The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-05

meanors. for which true bills were
found. the grand jury heard much
testimony regarding the conduct oil
said primary election and also gen
eral elections and found deplorabie
condition of affairs In certain wards
not credltable TO the officials who are
charged by law with the conduct OF
elections, and disgraceful to the city
OF Chicago. which has permitted such
election frauds TO go on almost un-
questioned until this time.
I'VE find and so report, that no
confidence can be placed In the re-
ported results In favor OF. or against
any candidate for a party nomination
at the primary election. and yet that
election cost the taxpayers OF Chica-
60 fully $4,000.
A Sweeping Denunciatlon.
Fraudulent registration. leading to
fraudulent voting: repeating. by pla'
toons OF men who we're voted first
for one party and then for other
rarity candidates at the same pre-
cinct; voting names OF absentees,
lnon-residents, insane and dead men.
accepting false afldavits on behalf
OF disqualified voters, known to the
Judges TO be so; numerous and fa-
grant perjuries by party voters, tc
enable them to cast illegal votes;
taking votes from nonresident voters
without affidavits in support OF such
votes; fraudulently writing names on
the poll books and putting ballots in
the boxes to correspond: keeping upon
I 0 iotA nf Nc n
removed from the respective precincts
and voting them; voting the same
name more than once at the same
precinct: DISTINGUISHING voters by
permitting their names to be voted
by others; marking ballots after thu
boxes were opened: handling voters
ballots already marked for certain
candidates; marking ballots for voters
against their wishes and so putting
ballots into the ballot box; intimidat-
ing voters and compelling them to
vote for their candidates contrary TO
their wishes: strangers and police Of
fcers being permitted to handle the
ballots after the boxes were opened,
so as TO permit OF fraudulent marking
OF ballots; all these were proved be-
fore us, and are by no means all OF
the devices which we have reason TO
believe were resorted TO, in violation
Of every provision OF the election laws
intended for the security OF the voter,
the sanctity of the ballot and the ac-
curacy OF the result and TO defeat the
will OF the people as expressed by the
lawful votes cast at said election.
From the facts coming TO our
knowledge. We express serious doubt
whether there has been any honest
general. or city, election in Chicago
for years past.
I'VE report that in cur opinion
much OF said fraudulent voting was
Gone in pursuance OF general schemes
OF corruption. the nature, character
and extent OF which we had not time
fully to develop"
The report declares that the cleo
ton commissioner should exercise
greater care In the selection OF cleo
ton officials. although il admits TIE
truth OF testimony 10 the effect that
in certain wards IL Is all but impos.
sible TO name competent and honest
men to act as judges aud clerks os
election.
The report recommends law. max.
ing compulsory the services OF voters
as judges and clerks OF election. that
general election inspectors provided
for by law shall be men of character
and standing with police authority. an
improved method of identifying vut
ers and the denial OF every candi
dates presence In a polling booth ex
cept while casting his own vote.
This last recommendation includes
candidates for precinct committee
men, who are alleged TO have led in
the corrupt acts OF the election.