The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-30
Republicans Robbed Of Thousands of
Votes with the COnnivance of
Partisan Election Officers.
SPEECH BY CHARLES G.. DAWES
CONTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY
OUTLINES DUTY OF REPUBLICANS.
Says Trusts That Destroy Competition
Should BE Curbed-SenatOr Kyle
Now with the Popular Party.

FRANKFORT, Ky, Dec. 29.-The address
of the Republican leaders in reply to the
recent address of the Goebei leaders In
dorsing the contesting candidates on the
Democratic state ticket was given out to-
night 1t replies specifically to the Demo-
cratic charges of fraud and makes some
sensational counter charges. 1t is signed
by Governor Taylor, Chairman Barnett,
Senator Deboe. Congressman Pugh and
others, including all members of the state
central committee. 1t says:
"In 1898 the late Democratic candidate
for Governor, with few partisan associ-
ates. conceived the idea of passing an eIec'
ton law which would disfranchise the Re-
publicans of Kentucky The Dill was oe-
nounced in unmeasured terms by many
Democrats and many newspapers or that
faith However, unfortunately Tor the
State, it became law. and under its pro-
visions the rights of all who opposed the
Goebel Democracy have been totally DIS
regarded The whole election machlnery
was placed in the hands of the Goebel ele-
ment Election commissioners and ofncers OF
election purporting only to be Republicans
were appointed in many counties ana pre-
cincts; persons known to be physically, men,
tally and in some instances morally lncom-
petent (selected on that accounp were ap-
pointed as Republican election officers In
many localities Hundreds of ballots were
thrown out without excuse; many iegai
voters were denied the right to vote, and
illegal votes were taken. Challengers ana
inspectors were in many instances denied
admission, while in many others they were
forcibly elected from the election oooths.
1.-The mayor of Louisville arrogated 10
himself the power to issue a proclamation,
prohibiting people from assembling at the
polls. in open defiance of the provisions
of the Constitution, and 24S extra police
cd lntimldate
broWbeat the freemen OF that city. On the
afternoon preceding the election eighty
seven election officers who had been ap-
pointed to represent the Republican party
were summarily dismissed and a like num-
ber appointed in their places who could be
relied on to favor the Democratc con-
spirators. The fremen were turned loose,
too. and did assist the police in the lntimi-
dation of voters, and In this way at least
10000 persons who would have voted the
Republican ticket were so alarmed tnat
they did not attend the election. In aooi-
ton, voters were intimidated and many
similar frauds perpetrated in Covington,
Lexington and other cities of the common
wealth, causing loss of not less than 6.OoO
votes to the Republican ticket. In some oi
the counties actual force was employed
| and voters were driven from the polls,
and with a few exceptions frauds were
committed In all Of them. Every ballot
! that even bore a finger print, voted for the
Republicans was thrown out In the count.
| II cannot be doubted that at least 40,VO0
votes were lost to the Republican party by
| these unlawful and outrageous tactics:
Large sums of money collected from
Democratic officials. saloons. poolrooms.
| gambling houses, breweries and other
| sources in and out of the state were USED
| to corrupt the voters of the state. voters
were hired to refrain from voting, to mu-
tilate their ballots or to vote the Goebel
ticket Whole precincts that gave Repub-
/ lican majorities were thrown out, and the
| Goebel Democratic committees and candi-
| dates inaugurated Saturnalla Oh criihe,
| corruption and force.
OTHER FRAUDS.
'In Kenton county, the regular Republic
| an organization was ignored and a few
boilers allowed to name the officers of
election. The Republican emblem was CIV
| en- to this bastard political organization,
which caused confusion and lost many
votes to the Republican ticket. The most
high-handed intimidation was resorted TO
by the police and others, and not even the
semblance of decency was observed. In
Fayette county a ballot box was stolen,
and no election held in two Republican
| precincts, and the most outrageous frauds
, and intimidations were perpetrated. Not
wthstanding all this, the Republican ticket
was elected by plurality OF more than
| two thousand, although Democratic coun-
| ties were held back in order that full time
| might be given to doctor the returns. When
this announcement was made the conspira-
tors set themselves to work to steal the
| State and prevent the will of the people
| from being carried into effect.
.In the county of Nelson they undertook
| to rob the Republicans of 1,19S votes cast
| for Governor Taylor, because of a mistake
| of one letter in his name, made by a DEM
ocratic official. Precincts which gave Re
| publican majorities were thrown out in
various localities. Some of these attempts
at grand larceny was prevented by Demo-
cratic Judges, who held their 0aths SUI
perior to the partisan work which the con-
| spirators desired they should do One Of
the election commissioners, ii is charged,
! and the charge is not denied. offered to
| wager money that Mr.. Goebel would be
elected. and proved his consistency at least,
| by deciding that he had been elected. while
the remaining two took the stump for the
Goebel ticket. But the attempt TO fraudu-
lently procure certificates was futile. New
ertheless, the conspiratorS weres unwilling
| TO stay their hands. A meeting was called
of a few Democrats who, il was known,
| would be willing to go to any extremity
| to accomplish their ends. and these gentle
men advised q contest in order that ex-
cuse might be afforded the candidates for
making the same and an opportunity given
| 10 procure. by fraud. the offices which an
| outraged people had decreed should go TO
| others Ashamed of their conduct and
| knowing that some excuse must be made
| even to many of their own party, a re-
| ard, for the first time In the los years of
| the States existence. there is a contest
over the offices of Governor and lieutenant
| governor"
| The address defends Governor Bradley in
calling out troops. says the charge that
tissue ballots were used is fiimsy. as like
ballots were used in Democratic counties,
that the Democrats set the precedent In
the use OF the injunction. and concludes by
| saying:
1.-The charge of corruption at the hands
| Of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad is
| only repetition OF a slander worn thread
bare In the late campaign and even II true,
which Is denied, does not involve the Re-