The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-05-02

proven" 1t SdyS mat We
that the rumors were exaggerated ano
some of them totally false, and the
city in some respects slandered' ano
then tells of certain acts OF corruption
But there is no Indictment
Speaking of III report of the grand
jury the Charlotte News says: III
is to be regretted that the grand jury
was unable to find sufficient evidence
to make out a true bill against those
who used money and whiskey IN the
late municipal election. We know
that it had a difficult task in this
matter, but had hoped that it might
at least secure enough evidence to
find a rue bill so that the matter
might be fully investigated by the
courts" 1t heartily commends the
suggestion of the grand jury that the
primary law be amended SO as to pro-
vide against betting, the grand jury
also recommending that the Austria
liam ballot system be used.
The grand jury in its report says
that the citizens it had before 1t, in
Guiding representatives of the daily
papers of Charlotte, who wrote ar
ticles about the bribery and giving OF
intoxicating liquors at the primary,
gave no Information to act IN merely
irresponsible rumors. The report
hen goes On to say:
From investigation we believe that
the rumors were exaggerated and some
OF them totally false and the city In
some respects slandered. We think,
however, that some OF the rumor
were circulated thoughtlessly. It Is
our opinion that in some few wards
Of the city there was some drinking.
which we condemn, but we have no
evidence hat liquor was furnished
corruptly to influence voters. We
think that there was the usual and
ever-to-be-condemned corruption OF
certain low. citizens. hut we. are an
able to. fix. responsibility on, anyone.
From the ,rumOrs we think betting was
the cause OF some corrupt practices,
and we would therefore respectfully
recommend to better election condi-
lions for Charlotte that the primary
act Claws 1901, Chapter $40 be SO
amended as to provide for an anti
betting clause and the Australian bal
lot Systpm. = These OrOvjSiOns
would certainly help to purify the
ballot
The Charlotte News. in it's account
Of the Investigation of the grand jury
says that it summoned. three news
paper reporters before it, and inquired
of several other people about the al
legged corruption Of the ballot but that
10 policeman, and no election officer
was. before the grand jury. Yet while
the grand jury says that it believes
reports were exaggerated, some totally
false and that the city was in some
respects slandered. it still Opinions
that there was drinking in some wards,
that we think there was the usual
and ever-to-be-condemned corruption
OF certain low citizens and that
from the rumors we hin betting
tees"
Here the grand jury comes to a
stop as to the charges. It would
seem that with the belief it expressed
that it should have used the probe.
II certain low citizens were corrupt
ed, if betting caused corrupt prac-
tees there must have beer people
pehlnd these things. With the i'm
presSlons it has made the State will
regret tina the grand jury did not go
on. for what is needed is drastic meth
DDS against any influences which cor
rupt the ballot, and that the men cor |
rupted are certain low citizens, fur
hlshes no excuse, for 1t is this class |
that we must expect to be used by
corrupting Influences. h men who
90 the ~corrupting ought to be run |
oo"n and an end be put TO. any in
nuence that tends to make an election
a mere matter of barter and cola
"hether IN Charlotte or in any other
city.