Evening journal., 1902-11-10
soME brutal rRufHs

Tales of the election come pouring in
from every quarter OF the State. II
these may be believed, a condition ex-
lists that is TRULY appalling 1t isn't
pleasant to talk about. but unless we
face the situation sQuarely and seek to
solve the problem, Delaware viii be
come the sink and pest-hole of the
nation. IF bribery is so rampant, why
don't you give your information to the
Attorney General, and bring the Of
tenders into court?" says the smiling
politician whose hands are reehng
with corruption. And, yet, we all
know that in most districts. particu-
larry in Kent and Sussex, the factor that
decided the result was the purchased
vote.
Here are some estimates of that vote
as made up after conversation with
men from all parts5of the State, and
representing she various parties: Three
fifths OF thepentire vote in Sussex at
the last ,slecipn was bought; in Kent
one-half: and in New Castle, a fourth.
There is one district in Sussex that con-
tainso only eighteen unpurchasableyote
In Cedar Creek ON election morning,
We are informed that the Union Repuh-
licans hads for every doubtful vote in
the hundred The Democrats started
in with s17 in all, but by a strenuous
effort succeeded in raising a few hun
dred dollars. In certain instances the
foaters formed themselves into clubs,
and sold out through a regularly ap-
pointed agent
Most OF the members of the next
Legislature GIVE their election to the
use of money, and it would be strain
ing a point TO say that they are not
aware OF it, It is a little bit astonish-
ing that under these circumstances
successful candidates should rejoice in
a victory, since it is a victory that is
due to dollars. The late Addicks can
didate for Congress gloats over the
vote he polled. but there is not a
shadow Of a aoubt but that at least one-
half Of It was due to the purchased
vote
It is a little surprising that reputable
persons, merchants, mechanics and
farmers, desire a nomination with the
full understanding that their election
depends upon the number of voters thai
can be bribed. We do not say this is
true in all districts, hut it is true in {
majority of them.
Then these successful candidates vii
meet in Dover and glibly take the Sc
we're oath which is read TO them. will
never a oualm. They will then procee,
TO enact measures for the guidance ant
correction of the people.
1t is freely admitted that the pur
chase Of voters was not confined to tn
Union Republicans. The Democrat
bought all they could, and were Unite
only by their lack Of funds. Just her
is the evil; there is a system fastene
upon us, and II any party wishes 10
in the game, it must play according
the rules.
"A N0N~Af MAAR liANhNNAAr ANNNAfNA "a Va
sideration for marking his ballot, pu
the case this way: why shouldn't til
poor man have something Tor his vote
Men go to the Legislature expecting
receive money for voting for certa
bills. They are not in politics for the
health. neither should the poor ml
be" Now this doctrine is held by maj
thousands Of enfranchised men in ID
aware and the number is growing wi
every election. Apparently there Isl
any way Of stopping it Proper leg
lation cannot be had, because legis
tors are the result of this system.
we have ample provisions, could Il
be enforced. Both parties are gull
and each viii not inform on the oh
fearing reprisals. Should every n
who has bought a vote, and every II
who has sold be sent to Jail, no pri
would hold them, and there wouldn'i
enough men left to run the farms.
towns would lose many Of their n
prominent citizens. and the churs
would be depleted. These are
pleasant things to say, but in heav
name. isn't it time that someone
said them. Shall we smile and 81
and go on living the lie?
Here's something that is W
pondering over, and OF telling
children, If you have the heart Il
it: There isn't a section in the u
States where there is as great
centage Of yenal voters as in Kent
Sussex counties, Delaware! Now il