The Cairo bulletin., 1908-11-18

Fully FIVE hundred voters were
gathered at the court house last
night in response to the call OF the
Committee of Fifteen to organize a
Pure Ballot League in Cairo, ana II
was one of the most representative
Gatherings ever held in the city
There were probably 400 white
voters and over 100 negro voters;
ana one OF the most significant things
was that, while there was plenty OF
enthusiasm there was also evident
more than ordinary earnestness crl
determination, there being an ao
gsnce Of all sign of disposition to
sneak Iightly-there WASH any tell
Ing OF funny stories and no laughter
bur muct hearty applause as the
ep~a akers presented some OF the eVl S
sought to be corrected and voiced a
determination to correct them.
Hon. NJ. f. Gilbert called the meet
ing to order and said the committee
of Fifteen had suggested w. b.
lluette as temporary chairman. Mt
Hrette was accepted by the as
SPlnDldSe anu Ilol' / - NiNi4'N
was chosen secretary, Prof. Bannis-
tei treasurer.
Chairman Huette made a ringing
little speech setting forth the pur-I
poses OF the meeting and the need OF
the organization proposed to be
formed. He expressed the belief that
the people of Cairo were ready to
take action in the matter. Some said
IL would be impossible 10 check the
election frauds but he believed II
cCalld be done, and the colored voters
were going to help in the movement.
Mr. Huette grew eloquent when he
appealed to the latter, referring to
tho five thousand graves at Mound
CITY National cemetery, where lay
thai many men who had left stricken
hearts at home to fight for their
country and for the negros freedom
the rivers Of blood thu al flowed
and the mountains of money II had
cost. to gain this end. He asked
what these FIVE thousand men would
say if they were told that all their
sacrifices were made only IN order
that the negro might hawk his bal
lot about the streets on election day
He did not believe the negroes pres
ent would stand for that state OF
things. but would help to the extent
OF their ability to correct the evils
complained Of There were shouts OF
approval from the negroes present
Hon. Walter Warder said he was
present because he wished TO be with
the sheep and not with the goats,
whenever there was any chance for
il and this movement certainly en-
hraced the sheep, and he wished to
have his name on the list He be
lieyed the illegitimate spending Of
money was the greatest evil, any
evils in the registration or in the
counting OF votes could be easily
reached by the appointment Of good
men as election judges and clerks.
and by agreement between the two
political organizations; but the buy
ing of votes was the greater evil and
Was more difficult to reach Or.
sarization was necessary to reach
this. Mr. Warder expressed himself
in full sympathy with the move
ment.
Douglas Halliday said he would do
whatever he could TO help the move
ment along. feeling that Cairo could
have and should have reforms az her
cleo tions.
Hon. N. r. Gilbert. chairman Of
The Democratic county central com
rgittee. said there should be no eE-
tremes for extremes were never sue
cessful. The movement should be
CAIN and earnest. and the law should
be enforced against all alike. The
committee Of fifteen of which he was
4 member. could 10 little OF Itself.
they must have the backing of the
people and the men VINO would com
nit fraud at our elections. and the
voters who would sell their votes.
must feel that the people had their
c.es on them aud we're watching
them. The found afious Of republ
cen government depended on the
purity Of the ballot
Judge Butler said amen 10 tfe
movement. Il He referred to the great
number Of transient criminals IN the
CITY Who we're a burden % the com
ulnity In the corrts and a factor 90
The election evils complained o. al
though he expressed the opinion Tat
the percentage Of votes cast by mel
sao were not entitled 70 vote VA
VERY small 4 considerable nunbei
Of river men claimed their homes
bere ana had a right 70 vote here a.
thCagh they might Be here only
short time. but they had little or nt
iaterest here and didn't care Nh'
IS rseifaI There we're = consider