The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-28

anonymous threatening letters. One
man who openly made threats was
arrested.
But, for the most part, they take
their medicine good-naturedly, even
gladly. for the community seems glad
10 unload its weight OF shame.
II has been no disgrace in Adams
county Ia sell votes. A choir singer
In the Methodist church displayed a
subpoena. The women do not stop
holding sewing bees at the homes OF
confessed vote-barterers. Politicians
give facts and figures freely and flu
emily.
Yes. | handled $4,000 at the last
election" says one of them.
Judge Bain holds what Adams coun-
ty calls his confessional" in "A little
room in the temporary courthouse,
and in this room the eminent citi-
zens" rush In droves TO plead guilty.
The saddest part OF IL all is that
most OF these men believe that they
are honest. Thirty years of vote-buy-
ing in the country has produced a
double standard OF morality--a poll
teal standard and an everyday life
standard.
Judge Blair receives the culprits
informally. Are you guilty." asks
The Judge.
Wal. you see, Jedge Blair, II was
like this" the plea begins. II gen
orally ends, Wal, | guess I'm gull
ty." Sentences are imposed and
usually suspended, except rs TO dis
reimbursement.
There's an occasional bright spot,
like the story of blind Bill Cline.
poorest man in the country, who
makes scant living by peddling
soap and trinkets. He tramps the
country with pack on his back, and
is the butt of village cutups. But
he refused So to vote the Democratic
ticket this fall, and voted the Repub-
lean for nothing.
I'm poor and blind says Cline,
but there isn't money enough in
Adams-co. 10 buy my vote.
Jeers Those Who Sold.
Ar old "heeler" in Liberty-tp., was
so rapacious in his demands that the
two party leaders agreed not to buy
his vote at all. SO he stayed away
from the polls. Now he stands around
jeering these who sold
Now you fellows, go up and pay
your fines Wonder you wouldn't be
decent
The disclosures made in the inves-
tigation are amazing. 1t has been
shown that preacher sold his vote
for $40 One eminent citizen" worth
$4,000, is being boycotted by the
of
and the votes OF his family at cut
rates, several dollars below the
market price.
w F. Mains, editor Of the Man
chester Signal, was hailed before the
judge for contempt because OF an edi-
torial assailing the court. The editor
was fined $50 and sentenced TO 80
days in Jail, but apologized publicly
end the penalty was suspended.
The average price per vote In
Adams county is SS. but during one
campaigp--Mhep.-hot1. parties were
well supplied with Doodle, $25 was
paid That year voters were placed
on boxes like in the old slavery days
and their votes were Knocked down
to the highest bidder. 1t was perfect
" open and above board. The crowd
around the auction block would cheer
as soon as IA man was bought
Adams county was named after
President John Adams. It's located on
the Ohio river about 90 miles east of
Cincinnati. The boast and pride OF
Adams county is the serpent mound,
the most elaborate and celebrated
work of the mound builders.
Whether or snot this symbolical
serpent in the Adams Eden had any
thing 10 do with the holding of pub.
lie morals does not appear, but some
serpent has been busy in Adams
county for a generation.
Now the judicial heel is busy bruis-
inc the sarnanf'a head