Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-10
FRAUD IN KENTUCKY
JOHN w. LANGLEY SAYS HE KNOWS
PERSONALLY OF 1T.
Declares That Democratic Election
Clerks Failed to Perform Their
Duty in Many Cases.

Mr.. John W. Langley, appointment clerk
of the census office, has returned from Ken
lucky. where he has been engaged in a
stamping tour for the past three four
weeks. To Star reporter today ne said
that he is unwilling to concede the election
to the democratic ticket in Kentucky. When
asked whether there was a fair election he
replied: "Of course not. We did not expect
1t. the election machinery bang in the
hands Of the democrats. If they had in
tended to give US far e.ectiGn they would
have permitted the new election law to be-
come operative AT once. instead Of holding
this election under the Goebel law.
Il see that Chairman Combs claims
wholesale frauds cf various characters all
over the state. | have personal knowledge
Of some Of them. For example: In nearly
every instance a democrat was appointed
clerk of the election. In the closing days
of the campaign We discovered tina 1t had
been arranged for these clerks to fail to
sign their names across the ballots in many
instances. Without this s gna;ure the re-
turning board could refuse to count the bal
lot under the law. Our officers were no.
titled TO insist upon the signature in all in
stances. l am informed that a number OF
clerks refused to sign the ballots. In many
instances. especially in TT publican pI ecincts.
the clerk man who could scarcely
write. and who could not possibly prepare
the ballots for all the voters. The result
was that hundreds had to go away from the
polls without voting. Many republican bal
lots were not counted for some technical
reason. Under the present law however,
these ballots are all kept, and I think the
courts will hold that they should be counted.
Il am informed that many ballots cast for
Bryan and YerkeS were counted for the
straight democratic ticket. When it Is re-
membered that the democrats frequently
appointed republican officers men VINO
by reason of age Or some ether cause, were
incompetent to serve. and men who merely
claimed to be republicans. it Is very easily
seen how this could happen.
There Is one result of the Kentucky cleo
ton which means great deal for that
state. refer to the election of Judge
O'Rear to the court of appeals. This gives
therefore insures us non-partsan decisions
in the future. There was as much interest
in that race among Kentucky republicans
as there was over the gcvernorship.
There was one thing 1 noticed in the Ken
lucky campaign and that was the popu-
larity of Senator Hanna. l really don't
know whose name ELECTED more appla use
when mentioned by campaign speaker-his
or that of the President. The democrats
did not therefore abuse him as they did in
?6. Another thing worthy Of mention Is
the REPUTATION of the claim that Pension
Commissioner Evans is not popular with
the soldiers. So far as Kentucky Is con-
cerned he II one Of the most popular men
or the administration. and | think the re-
turns from all over the country are COM
plete vindication Of that official
Il think that some Of the alleged demo-
cratic leaders are too severe on Bryan. A
reading Of recent political history. and of
some of the speeches of democrats who pre-
ceded Mr.. Bryan in leadership, will show
very clearly that he is not the first man
who has coupled democracy with popuiism
and socialism,