The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-28


-
HOW TENNESSEE WAS CARRIED.
A family quarrel In Democratic ranks
In Tennessee has resulted In the uncov-
erlng Of a long series OF the most un-
scrupaious frauds upon the ballot which
have ever been disclosed In this country.
aud demonstrated anew that such the
Org as a fair election Is practically un-
heard OF In Tennessee. These disclosures
came through the taking o: testimony in
thu contest initiated by Hen. Josiah Pat
terson. gold Democrat and member of
the present congress. who was candidate
for reelection last fall. but who was do
feated by T. W. carmaek. the candidate
o, fusion combination between the Sill
yer Democrats and the Populists.
special correspondent OF the Louisville
Couriar-JourEal (Dem.), under the date OF
Memphis. February 10. gives q synopsis
OF the testimony so far taken. which dis
closes the following condition OF affairs:
Prior to 1874 the Republicans had car
rled the election IN Fayette county every
year since the war. by substantial ma
iorities. which was not to DO wondered
at. as the population OF the county con-
sists OF 2sS0 negroes and 1.61S whites.
Just prior to election In the fall OF 1874 the
whites deliberately armed themselves and
entered upon a policy OF murder and In
timidaiion. -Four leading Republican ne
groes were shot dead In the streets of
Somervllle, the county scat, and others
were murdered In other places IN the
county. The negroes were given such an
alarm that 20 this day the mention OF 1874
Is enough 10 drive a Fayette county me-
gro away from the polls. Since that time
the county has Invariably given Dem
oorasic majority although the negroes.
who are heavily in the majority. are just
as solid IN support OF the Republican
ticket "a ever. Through the manipula-
ton Of tae vote or this one county the
Democrats have succeeded In retaining
control OF the Tenth Tennessee district
in every congressional election. with one
exception. since lS7s
Col Patterson. the present member OF
congress, owed his election 10 fraudulent
practices In his district In the election
In November last, however. the balloi-box
fnanlpulators opposed his candidacy and
supported Carmack. and while Col. Pat
terson received the Republican vote. there
being 10 Republican candidate in the
| Geld. the manipulated election returns
| showed his defeat
The method OF ballot box manipulation
In Fayette. as disclosed by the proof In
thls contest. il very simple, but effective
IN the precincts where the opposition vote
! Is IN the majority. tire vote az cast Is
merely reversed. 40 that TIE returns show
! majority for the candidate friendly 20
| those in charge 81 the election. BY this
means the vote IS made 70 consist with
any tally that may Be kept on TIE cut
side. and the liability 20 detection IS re-
/ duced. TIE law CT the state requires that
| both political parties shah Pc represented
on tire board o. election JUDGES AZ each
| prccinct. and tbs eqairemeut - scrupu-
| iou.ly observed. But to- Republican
| party. at TIE doubtful boxes. is gener-
Auy given a. ignorant nsKyo. who can
-. a., r.
| f''N'' - - -. -. :,
the sallot-sox meuipulatcrs. on the eth
-. -, :. 80. .sa.
- -, .,--.,.
&C.. s.v. al As., o-ap,A,
49,. .s,.-.. =. "a 49,, :, ~.
/ %. r,..s,r.tf,r,a.
/ a, ~, --.-lr-t ,s,r. Ar. s,rstv-s,r