The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-08-30
CHARLESTON LIVELY
DAY OF ELECTION
MILITIA WAS READY, But WAS
NOT NEEDED.
Many Fights Occurred, But Nobody
Was Seriously Hurt-Story of Ex-
citing Incidents.

The News and Courier carries the
following in regard to election day in
Charleston:
The most remarkable feature of the
day was the fact that at the request
of the leaders on the Martin-Legare-
Dunkin- Mansfield side the militia of
the city were quietly modified at
their armories towards dark prepared
to extend to the executive committee
such protection as the committee
might need in order to count the votes
cast during the primary. Arrange
ments were made to get in touch with
the governor so that at moment's
notice the militia could be ordered out
under arms. These steps were deem
ed necessary by the Martin-Legare
leaders on the ground that the events
of the day had shown that the police
could not be relied upon to protect
the executive committee and enable it
to make fair count
The day was marked by intense ex-
citement at some of the polls and by
many fights, although no one was seri-
ously hurt. Ward 8, with its polling
precincts side by side on Meeting
street below Market, was the storm
centre throughout the day.
Ward the Storm Centre.
1t was at Ward that most of the
incidents that seemed to threaten SER
ious trouble occurred. Of these the
one that caused greatest comment was
ia clash between Mayor Grace and Mr..
Albert Orth, the proprietor of the
'Deutsche Zeitung, in which, according
to the testimony of those who said
they we're e-witnesses, the mayor
!struck Mr.. Orth, whose paper has
been opposing very actively the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Perry. A threatening
crowd followed Mr.. Orth down the
street and he took refuge in nearby
Istore. Later he requested that he be
extended protection in order that he
might cast his ballot, and Chairman
Conner, of the executive committee,
offered to escort him to the polling
place and see that violence was not
done him. Mr. Orth, however, at the
earnest entreaty of friend who beg
ged him for his Wife's sake not to eX-
pose himself to great danger, later de-
cided not to go to the polls and to
forfeit his vote. The supporters of
Mr.. Perry were greatly in the majority
at the Ward 8 polling place Much
cursing was INDUCED in, severa,
fights occurred and several arrests
were made
Police Eject Committeeman.
1t was at Ward 3, Club 2, in the af-
ternoon that Mr.. William H. Grimball,
a member Of the county executive
committee, who had been stationed at
this precinct by Chairman Conner, of
the committee, was forcibly elected
from the polling place by three police
men. Mr.. Grimball was stationed at
the poll at time when word had been
! received by the executive committee
that unfair methods were being prac-
ticed and that the police were not
making any move to prevent it. His
! election from the poll caused the
greatest excitement at the time. He
protested with vehemence a. gainst
such treatment and hot words passed.
The policemen, however, refused to
let him re=enter the polling place.
State Committeeman Arrested.
1t was at Ward 8 that earlier in the
day Capt George Swan. member of
the State executive committee from
Charleston county, was arrested by a
policeman and sent to the station
house on the charge of intimidating
ia voter. This affair also caused con-
siderable excitement and Capt. Swan
later expressed the greatest indigna
ton at the way in which he had been
treated and stated that he would car
ry the matter into the court in order
to obtain redress for the indignity.
Capt. Swan gave the following state
ment to the News and Courier regard
ing the affair:
Il was standing aaginst Cameron
IBarkley's place. A. fisherman whom I
knew, John Olsen, captain of the
ismack Peerless, was standing nearby.