Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-31
POWER OF THUGS
AT POLLS HALTED
BY BLANKENBURG
Whisky and Blackjacks
Election Factors Before
Present Administration
ARTICLE CITES PROOFS
Independents Describe Condi-
ditions That Prevailed Prior
to Rule of Last 4 Years


How representatives Of the Republican
oIganizatlon mixed whiskoy, and cleo
tions blaok-iacked Independent voters
vstehers and workers into unconscious.
ness or Kidnapped them, piior TO the cleo
tion OF Mayor Blankenburg. and how
these conditions OF anarchy at the polls
have been changed during the last four
years. is told in the second OF the series
OF articles reviewing the administrative
and political conditions Of the present ad-
mnisaration. and contrasting them with
conditions that existed under organiza-
tion rule. The article was made public
today.
Additional names OF prominent Inde-
ptndents are signed to the second ar
ticle OF the series, telling the story OF
how Philadelphia was reclaimed by the
Blankenburg administration. II is en-
titled. lest We Forget" o.
samuel s. Fels. Charles jenkins and
Theodore j. Lewis signed the second ar
ticle. The four leading men who signed
the first also signed the one published
today They include Richard /. Austin,
Francis B Reeves, Charles 4. Tryon and
John G Winston.
The article follows:
ELECTION VIOLENCE.
For three and a half years the elections
hello In Philadelphia have been conducted
In an orderly manner, without violence
at the polls or disturbances or intimida-
ton of any kind Persons who have had
experience in political matters, and who
In the past have been familiar with the
conduct OF elections, have been amazed
aae 10 H.. -
and disorder at the polling places to the
present peaceful and law-abiding condi-
tion at the polls.
Loss careful observers are in danger OF
accepting today's orderly methods as a
matter OF course, and forgetting how
vicious were the methods of the con-
tractors organization when they were in
control \ brief review will recall to
these citizens how nearly those old meth
DDS brought the city to a condition of
anarchy.
The North American Of November 4.
1902 contains, under the headline 100
Independents Victims of Gang Election
1hugEery, statement as to injuries re-
pe rted TO have been sustained by indie
pendent workers and watchers on the day.
OF the November election 1909
Here there appear reports Of the cases
OF Or. William p Thompson, 9TH Division
- 'Ht NAli NhAAt AHdl ne was Slfuck
with blackjack on the neck directly
over the juglar vein, the force of the
blow telling him." of Anthony j. Bran
son, I'd Division of sth Ward, who is
quoted as having said: "They struck me
five times in the face" of James Car
ney, who In the same division is reported
as h'eving been "also beaten and thrown
IT. y the polling place." of Milton Eelig-
man. Sth Ward, who was struck in the
face and about the head" of j. s. Ride
mower, William Acker. John b. Kelly,
llth( Division of 10th Ward, two of whom
were residents of the Y. NJ C. A. at 1921
Arch street. all of whom were assaulted
In the polling place on election day; of
William McAllister OF whom 1t is said
that he was almost killed because he
was a Gibboney man. He had been
active in the campaign OF the independent
candidates. and when he went to the
polling place at Third and oxford streets
tuesday morning he was attacked by a
crowd OF roughs and knocked TO the pave
ment in front OF the polls
THE MCCONNELL CASE.
Some of these cases have resulted in
CRIMINAL acilons being brought against
those charged with the as avlts upon tn
INDEPENDENT watchers and voters Thus
The assault on the young men ON the
T. N, c. a. resulted in the conviction OF
one Charles Mcconnell. who was the Re-
publican division leader of the nth Di-
vision OF the 10th Ward and was then em-
ployed as decorator in the Bureau Of
city Property. He was arrested at the
instance of the Committee of Seventy
ana charged with assault and battery.
The case was called for trial, after sew |
nral delays, on March 23 1911. I'm Room |
'sS. before Judge Kinsey, and resulted |
IN disagreement OF the i'' The case |
Mas again called for trial in Roo n |
so5, before Judge Wiltbank, on June 2l /
1911. Mcconnell was found guilty. A mo. |
lion for a new trial was refused and Nc |
connell was sentenced by Judge Wiltbank |
70 one year In the County Prison and TO |
bay fine OF $500
The PUBLIC LEDGER, in an editorial puh-
ished March 29 1911. after the jury had |
iisasreed In the first trial. makes the fol- |
owing comment on this case:
= plain recital OF the facts disclosed
me political condition as well as the low
estate to which the administration OF
Justice seems to have fallen.
BLACKJACK USED.
AZ the November elections OF 1903
lhree young men-watchers for the Phila-
lelphia Party-Ridenour, Acker and Kelly
We're doing duty at the polling places
a the lith Division OF the Moth Ward
they had information of the activities OF
notorious band OF repeaters, and when
ne leader arrived he was Challenged
lte struck Kelly with a blackjack. ana
the band OF thugs. Of which
mcconnell. an employe OF the city. was
me leader fell upon the three reform
WORKERS and made a murderous assault
upon them with blackjacks and other
weapons appropriate 20 criminals and as
iassiDs.
ltidenouf was knocked TO his knees by
deadly blow from the rear on the back
- ms mead John y, Kelly was accorded
lm'iAr treatment by Mcconnell ana his
,and, Acker Was ficiously pounded by
ne mugs and thrust from the polling
lihce. keilys injuries were SO serious
hat he was laid up for a week. AS for
tldenouf and Aeker a policeman, who
Aaa ready 10 10 his ahare, seized these
oung men while the blood poured down |
'Fer their faces ANA locked them up IN
} police station.
The iculprits were held Imprisoned un-
A later ~ The day. There was no charge
'sainst them, and they were finally re- Il
eased without trial and without being
'equired 70 give bonds or TO 20 through
my other legal formality The needs of
ne day had been met. due notice had Il
'ffn served upon independent voters that
hues would be projected IN their work
4 depIiring citizens OF the right 70 vote,
md the policeman evidently did what 4
vas expected OF him
SEVEN POsTPONEMENTs.
fMcronneil's case was actually posi-
onf1 seven times Monfhs ngld months
114fo. and II Il could have hoen