The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-07
The People Must Rule.

The People Must Rule.
The trend Of AFFAIRS in New York city
just prior to this election should make
every man stop to consider what would
be the fate Of self-sovernment in this
country II II were left to the mercies OF
the Democratic party. Nearly week
before the polling Boss Croker gave out
statement which his underlings could
not interpret otherwise than as an In
struction to carry the city. at any cost
and by any means. by such majority as
they might determine to be necessary. In
plain terms. they were told to go to the
polls and remain there. watch the count
ing OF the votes. and II the results did
not tally with what they thought they
should be. throw the election officers into
the streets and make returns to suit them
selves.
That this was no idle threat was mme-
dIately made manifest. The police force,
which IL strictly Tammany machine, pre-
pared to intervene ut the polls to prevent
fair vote and an honest count. But,
fortunately there is state superintendent
Of the purity OF the ballot: and Fortunate
ly also there Is a governor In New York
state who is afraid OF nothing under the
sun except wrong-doins. The police in
terfercd with the work OF the superin-
tendent of elections. and Chief Devery
was promptly indicted for this offense
against the laws. Mayor Van wyck was
notified personally by Gov. Roosevelt that
he would be held responsible for the ac-
tons OF Dsvery In case they should re-
suit in breach OF the peace. Thereupon
the mayor and his chief held confer
ence, the result of which was the with
drawai OF the obnoxious order Of the chief
TO disregard the state superintendent of
elections, and the issuance Of another re-
curing close operation between the state
ana the municipal authorities.
II is perfectly clear that only the pres
ence OF Republican governor In the ex-
ccutive chair prevented the election in
New York city from being made n farce,
II alone prevented Democratic majority
In tho state manufactured to order, tha
city returns being cooked to any extent
necessary to overcome the majority for
the Republican ticket outside OF Greater
New York. In other words. the existence
Of free government and the preservation
Of an honest ballot in the greatest state
OF thu Union hung upon Republican IN
stead of Democratic supremacy az Al
harry.
| Tho state of facts presented by the re-
lation of party politics to honest election.
Is one for every yoter 10 consider care
| fully. Imperialism Is q very remote
fantastic and improbable danger The
overthrow Of the republic hy tho cor
| rupsien OF the ballot. whether through
force or frand or both. Is a present and
| serious one. And the proofs are where
1 every man may read them. In the states
| af the South there IL no longer the pre-
| tence Of q free bsllet ana an honest count
| II matters not what excuses aFs offered
! Ger thss condition Of things the fact re-
mains Democrats Tnspacs fos honest
elections has disappeared entirely in that
section OF the country; ana the work OF a
generation In tina, direction will no, be
easily undone.
But thss disposition 20 override the viii
| Of the people Is not sectional. 1t is inner
snr in the Democratic party. Il means to
win; by fair means n II can. BY foul means
| IL necessary. Thus. In Kentucky. there
was a fairly honest conduct os election.
until the Republicans carries the stat.
The first Democratic legislature there
after passed an election lS~ 20 provide
Cor stealing elections easily and safely
II was condemned by every honorable
/ Democrat In the state. and it's fruits we're