The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-26
Chairman Campbell Talks.

OHdlfTndn SdHlpUeu dtkSs
 Chairman Campbell, in speaking yester day of the republicans and fair elections, said
 When the republicans are talking about fair elections it is important to know what they mean by them. When they had control of the state in 1868 they passed an election law which remained on the statute books until the demo- crats got into power. That law will be found in the acts of 1868, page 269, and Of course expressed the republicans idea of how the elective franchise was to be regulated.
 'In the first place, their law only re- quired six months residence in the state before man could vote, and he was al- | lowed to vote anywhere in the county Of his residence This removed the restraints against illegal voting, which is secured | by the requirement. that a man must vote in his precinct Their law then pro- | vided for the appointment of inspectors of election by the probate judge, sheriff and circuit clerk, but did not provide for the representation of opposite political rarties. The inspectors and clerks were 1 required to take oath to perform their duties according to law to the best of their judgment and the inspectors were l required to swear that they would not themselves or knowingly allow any other person to compare the number Of ballots with the number of votes enrolled It was made misdemeanor to challenge, object to or question any one offering 10 vote The act prescribes no penalty Tor illegal voting, and although there were laws then in force to prevent and punish illegal voting, this act expressly repealed all election laws then in force.
 Repealed By Democrats.
 'This act remained on the statute books until repealed by a democratic leg isla.ure. There were the grossest frauds perpetrated under this election law by the republicans. and what assurance have we that if again put into power they will not follow again their law of 1868? The democratic party fayors honest elections. It has removed whatever necessity, real or imaginary, there may have existed for improper methods. It has eliminated the negro vote. In the first party contest after the new consti- tuition went into force, 1t called a pri- mary election which was fairly con- ducted. In the present election both sides have representation at the polls.
 We say, therefore, that our party must be relied on to secure honest cleo tions throughout the state and to enact laws that will safeguard them. Republl- can legislation did not secure them.
 Lowndes County Inspectors. | Chairman Campbell was asked what reply he had to make to Chairman Cooks statement relative to appointment of in- spectors in Lowndes county. He re- | piled,
 "I have communicated with Hon. S.. l.. Tyson of Fort Deposit who is well and favorably known in south Alabama, and he authorizes me to say that no negro has been appointed inspector at any box in Lowndes where there was white republican, except at one box, and that at that box one of the democratic inspec- tors has resigned his place so that his place as inspector can be taken by a white republican.
 ''The law requires that inspectors be appointed from opposite political parties and the only two parties in this con- test are the democratic and republican parties.
 ''It would seem from Mir Tyson's state ment that the authorities in Lowndes county could do nothing else than what they have done and comply with the law, and no doubt if they had appointed three democrats in the boxes, the repub- lioan committee would have howled. They ought not to complain of conditions the democrats are not responsible for