Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-12
ono FRAUD Doe. Not Ju,,lry ADnshcr.


One Fraud Does Not Justify Annthcr.
That fraud, corruption and bribery
ran riot at tho election In Kent and
Sussex counties, Tuesday week, is ap-
parent. A part OF the story is thus
told by the Sussex Journal Of George
town:
Nearly every voting place in the two
lower counties was bosieged at the
opening Of the polls by desperate,
crazy, cursing mob who demanded that
Addicks' voters assistants should be
appointed 10 opposition to the appoint
ments OF the election committees and
contrary to law. And thcy attempted
to carry their demands into execution
by mob violence. In Dagsboro bun
bred they succeeded in breaking up the
election. This was the only place they
were successful. In Georgetown they
succeeded in having a free riot, but
failed to break up the election as they
intended. Such actions as the above
should induce every decent man OF
whatever party to join Democracy in
the common cause of restoring TO the
people the opportunity Of a free exer-
else Of franchise.
The Journal adds that 1t is known
that in Sussex county alone the Union
Republicans had fund of $40, COO
which was used for the corruption of
votors.
The Dover Index refers to the same
unsapory subject in the following edi-
torial:
1t is known that Addicks put S35, 900
in Kent county, and $50, 600 in Sussex.
This enormous sum of money was, of
course, not designed for nor disbursed
in legitimate campaign funds. On the
contrary, the funds were not sent to
the two lower counties until Saturday
night and on Monday, too late for any
purpose except that which was its real
inject, the corruption and debauchery
of the ballot.
We have no desire to indulge in
abuse or vituperatiou, but certainly it
is terrible thing that has come upon
us. No man can sit down quietly and
justify in his own thoughts ouch mon
Rtrous action. Mems honor, and their
duty 10 their State were bought and
sold for from twenty five TO fifty dollars
each. From the vote buyer's point of
view. the price of commodities was high.
Then the Index refers to another
phase of the political turmoil in Kent
county. II says;
By the most palpable frauds and
corruption ever perpetrated in any
civilized country the Addicks people
had an apparent majority in Kent
county on Tuesday last. Money was as
plentiful as the waters of the Delaware.
Men we're openly and boldly bought
as so many cattle in the public market.
Contrary to law voters assistants were
not allowed to the Republican party,
which bad been recognized by the only
legal tribunal as one of the principal
political parties. So awful was this
crime upon tho sacred ballot, and 50
| great was this outrage upon the rights OF
American freemen that the majority of
| the board OF canvass, representing an
indignant people, refused to tabulatc
the vote and to issue certificates of
| election to those who hoped to benefit
by the wholesale fraud and debauchery
OF the Addicks party. This gives Kent
county to the Democrats. Law and
order has asserted itself. Desperate
means some may say, but desperate
remedies are oftentimes the only safe
| Bhhie " bhp pNOplo itboIticEs VIC
trust that this will not only be an end
to Addicksism, but TO corruption in
this free State.
There is much force in what the
Index says in the above extract, but
after ali, it is simply an attempt 10
Justify one wrong because previous
wrong had been perpetrated. Lawless.
ness should be mot with law, and not
with acts equally unlawful.
1t would have been more TO the credit
Of tho Kent county Democrats had they
acted under tho law, and sought re
dress in the courts Of the State. AS il
is, they have committed acts that arr
likely TO bring them into court as do
PENDANTS, instead Of prosecutors.
One fraud never justiiies another,
and those who protest against lawless
ness but voice the insincority Of theiI
protest when they resort to lawles
means themselves.