The Cairo bulletin., 1909-05-13
WHOLESALE HIRING OF VOTERS
TO WORK SUBTERFuGE TO
EVADE LAW.
NEGRO DANCE HALLS
Are Wide-open Dens of Vice TO Which
Attention of Authorities is d.
rected-Affidavits Missing
Ballot Boxes.

'~'N' N'"'' pipbobig VIII udJplii u
this morning after hearing motions in
several cases. The petit jury was dis
charged yesterday morning. there be-
ing no mere cases To be heard at this
time Cases disposed of yesterday
were:
Harrison Young on plea of petit
larceny; fined $25 and ten days in
Jail
Jeffie Rush granted divorce from
J2o. W. Rush, and given custody OF
the children
Blanche Nifong. divorce from Shi"-
ley Nifong, and allowed to resume
maiden name Of Blanche Baber
The grand jury was in session al
morning and till shortly after noon
when II reported a true bill in the
case Of James Davis charged with
assault to kill Eva Howard of Future
City. Tho sensation of the day in
court was the jury's report with re.
Spect to the late city election TIE
jury made dilecnt search for cNi.
in cases Of voters who were chall
lerged, also of yote-buyng under the
Euse of hiring men to work. II is
stated that the affidayits were not
found in the First and Third Warl
boxes which the jury called for aud /
opened in search of evidence. What
became of these affidayits is a ques-
ton which puzzled the jury:
The Jury's Report.
Hon. William N. Butler, Judge of the
FRS Judicial Circuit of the State
Of Illinois.
We the undersigned members of
thc grand jury do hereby submit the
following special report covering sew
eral matters We wish brought to
your attention
The evidence submitted to this |
body plainly shows that gross irregu,
larities in our last city election held
April 20, 1909, were freely inlulged
IN by candidates for offices, by the
wholesale hiring of workers" at
elections, which in our Judgment was
simply a subterfuee to evade the law
covering the receiving of money for
the influence of votes, as the majority
of the so-called workers" Offered
themselves as prospective applicants
Tor such position or were advised Of
the fact that they could secure such
positions by others at a designated
headquarters during election day and
that for their services as workers"
they would receive some money or
other consideration.
How They Were Hired.
No evidence was submitted show.
Ing where a list of the names of these
'wokers' was kept, but the only
Identification necessary TO receive
whatever consideration agreed upon
were cards of different kinds given
them. some of when were redeemed
during the day of election. others aft.
er The election and the day following
This free and promiscuous hiring !
of workers" on a large scale in one
or more wards or precincts at cleo
lions should be carefully looked into
and the employers of these so-called
workers be called upon to givel
the names of such workers" so that
the court may determine if any un.
limited number of voters can be en-
7loyed as workers" without these
voters being liable to prosecution for
accepting money or other considera-
tion 10 influence their vote.
Voting BY Affidavit.
This grand jury further begs 70
report that evidence submitted
brought out the fact that a full real
ization did not exist IN the minis Of
some of what constituted a legal vot-
er. nor was the seriousness of the OBJ
legation of acknowledging by an affi-
davit. when a voter was challenged
that said person was a legal voter
and entitled to vote, fully realized by
for this reason we ask that
you make public this report that a
repetition of thes- Irregularities
might not occur. and Instruct every
grand jury TO make thorough inves-
tigation of the conduct of all cleo /,
lions. We also ask that all clerks of
election b. instructed TO realize the
OF making note on the
poll books whenever vote is cast by
furnishing an affidavit aud when
ever a voter acknowledges he can
not read or write and receives assist
ance in marking his ballot by the
JUICES.
"Honk- onks"
We also beg to submit 10 you.
which was brought OFT in our investi.
cation. that il may De brought TO
the attention Of tie proper officials
for correction and regulation, the
very serious menace 10 the welfare