The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-02


chamber. Senator Voorhees, occupied a
seat Immediately in front of Mr.. Brown
during the delivery of the speech, while
seated on all sides about him were the In
diana representatives, Messrs. Bynum.
Shively. Britz, Brookshire, Martin, Par
rett, Holman and Patton. Mr.. O'Farren,
chairman of the election committee, of
which Mr.. Brown is a member, was also
an attentive listener and occupied seat
near the speaker. Democrats on the lett
crossed the aislee and took seats in Mr..
Browns vicinity. The strictest attention
was paid the speech throughout its length.
Mr.. Brown was only interrupted once
and then by j. D. Taylor. (0.), who
made the point of order that Mr.. Browns
illusions to Judge Woods and Dudley were
not germane to the subject under consid-
Grafton. But the speaker pro TEN. Mr..
Hatch) oyerruled the point. Mr.. Taylor
then appealed from the decision of the
chair, but afterward stated that every gen.
tleman on the floor must know that Mr..
Browns rodomontade against Woods and
Dudley was not germane to the subject
and withdrew his appeal from the speak
er's decision. Mr.. Brown then resumed
his speech. He said:
1t is strange, but nevertheless true, that
mans ingenuity to devise ways and plans to
commit crime is almost without limit As
we acquire superior means for discovering
crime and the apprehension and punishment OF
its perpetrators, it seems that those who
desire to commit it improve their methods
for doing so and facilitate their means of
escape from punishment.
In Indiana in 1855 there was q strange and
newly-deyised scheme, which was to be used in
the conduct of elections for the purpose of pre-
venting a fair election, q free ballot and an
honest count. 1t was as dishonest, outrageous
and criminal as il was new and strange. Its
methods were few and apparently simple, but
its execution required bold and expensive
action. The scheme was to
Divide the hOaters into blocks of fve-and put
trusted man, with necessary funds, in charge Of
these fve-and make him responsible that none get
awRy-and that sl vote our ticket.
This scheme it is not supposed, waE intended
for Indiana alone for il was the production of
one whose name is written high on the roll of
honor of the republican party, and who was
treasurer of Its great national committee. In
Indiana, at least, IL accomplished its intended
purpose. Ii corrupted the voter polluted the
ballot box. debauched the election and pre-
vented the people from making an honest
choice. 1t was the means employed which pre-
vented en- honest election and made it possible
to reward with ofTiciel favor the mendacous
sooundrels who were connected with it for the
knavish work they did.
But il was an expensive scheme. II required
vast sums of money to make it work we'll. 1t
was expensive to divide the huaters into
blocks OF five. IL was expensive to put
trusted man in charge of each five, and
furnish him with necessary funds. 1t
was expensive 20 make him responsible that
mona oof IT puOrmOnslv pvnaneira
10 sse that oil voted our ticket. Ii is amazing
strange that a scheme named in so few words,
and so apparently simple. should require such
extraordinary aud incomprehensible sums of
money as this one did TO accomplish its object
and design.
But its founder and originator was equal to
the emergency. Large contributions of money
had been secured, alike from the good
and the bad of the Espublican party.
and history tells that the subscrip-
ton list contains the name Of at least
one eminent citizen OF Pennsylvania who has
received the award OF official preferment for
the part he took and the contribution be made.
When the result of the abors of this scheme
was ascertained, and it was known ii had placed
the party III power in which it had originated,
high carnival was held. Joy and congratula-
tons were the order of the hour liz was I'M
agined that the public treasury would soon be
within the grasp of the eminent patriots whose
ingenuity had planned and worked this wonder
full device. and that their thirst for greed and
gain soon would be aprsased.
But suddenly dismay and CONSERVATION ap-
peared. It's originator and all who Had aided
and abetted him were confronted with the
fearful responsibility OF having violated sec.
Dbl Of the federal crimes act on the subject
of holding elections, aud that the penalty was
fine and imprisonment. Within ten days after
te election at which this criminal conduct was
ID the U. s. district court tor the district of
4 llama convened, and its presiding Judge,
NJ AiApl A. Woods. charged the grand inry 70