Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-18
ON WITH THE FIGHT
IN TERRE HAUTE
Election Day Followed by a Hard
Battle in Which the Women
Stirred Public Opinion Into Effec-
tive Action.
BY IRWIN L. GORDON


THE day following the election in Terre
l. liaute found the leaders Of the women's
movement in conference. The reports of the
various ward chairmen were heard, the
wholesale debauchery of the electorate and
the faErant violation Of law were discussed
and definite plan OF campaign outlined.
Not only had the women secured the most
valuable information obtained, but they
meant that definite action should be taken.
Some of tho leaders knew of the suggestion
that an appeal be made to the United states
Government to assist Terre Haute. 1t was
finally settled to send a telegram to Governor
Samuel NJ. Ralston. lie was also called on
the long distance telephone. The Governor,
creature of the state Organization, would do
nothing.
Some OF the women drew up a telegram to
Judge A. b. Anderson, OF the Indiana Circuit
Court, the only Federal Judge in the state
knowing that he was interested in decent
elections and had privately spoken his views
regarding the Tcrre Haute machine, they be-
lieved an appeal to him would bear fruit.
The Women Send Telegram
Thus It was the women of Terre Haute
who first officially called the attention of the
election to Federal authorities. Exactly what
action Judge Anderson took after receiving
the following telegram has not been made
public. but it is known that the investigation
began in surprisingly short time. The tce-
gram read
"The women of Tcrre Haute who worked
at the polls yesterday. many Of whom are
taxpayers, desire to call your attention TO
some fragrant election law violations, Major
ity members of election boards refused to al
low challenges of illegal votes, lnterfered
with minority officials when they insisted
upon challenges, arrested them, took them
from the polling places, assaulted them and
stole their poll books The city police were
stationed around and inside polling places TO
intimidatc honest voters copies of notice of
restraining order issued by the Superior
Court were torn up in some precincts and
the order ignored.
"Oflcers of the Superior Court were as
saulted, beaten, shot at and arrested when
seeking to enforce orders of the court. In
spectors of precincts openly and against the
wishes Of many voters operated the keys and
turned the levers on the voting machines
and many times for a ticket in direct oppos
tion to the expressed wishes of the voters.
The minority election officials and good clt-
zens were absolutely without protection OF
the city police department or the county sher
ifs office.
1.-THE women know that the election re-
turns arc false and fraudulent and desire
TO voice their Indignation, and urge your ear
nest support and interest in an Investigation"
1t was signed by Mrs. u o. Cox, president
Women's Council of Clubs; Mrs. S. C. Slim
son, chairman Clean Election Committee;
Miss Emma b. Moore, general secretary Y.
w. C. A. Miss Helen Benbridge, president
Woman's Franchise League Mrs. NJ. A Nor
gan, West Terre Hauts; Madge p. Stephens,
n tn milf Of
the Socialist party.