The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-04
LAW AND oRpEn MENAcEp.


During the past week the absolute die
tator of Tammany Hall has attracted the
attention of the country by advising Dem
ocrats to count noses at the polls. and II
the declaration OF votes does not agree
with that count, they should go in and pull
the fellows out who are attempting fraud"
That is, il some people at the polls think
they have found out just how the election
is going, or IL they agree how they want it
TO go, they can create a riot. in case the
official declaration of the vote does not
agree with their wishes. Senator Jones. of
Arkansas. who is chairman of Mr.. Bryan's
national committee, on reading the fore
going declaration of Richard Croker. said
that he Endorsed every word of it. and
added: I'VE intend to see that the ballots
are counted honestly. We have won this
fight, and. by heaven, we will not be de-
frauded Of our victory by the chicanery of
election judges The same sentiment has
been echoed by the head Of the Democratic
organization in this State.
The quiet of Sunday is fit occasion for
rations. which are directed against the
election officers in every precinct in the
country. The election law in this State is
tie result of experience and study. That
law provides that no person. except when
voting. shall be allowed to stand within
fifty feet of the polls, except one challenger
and one poll-book holder, who may stand
at the sides of the chute next to the chal-
lenge window. Senator Jones and Mr.. Cro-
ker. Mr.. Hearst and all who reiterate their
orders and instructions ignore this portion
of the laws of Indiana. Again, at every
voting place there is an Inspector, two
judges. two clerks and two deputy sheriffs.
The judges, clerks and deputy sheriffs must
be divided equally between the two lead
ing parties, and must be named by the
| spective committees. No extensive fraud.
no ballot-box stuffing, no fraudulent count,
and no fraudulent return can be made in
any precinct without the knowledge and
the assistance of three men Of the party
| opposite the one whose candidates would be
benefited by such fraud. 1t is possible that
tee of either party may be deceived and
select three men in a precinct who can be
| bribed, but it is not probable that there
could be any considerable number of such
| cases. Nevertheless, Senator Jones and
| Croker and Parks Martin advise Bryanites
to break into the voting places, throw out
| the election officers and destroy the ballots
If the declared vote does not agree with
the outside count of noses" What is true
Of Indiana In regard to the management
of elections is true in all the States of the
North. ALI have the secret ballot, both
parties are represented on all election
boards and every safeguard is placed about
the voting, counting and return of votes
that the experience of men in both parties
can devise. In every voting precinct in the
North the two leading parties are repre-
scented by men named by the local party
committee. yet Senator Jones declares that
| the judges and other election officers of his
own party were purchased to an extent in
1896 that Mr.. Mckinley was elected. Ignor-
ing the laws of all of these States. which
the election officers. and party watchers in
some States, this same Senator Jones says
that we intend to see that "the votes are
honestly counted"
1t is not necessary to tell any intelligent
person that these instructions are designed
to encourage lawlessness at the polls on
Tuesday. For years elections throughout
l
may be doubted if there has been more
than occasional alterations near any vot-
ing place in Indiana since the present ballot
law has been in force. But these men, Gro
ker, Jones and others. invoke those who
suspect that the election in any precinct
may not be proceeding according to their
views TO seize the polls and throw the Of
ficers out. Such lawless persons may think
IL the proper thing to rush into a voting
place and destroy the ballots because three
fourths of them were cast by Republicans
They certainly have the warrant of these
leaders for such lawlessness. Thus 1t must
appear to all that these leaders have given
advice which. If adopted, would destroy the
election system of the country and substi-
tute for law and order that disregard for
law which is best termed anarchy. Well
does the independent Democratic Brooklyn
Eagle declare that ''the advice and threats
of Croker and Jones are examples of infer
nal wickedness." AS he considers these
appeals to violence and lawlessness by the
leaders of the Bryan party, can any friend
of social order and freedom under law vote
for the candidates of such leaders?
SHELDON'S CLOUDED VISION.
Rev. Mr.. Sheldon, the Kansas man who
| ,,ndertook IN run newspaper for a week