The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-30
ALABAMA'S APPEAL.
Kolb DemocracyiAsks Help i'm Freeing
the State from Corrupt Government.

Birmingham (Ala.) Letter in New York
Tribune.
The following is an appeal issued to the
Northern people by the Jeffersonian or
Kolb Democracy of Alabama, in which they
set forth the basis Of their attack upon the
Democratic party of this State. While the.
Republicans did not take part in the con-
vention by which Kolb was nominated, they
are urged to consider that his fight for
free ballot and fair count would end in
a benefit for them. The appeal is as fol-
lows:
1.-The pending political campaign in the
State of Alabama involves issues of para
mount interest not only to the citizens of
this State, but to every liberty-loving citi-
zen of the United States. An oligarchy of
ofiiceholders and office-seekers has, for a
quarter of a century dominated the will of
the people. In addition to the many un-
warranted and un-American measures in
augurated to suppress the voice of the
people, an infamous election law. was
bly,, which. as admitted by the author Of
said law. is designed for the purpose of
nder am o oaSs GI our rel
law there is no penalty provided for reg
istrars failing TO discharge their duty, and
State is practically contingent upon the
pleasure of registrars appointed in the
interest of the dominating class. The reg
al
graceful record of lawlessness, corruption
and fraud. Numerous affidavits of reputa-
bic citizens show the desperate measures
TO which these willing agents of a corrupt
administration have resorted. The great
majority of the citizens of Alabama are
honest, upright people, and do not indorse
a noble effort To rid this country of the
domination of favored and corrupt class.
"A large number of negro voters, at least
sixty thousand in the aggregate, residing
in what is known as the BLACK Belt dis
trict, have voluntarily disfranchised them
selves temporarily by refusing to register.
Notwithstanding this voluntary action on
the part of certain class of voters, regis
trars have in violation of law, entered on
their registration lists the names of some
of these voters who did not in fact register,
and the leaders of the political faction un-
der whose direction such registrars were
appointed have openly and VIGOROUSLY
avowed their purpose to stuff the ballot
boxes with votes to tie extent OF these
false entries on the registration lists.
The issue with us is the same as that
which confronted the people of all politi-
cal parties in the State of New York in
the late election, and sent McKane and
others to Sing Sing-perjury. subornation
of perjury, false registration and false
turns, intimidat ton and violence at the
polls. The criminal features are the same;
the difference is one of magnitude only.
Gravesend is a district; Alabama is State.
THE present contest is a fight for civil
liberty and the overthrow of political tyr
amy; fight for free ballot and fair
count, a new regime and the disestablish-
ment of the old and effete; it is for the re-
union of Alabama with the other States
of the Union, where political virtue is is re-
THE first and principal plank in the
platform of our party is a dems nd Tor a
free ballot and a fair count. The candidate
of the opposition for Governor nominated
by the so-called organized Democracy, IS
m1nber of Congress, supported and
has at his command the moral support
and the financial aid of the national admin
isuation With practically an unlimited
amount of funds at his comamnd, willing
agents have already been engaged in his
behalf in the purchasing Of false registration
certificates.
money invested in Alabama, as we'll as
the active concern of every Nberty-lovine
port of our struggle for civil liberty. our
people are poor, and we need FUNDS 70 dis
tribute ira % eeco sr law and pIace
on the registration lists only those actual
| ly registered. and to use all such other
n me fraud in any event. We need nc
| financial assistance except TO pay the
| legitimate expenses of campaign for hon
! privileged class of ballot-box suffers
| there will come TO Alabama a new era OF
| thrift, and awakened energies will dawr
upon us.
ITO the American people we appeal fol
help The North and the West have re
sponded in every instance to the e. cry OF Tn ~
| now appeal in a time of greater danger
| when the citadel of liberty is threatened
| with Immediate destruction.
..Au contributions, however small. re-
| mtted TO the undersigned, will be acknowl-
| edged, and at the close of the campaign a
/ statement will be published showing the
| disbursements of these funds. The cleo
| ton for State officers will be held Aug.
| November under the same registration
| AS the State goes in August so IL will sc
| in November, and full delegation EJECT
| ed TO Congress, in line and in sympathy
| with our platform. Immediate action IL
necessary in order to afford us any prac'
i tances TO w. H Skaggs, chairman State
! central campaign committee. Jeffersoniar
| Democracy.
!; Birmingham. Ala. June IS. 1894.