: any
more than elsewhere. Nor. is the cutlery about
il any more or less absurd. but after the events
Of last week there is no issue in that state 50
intense and all pcrvading as the issue Of fair
ballot and a fair count.
The uprising against Democratic ring rule in
Alabama was II revolution. 1t began ~ an Al
lance movement and all the familiar doctrines
Of that remarkable organization were preached
to the people industriously But the ndcpcnd-
cnt faction attained its strength not * an Al
lance party, not as crusade for free silver
or the SubTrcaSury plan, but As protest
against the Democratic machine and lis bosses.
1t is nowhere denied that Of the white voters
Captain Kolb the Independent leader had
clear majority The lowest Democratic estl-
mate is 5,O0O-Captain kolb himself declares
it was certainly 80 900. But from a score OF
counties and especially in that part OF tho
State known as the Black Belt, stories of fraud
aud violence are coming almost without a
parallel even in the long and distressing history
Of Southern electoral wrongdoing. In Mont
gomery County, for instance, less than 1000
votes were poed, but majority of $500 is
accredited to Governor Jones. In Dallas Coun
~ Kolbs majority was certainly a much as
900. but there Jones is returned with ma
iorty Of 500. In the city of Selma Jones
is assigned majority 900 greater than the
total number Of registered voters. In LOwndeS
County the figures are again reversed, and
Kolb's majority Of . 600 is returned rs a Jones
majority of 300. Throughout the Black Belt
electoral crimes OF the most wanton and dis
graceful character have been perpetrated to
insure Joness return 10 power, and yet his
partisan conspiratOrs do not dare 10 claim for
him greater majority in the State than 1900
They frankly acknowledge that whatever the
vote by which he is to be returned, it has pro-
cecded from the negroes. THE birmingham
Age-IIerald" Jones's personal organ, frankly
declares that the organized Democracy OF
Alabama takes off it's hat 10 the Black Belto
IT. has been plain TO thoughtful and observing
politicians for many years that the real prob
lem in the effort 10 break up the Solid south
was to find IA means Of dividing the races
| against themselves rather than against each
| other. This is not an undertaking in which
men ana parties can ucUDcfdlclN engage. III
must develop. 1t must be the natural result
| Of issues and situations. Republican proposals
looking TO the securing of an honest ballot and
| an honest count have never been opposed on
their merits, but solely because of the I'M
reasonable fear on the part Of the Southern
whites that ballot reform would mean negro
| domination. But to-day in Alabama this sug-
gestion excites no apprehensions The people
| are there divided, not on race lines, but on
| principles, and it is seen that there can be no
| reform of State governments no improvement
| in the conduct of public affairs without laws
that will enable the popular majority to enforce
/ its will. The regular Democratic organization
stands there, not merely as the enemy of a fair
and honest National election, but as the enemy
| Of fair elections at all times and under all
| circumstances. Ii is ring of desperate po-
litical rogues seeking to preserve themselves in
power at all points. It's enemies fully realize
that il it is permitted to avail itself of sue
cessful National campaign it will be SO in
trenched in power as TO be quite beyond their
reach. Tho National Democratic party as