Evening journal., 1912-08-14
WEDNESDAY. AUG. IA. 1912
CRAIG AND THE DEMOCRATS.

III relative TO the appointment by the Board Of
Elections Of Richard Craig TO be one Of the Republi-
can registration and election officers in the Fourth
Election district Of the Second ward in this city
There are three chief reasons for that Democratic
criticism. One Ia that the Board of Elections. which
appointed Craig, controlled by the Repubcans an
other that Craig has been for years active Re
publican in that district, and the third is that, fol-
lowing the city election in 1909. Craig arrested
accused Of having permitted mpersonaors vote in
his district Those Democrats to lose sight Of
the fact that Craig never convicted and that, in
the eyes Of the law, he Is presumed to be innocent.
That should hold particularly good in view Of the
fact that his prosecution in the hands of
Democratic Attorney General. who would have been
delighted could he have put Craig behind the for
term Of years.
THE EVENING JOURNAL stands for clean and
wholesome politics II is not now and will not be
apoloeis for any person who guilty Of political
orookedness corruption. In connection with this
Craig case however It desires to remind the DEM
that TO be successful in such controversy as
they raised they must enter It with clean hands
Let how clean the hands of the Democrats
are in connection with this case.
The Fourth district Of the Second ward has had for
years a bad political reputation. Il gained It IN the
days when the Democrats had control Of the Board
Of Elections and used It's powers to an outrageous
limit against the Republicans In those days Of Dem
ocratc domination honesty, fairness and justice
the affairs of the Board of Elections
The voting strength OF the Fourth district of the
Second ward is made up Of between 200 and 800 ne
groes and about 10 white men, When the Democrats
controlled the Board of Elections the henchmen OF
that party resorted every device to prevent
those negroes from voting Intimidation, threats of
arrest. dilatory tactics and fraud the weapons
used against the negro voters, both in the regis
tration and the election Quite naturally trouble
suited. At times there was roting. accompanied by
bloodshed In almost all instances the trouble
started by white hoodums who had been employed
by the OF the Democratic machine TO into the
district and keep the Republican vote to the lowest
possible minimum
When the Republicans obtained control OF the Board
Elections and Republican fairness took the place Of
Democratic unairness and crookedness. great change
came over the condition Of affairs in the Fourth
election district OF the Second ward Fair registration
and election officers appointed and fraud, in
timdaton and violence stamped out Since then.
from political point OF view, It has been OF the
most orderly election districts in city
We now come down to the city election Of 1909
Craig officer in that election. The Democrats
we're so successful in that fight that they won ma
iority of City Council majority however did
satisfy them. In furtheranoe Of the crooked work
they had planned. they needed two-thirds vote That
not for in the transaction of the legitimate
business OF the city but TO give them power oust
from oce three prominent Republicans. and TO wrench
from competent Republican hands the control Of two
important city departments.
George W. Sparks and Charles A. Rudolph were
Republican members OF the Board Street and Sewer
Commissioners William " Knox member o
the Board OF Water Commissioners With those mel
IN Office the Republicans controlled those departments
and the Democratic spolsmen could not get their hands
upon them. The Democrats conferred IN downtown
hotel and decided that, they vote shor
Of the coveted two-third vote in Council they wou
Dust Of the Republican councilmen and seat
Democrat in his stead.
They csnvassed the situation and agreed that th
easiest man to oust was Walter Rash, Republican
Councimen-e'ect from the Second ward. To Gust Ras
was necessary for chem 10 frame up agains
him They proceeded to do It. the aim being to shoy
that he had been elected fraudulently the cours
Of framing up that they decided that II allega
tions Of fraud to be made. Of the district
10 be made the subject of the Democratic attac
should be the Fourth election district Of the Secon
ward To attack successfully the election return
that district It necessary attack the honest
OF someone and It agreed that Craig should b
the goat Charges that he had received eg
votes framed; he arrested and admitted
bail and subsequently the charges dropped
Andrew c. Gray. the Democratic Attorney-Gen
Meantime question had arisen relative to the lega
OF the city election of 1909 and in the consequent
gle settle that question, the Democratic attack urs
Craig and Councilman Rash collapsed and Spark
Rudolph and Knox saved from the outrageol
Democratic plan to oust them
Meantime Craig. showing a commendabe spirit
delicacy. declined to serve longer registration
election officer. This year. however, the Board
Elections experienced much trouble in obtaining
that district who understood the work and Il
law that they placed him the list Ground W
taken that the charges against him in 1903 had be'