The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-29

the Republicans, and, as a matter of course. Knox could not have got the Democratic nomination if he had wanted 1t. so he concluded to run as find a place on the ballot he had to obtain long list of signatures to n petition to be filed with the county clerk by tonight At first the game average negro who can write takes pride in the fact and has no objection 70 signing a paper when presented with proper formality. But as the list came alarmed. and began backfiring on Knox's field. Responsive to their enorts scores of negroes who had sig ned Knox's petition began to write they had changed their minds, or had been misled as to the character of the petition when requested to sign 1t. counter petitions were started. also, names to the promotion of Knox's boom, asking to have their signatures taken off the Knox petition before the board of commissioners who make sideration of the negro Independents candidacy. The commissioners may therefore have hard time, even if the original petition contains enough approval, in deciding whether names once on such paper may be removed at will. If they decided adversely to the appearance of Knox's name on the crats may. furnish Knox with the money and the counsel to apply to the court for a mandamus.
 This may look like a small matter for a big party to make such a fuss about. especially since Knox Is not running as a Democrat. But the point Taggart'S lieutenants have in view is this: Under the law. Knox's name will Gf ol1 Ixy aaIf AN kAA hand end of the official blankeet bal lot. It will probably have over 1t some device like the portrait of Abraham Lincoln which every negro can recog- nize whether he can read or not. An iliterate negro who wants to vote for Knox. and also for all the regular Re- publican candidates except Overstreet. is more than likely to mark Knox's mark for the straight Republican tick ct as a whole--an error which will vi- tiate the whole ballot and throw 1t out. That means every time, the loss Of halfvote for the Republican tick
 Bollot-vitiatlng has always proved 2 more successful device. when the Democrats have had designs on the The negroes, even those who are most besotted. make. as a rule. a fetich of their Republican afflliation, and very few are willing to vote for Democratic
 
 the Democratic managers, therefore. was to say to negro: We won't ask you to vote for any but the Re- publican candidates; all we ask is that you cast your vote; but before you fold your ticket and leave the booth tear off the picture of the roos- ter at the top of the Democratic tick ct. and bring it to So and So. who will be waiting at such and such a place and he will give you s2 for It." The roosters would come in and the $: bills pass out quite merrfly. The mutilation of a ballot, of course. meant It's rejection by the canvassers of the count when the polls closed.
 Taggart's great resources in the old times used to be. however. to get up negro picnics, or open clubohuses in out of -the-way places on election day. When the Republican workers came to the place where q "trihing'' negro resided to fetch him to the polls. they could not find him; he was off with his enamorata enjoying a free outing with abundant beer and ice cream and berbecued delicaies. or playing poker with a group of his bosom friends in some unknown alley loft which the generosity of Democratic patrons had fitted up with tables, cigars. cards. and beverages galore.