The herald., 1896-10-30
BE ON GUARD
Valuable Information for Voters Sent
Out by Chairman Afford


Chairman William H. Afford has sent
to every Democratic county committee
in the state the following letter
Member Democratic County Commit
tee-Dear Sir: I am confident now that
California is safe for Bryan, IL the in
tention and desire of the voters are car
ried out at the polls. From now until
the votes are counted vigilance must be
added to activity as the price of sue
cess. l am credibly informed that the
Republicans are making an effort to have
the tally sheets printed so that the
names of Bryan electors will appear
thereon twice, once as Democrats and
is, of course, to create confusion and If
possible, to divide the votes that are in
tended to be cast for Bryan.
L have done everything within my
power to have the names of our electors
appear but once upon the tally sheets,
but fear that have only been partially
successful, on account Of the opposition
OF the Republican state central commit
tee and of the Republican county clerks
who have been dealing with Republican
printers. The legislature evidently did
not contemplate condition such as has
arisen in this campaign and has left the
law in such shape that 1t may be con-
strued by those who desire to miscon-
strue it,
You should make every effort to man
the polls In your county with Democrat
ic watchers who are instructed as to the
manner of tailying the votes for the elec-
tors, and If they are Tailed in two lines
to see that they are totalixed in the end.
There is another error which is liable
to creep into the count, and which wish
to call to your attention. Men are liable
to vote for both the Democratic and Pop
ulist electors, or to vote for all Of one
group and part of the other, or for the
same individual in both groups. This,
as you know, does not invalidate the
vote, but it should be counted once for
the elector So twice voted for. This is
not my opinion alone, but have the ad-
vice of the leading lawyers of California
that this is the proper construction of
the law. The rule of law is that if the
intention of the voter can be ascertained
from the face of the ballot that intention
should be recorded upon the tally sheet.
If a man should vote for William Craig,
for instance, twice, once as Democratic
elector and once as Populist elector,
it is perfectly evident that that man in
tended to vote for William Craig, and
the vote should be counted for him once
OF course, If a man should vote for this
Republican electors and then for the
Democratic electors, the election officers
would be compelled not to count his vote
for either, as it would be impossible to
tell from the face of the ballot for whom
he intended to vote
We have evidence, which it Is unnec-
essary to narrate here, that the Repub-
lican campaign managers, both state
and national, have made up their minds
that there is no hope of defeating Mr..
Bryan with free ballot and an honest
count. 1t is, therefore. their intention
to deluge the state with money, a large
nf te tad tr h
already arrived, their plan being to buy
the election officers and to persuade, by
the use of money, those whose votes
they cannot purchase to stay away from
the polls.
This letter is directed to you person.
ally with the object of soliciting your
earnest consideration and unceasing
activity to prevent this greatest of all
crimes from being committed. You
have been entrusted by your party with
the responsibility of guarding and pro-
noting the principles which 1t holds
sacred, and now, upon the eve Of battle,
as chairman of the Democratic state
central committee, 1 summon you to do
your full duty from the hour you re-
ceive this letter until the votes have all
been counted.
If every official representative of shis
party does this, the election of Mr.. Dry-
an and victory over the allied trusts and
combines of the money power is assured.
There will be mailed to you at once a
number of posters to be placed In con-
spicuous places, where they will not be
torn down. These posters will direct the
voters as to the manner of voting and
advise the election officers as to their
duties. The care of and proper distribu-
tion of these posters'I consider one of
the most important features of the cam
paign.
The Bryan forces have a majority on
most of the election boards, and the
Democrats and Populists upon these
boards should see that the victory we
have won is not snatched from US at the
last moment.
Trusting that you will do your full
duty as citizen and Democrat, re-
main, yours very respectfully,
w. H. AFFORD,
Chairman Democratic State Central
Comittee.
THIN pAVTT.YON