The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-02
SEE
COUNTY VICTORY
CONTINUED From Page u

II am feeling very optimistic, -
Reach said. 1.-The early vote was
light, hut the early voters were most
ly straight party supporters. Demo
cratic workers are on the Job and
we expect to get the big indepen-
dent vote to the polls this afternoon.
We are much encouraged by the
fact that the Ku-Klux Khan is not at
the polls in the strength 1t was In
the 1924 State election"
Coffin Confident
"This is Republican weather
George v. Coffin, Republican chair
man. declared two hours after the
polls opened.
He reiterated his prediction OF a
Republican county victory by a
majority Of $1,000. and estimated
that 400 voters would be compelled
to make affidavit in Circuit Court in
order to cast ballots, due to regis
tration' tangles.
Republicans, however, seemed to
realize that they were entering one
of the most doubtful contests in
years. Almost from dawn Coffin s
headquarters in the X. of p. Bldg.
was Beehive Of activity. The ma
chine WAS well-oiled and working
smoothly. with hundreds of men en-
ployed in it's operation.
Sheriff Omer Hawkins was on
hand. with deputies to aid in guiding
voters. Precinct workers were well
equipped and every vote challenged
was Immediately taken care Of by
transporting the voter to the court
house and getting an official o. X.
Cali on Coffin
Some workers seemed to believe
that approval from Coffin was the
only thing necessary to o. K. the
voter whose name did not appear
on the official registration list. COT
fin spent part of the morning In
explaining such was not the case,
both over the phone and in person.
Reach was on hand carlo, but few
workers reported to Democratic
headquarters In the Merchants Bank
Bldg. They were told to go out and
work at the polls and apparently
they did. for the place was quiet
,One fight was reported to election
commissioners. When the regular
election clerk failed to appear at SIT
Massachusetts, Ave-, First precinct,
Seventh ward. the Democratic pre-
cinct committeeman insisted on serv-
ing. Gideon Blain. election commits
sioner who Investigated, said.
The Republican precinct commit
teeman objected and was about to
settle the matter with a blackjack
when the policeman stationed there
interfered. Blain said. Appearance
Of the regular clerk settled the dis
pute. No arrests were made.
An argument also arose at 2o37
E. Maryland ST. >Ninteenth pre-
cinct, Tenth ward, when four men
sought the two election judge posts.
The dispute was settled amicably.
Some Trouble
There was some trouble in the
Seventh precinct, Seventh ward, at
SAB f. Market st. 1t was reported
that the election clerk, a Republican,
was challenging the vote Of every
one. The precinct sheriff. a Demo
crat. sought to prevent the challeng
ing. but found himself unable to cope
with the situation. He. called to the
election board for help.
Machines were reported out of or
der in the Second precinct. First
ward, at 1861 N Gale st., and the
Twenty First precinct of the Ninth
Ward, 1910 e. Michigan st. The
latter reported about $3.50 a. m, had
not been working since the polls
opened, it was said. Repairmen
were sent to both places.
Voting in the Negro district,
which in the past has been fairly
heavy before working hours, was ex-
ceptionally slow, it was reported. Re-
publican leaders, who usually count
on a large majority Of the Negro
votes. appeared to be worried.
Fifty of the 800 voters registered
in the first precinct Of the Second
ward at GIG Blake ST. had cast their
ballots at 500 a. m. OF these votes,
half were estimated to be Demo
cratic.
More Negro workers, both men
and women, appeared at the polling
places. Numerous fires were bull
to ward off the chill Of the early
morning weather.
Rufe Page on Hand
Rufe Page, prominent Negro Re.
publican, who was said to be on the
outs with the Coffin faction. was re-
ported back in line. Page was re.
Gently arrested on a charge of keep
ing a gambling house, the police
favorite club used by the county po-
litical boss to bring the "Avenoo''
boys into line. Page was about the
polls at 1925 Lafayette ST., Seventh
precinct, Third ward. He was TAX
ing no active part however
In this precinct nearly 500 votes
were registered. Half of these are
doubtful. At 9 a. m. SO votes had
been cast. Poll workers said nearly
200 votes should have been cast in
the first three hours
A heated scene took place at the
Second precinct, Sixth ward. $40 N.
Senate Ave. Failure to get the ma
chine open until a. m. was con-
strued by the Republican poll work.
ers a move to discourage the regular
line Republicans. With 500 registered,
only thirty-four votes had been cast