The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-03-27
HONESTY In POLITTCS.l

in politics., beginning with the
assertion that "The Index
mas long stood for honesty in politics."
The article was not written by the
reporter or the editor of the Index, but
was imported from Porto Rico without
paying any duty.
The attempt to make the people OF
Logan county believe that the Index,
that has been the organ of the gang in
every disreputable fight they have
made, stands for honesty in politics,
would provoke smile from a wooden
Indian.
But as some of the statements made
in the article. may mislead some who
DO not know the facts, we make Il state
ment that will show the truth of affairs.
The Index says that in the Conven-
tion,- "honesty and fairness were total
strangers, and the ring ruled high
handed. "
In answer to the first statement, we
refer the reader to the reports of the
Convention, where he will find that on
every point contested. the roll was
called, each delegate voted for himself,
and two-thirds of the Convention was
against those whose cause the Index
espouses. Here was case of all being
allowed to vote, who had right to
vote, and nobody else being allowed
to vote. What could be fairer? If the
character of the delegates be question
ed, it is only necessary to read over the
list to see that they are of the best cit
Here in Bellefontaine they comprised
such men as DIR, Blair, w. w. Fisher
and Robert Cotton. They were chosen
by the people at township primaries,
and were delegated by the people to
conduct the Convention as the majority
might determine. For the Index to
state that these men were unfair or
dishonest, is an insult not only to the
delegates, but to the people that chose
them.
Again; The Index says 'the ring
ruled high handed" What ring, pray?
The gang or the two-thirds majority of
the Convention. Surely, the gang did
not rule, for their slate, was cracked.
"Hence these tears!" So it is the ma
jority of two-thirds that the Index calls
'sring" What reason has it for such
a charge? Simply that the majority
did not let the gang fool it under the
disguise of being for Warnock.
The gang came into the Convention
with about one-fourth of the votes. 1t
had a complete slate. 1t had pro-
gram; men selected to make motions
and men who had resolutions written
out. 1t had line of action marked
out, and its men instructed on all these
points. On every contest, their dele
gates voted soiidly together, every
time-not variation of vote. This,
the Index would not call ring rule. On
the other side, nearly three-fourths of
| the delegates were against the gang
and for Col. Warnock. They, too, had
their line of action marked out; but
they were more independent, and on
several questions changed their vote
materially. This, the Index says, was
not honest, and was ring rule! How
easily an owl will twist it's neck off, if
you will only walk round it and take it
in from all sides.
The true inwardness of the Conven-
tion was just this: Lybrand, the friend
of the gang and the creature of the
gang throughout the District, is seek
| ing, as on former occasions to secure a
nomination by trickery and smart
practices. He has the whole patron
| age of his position to back him. Every
officehOlder is made henchman.
| Census enumerators are to be appoint
ed in every township in the District,
and promises of appointments as. CEN
sus takers, have been made throughout
the District, to thrice the number tC
be appointed. Delaware county was
secured solid. Judge Hoge was expected
to carry Hardin in Lybrand's interest,
and Ayers was to carry Union. But
Fess beat HOge, and Ayers will be
beaten in Union. Yet Lybrand' s
friends hoped to-defeau the nomination
of all the other candidates, and in the
break up, secure enough votes through
the pow+r of patronage to again NOM
mate him. 70 carry out this plan, il
was important to secure as many mer
on the Logan county delegation as
possible, ostensibly for Warnock; but
in the end for Lybrand.
The Republicans of Logan who have
condemned Mr.. Lybrand' S methods, ant
that Of the gang who support him
were determined that these men should
not succeed again by trickery, an(
when the people elected delegates tt
our County Convention, they chose
men who would be honestly for War
, mock, and who could not be trotted owe
into Mr.. Lybrand's camp. To secur
such delegation for the Marysvill
Convention was their aim in Satur
! days Convention, and to this end the
opposed the motions and avoided tn
5 traps laid by the gang, and stood tc
: gether till they had secured such
: gation-a delegation that is earnest
/ ly and honestly for Colonel Warnoch
e and that in no case will go over to MI
. Lybrand or his gang. osay that sue
e a result was secured-by any one maj
s would be to pay him the highest con
: pliment, as it was simply carrying OF