The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-31
PIottcrs Forced to Cease the Subver-
Destruction of Receipts.
TRI-STATE RALLY AT ANGOLA
SENATOR BEVERIDGE ADDRESSES
THOUSANDS OF LOYAL AMERICANS.
Fairbanks and Lands Speak-Durbin,
Watson and Clancy at Greenfield
-Other Big Meetings.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
BLOOMINGTON, Ind, Oct. 30.-There
was much excitement in the city to-day
over the desperation OF the Democracy,
and ii is evident that Cookers $4,000 bar
bel already is on tap in Bloomington. Yes
terday there was a commotion that led
Republicans to believe that scheme was
in operation to either corrupt or intimi-
date a certain class Last night the secret
became known, when a colored voter I'M.
solicited. came to Republican headquarters
and stated that he had been given 81 in
money, for which he had signed a receipt.
of the contents of which he was not entire
~ sure. 1t was discovered this morning
that deliberate plan had been made to
secure signed receipts from ignorant voters
which it was evidently the intention to pre-
sent at the polls when they offered to
vote and challenge them upon the grounds
that they had accepted a bride. In the
meantime ii was discovered that the sign
ing of receipts had become general. and
that fifty or more men had been secured
at 81 each to enter into an obligation to
vote the Democratic ticket. The plan in
detail was as follows:
An unsuspecting voter was approached
by Democratic worker and asked if he
wanted to make something election day.
Upon the assurance that he did he was
offered 81 with the promise that if he
would go to Democratic headquarters on
election morning s. more was awaiting
him: however. it wouldzsees NECESSARY now.
for lim to sign receipl that Ire had re-
ceived the 81 Such affidavits were made
by several voters, and are now in possess
sion of Republicans. The object was to Sc
cure written contract from the unsus-
pecting man, and then. on election morn
ing, present it when he went to vote,
challenge him and have him refused the
right to vote because OF his having ac-
cepted a bride.
A meeting of prominent Republicans was
at once called and the facts discussed
1t was decided to not tolerate such fraud,
and. headed by Nat u. Hill, Republican
central committeeman of the Second dis
trict; j. B. Wilson. county chairman; w.
T. Hicks and other leading Republicans,
il was decided TO go with the men who
had been imposed on and assure them pro-
lection in demanding of the Democratic
schemers who had induced them to sign
the receipts that they either destroy
deliver the receipts to the persons by
whom they had been signed. Both men
who had been parties to this bribery were
faced by their accusers and acknowledged
that they had secured the receipts. They
were then given to understand the meaning
Of the United States statutes as to in
timidation and bribery. whereupon they
made the statement that all the receipts
and all evidence connected Herewith would
be destroyed.
The Republicans gave them to under
stand that number of affidavits had been
made and signed, and that they proposed
to proceed upon the evidence in hand,
without hesitation. IL there was any fur
Their intimidation. Upon the promise that
there would he no further steps in such
direction the matter has been allowed
to rest.
The discovery and the sudden collapse
of the effort at corruption have created
much talk and convinced Republicans that
Doodle has been raised and will flow freely
from now until after the election.