The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-10-09
Had Promised This Right to
Progressives Because They
Have No Other Election
Officers.
ACTION TO-DAY is
A LAW VIOLATION
Statutes Require Appoint
ments Just Made Be Made
in September Ward
Heelers Can Rule Now.

The county commissioners this
morning went back on their promise
TO Progressive County Chairman. Will
Robbins and announced they would APP
point Republican election inspectors.
This leaves the Progressives without
means to safeguard their ballots in
Wayne county and opens the way for
coalition of Republican and Demo
cratic gangsters in the various elec-
tion precincts to count the ballots un-
observed by members of the one par
ty they both fear. ....-
On September 4th. Mr.. Robbins ap-
ney Linderman, Robert Beeson and
Homer Farlow, and told them that un-
der the state law il was impossible for
the Progressives to have representa-
tives at the polling places unless they
would appoint Progressives as inspec-
tors. He pointed out the fairness OF
doing this as the Democrats and Re-
publicans would have a Judge and
clerk each in all polling places. and.
together with the Socialist and Pro-
hibition parties, watchers at the can
vass of the vote.
Fariow Kept Silent.
AT that time Lipderman and Bee
SON. a majority. agreed to grand the
request of the Progressives and said
they would appoint Progressivees as
! election inspectors. Farlow refused
to take a definite stand and remained
| neutral by keeping silent, presumably
because he is a candidate in this eiec-
ton to succeed himself as commits
sioner on the Republican county
ticket.
The state law requires that these
appointments be made during the
month of September by the commits
sioners. This was not done and afford
ed the Progressives their first intima-
ton that there was a hitch in the per-
| formance of the commissioners prom
+, Use. Investigation showed that Re-
publican County Chairman, Paul Com
stock, with an automobile load of Re-
publican leaders had called on the COM
missioners at their homes. 1t is pre-
sumed they brought pressure to bear
sufficient to keep the commissioners
| from keeping their word to the Pro-
gressives about the inspectors and de-
layed the appointments that should
have been made in September.
Arguments Are Heard.
| Today was set by the commission
ers for another hearing on the matter.
At the meeting this morning Chair
man Comstock, John Russell, George
Thornburg. Perry ]. Freeman. Sanford
Henning and Ray Shiveley appeared
for the Republican organization. Chair
man Robbins, Ed. Warfel, Ed. Harris
and Frank Roberts appeared for the
Progressives.
| Mr.. Comstock told the commission
ers that it was their duty to appoint
Republicans as inspectors at the elec-
ton in order to conserve" the Repub-
lican party and organization.
Mr.. Shiveley argued that the Pro-
gressives were not entitled to the in
spectors because they belonged TO an
indefinite and irresponsible party, and
that, therefore, Republicans should be
appointed as inspectors.
Mr.. Robbins, who spoke for the Pro-
gressives, said the Progressives in
asking for the election inspectors were
!. not doing so to further their organiza-
ton by the emulents of the offices but
| solely in the interests of securing an
honest election.
Had Secret Session.
| Then, despite Farlow's and Beeson's o
| Continued on Page Six)