Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 October 1902 — VOTE BUYING BEGUN [ARTICLE]

VOTE BUYING BEGUN

Indiana Democratic.. Leaders Enter Upon a Wholesale Scheme of Debauchery. The Spencer Journal prints a sac simile of a campaign document which is of considerable interest. It reads as follows: Spencer, Indiana, Oct 11th, 1902. Received of F„ E. Durcher, two dollars, on condition of this and $3.00 I agree to vote the straight Democrat ticket on November 4th, 'O2, the .Democrat poll clerk to make out my ballot (Signed) ARCHIE CHAVERB. No. 15. The above receipt is said to be in the money referred to, returned it to the representative of. the local Democratic organisation, excepting the signature, aa made by Chavers, whb, after taking the money referred toT returned to the Democratic committeman, announcing that aa he Intended to leave town he could not deliver the goods, and deaired to return the money in exchange for the receipt, which was handed over. This is interesting as indicating what may be expected during the remaining days of the campaign throughout the state. The adoption of the same scheme is reported from many Other counties. The purpose in the plan here revealed is to place "floaters" tn the power of the Democratic organisation. The law punishes the •ale of votes by disfranchisement for from two to twenty years, and the giving of a receipt of this character lays the victim open to liability to indictment by the grand jury. As the election of congressmen is involved, it is pointed out that those engineering this aFhama are liable to ipdictment by federal grand juries.