New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
UNITE AGAINST VOTE BUYING.
CITIZENS OF FREEHOLD AROUSED-HOLD
MASS MEETING AND FORM
A LEAGUE.

Freehold Feb II (speciaD.-The rapid increase in
the purchasable vote in Monmouth County has
greatly alarmed of the best citizens here
David V. Perrine. prominent Freehold merchant
recently took the initiative against it. and. at his
expense. mailed printed notice such as the
one below, to every voter in Freehold Township:
PROTEST AND AGREEMENT
Recognizing the great evils being wrought in our
community through the baneful influence of the
Undersigned voters of the -. Election District
County Of Monmouth @nd State of Nwjersey %
earnestly and solemnly protest against any candi-
stroyng the rights of elective franchise either by
threats or by money, or by any other unlawful
for the protection Of the elective franchise. We
leve in the plan of education in preference the
one representative from election district who.
together with the representatives chosen from the
other election districts of our county, may form
board of instruction, who will discuss the best
will refer back each election district through it's
representatives the best to pursue.
Nothing acted by said board of instruction
will bind any one of the undersigned act should
the method proposed seem not practicable TO him.
Signed.
The agreement was published by all the county
papers, and. as consequence, Mr. Perrine soon
received a large list Of signers. Last evening all
the signers of the protest living in Freehold Town
Mr. Perrine was made chairman and S. L. Ben
nett secretary. Letters Of regret were read from
BToksw, and the Rev Theodore Heisis all Of Free
hold, VINO expressed hearty approval Of the
Mr.. Perrine made short address. stating that the
practice of vote buying growing and
more serious in the county and State each year.
and a remedy for the evil should be found. He
asked opinions from the Democrats and Repub-
HcanS present
Samuel c. Cowart, a prominent Republican
lawyer said that while he had always taken
active interest in politics. he had bought
votes or encouraged buying them. He understood
about One-half the vote of Monmouth County was
purchasable. Both parties, he said. were blame
the large purchasabe practically disfran-
chised the mass of the people A. E Johnston,
candidate for State Senator last fall on the Demo-
cratic ticket, said that he too, had never
couraged vote buying. His idea to build up
public sentiment against the practice. This should
be done through the press. the pulpit the home.
etc. 1t was fact, he said, that people
grace to sell your vote it used to be.
The Rev. Curwen r. Fisher, OF the Methodist
Church, a Prohbitionist thought the people were
beginning to realize the danger OF buying, and
that signs indicated a decided stand would
soon be taken against the evil VI. L. harrington
took the view that reform should begin at home.
right here in Freehold Township this coming
spring election
1t decided to band together as THE Ballot
Reform League of Freehold Township" The chair
man Will appoint committee permanent or
ganization and another meeting will be held soon.
1t is expected the league will refuse to counte-
nance candidates who do not promise to abstain
from the use of money. From present indications
IT will be powerful and influential organization.
the election scandals of last fall when there were
disgraceful deals" and when the whole Democrats
lie party was literally sold out by a few corrupt
men,