Politics of AlabamaManning, Joseph C. (Joseph Columbus)
History
Politics of Alabama
Manning, Joseph C. (Joseph Columbus)
Alabama -- Politics and government
In Conecuh county I received a majority of 1,235 votes,
and yet, by throwing out boxes and robbing others, this majority
was all wiped out, and a false majority of 270 given to Governor
Jones. In Pike county I received a majority of 910 votes and the
returns from eleven beats, giving me large majorities, were thrown
out or destroyed by the county returning-board, and a majority of
55 given to Governor Jones. The contests in both of these counties
(Conecuh and Pike) have been virtually decided in my favor by Judge
Hubbard, in his decision in the contest cases for judge of probate
in each county. His opinion, as rendered, being in favor of Dr. R.
A. Lee, of Conecuh, and T. H. Brown, of Pike, both of whom were
candidates for probate judge on the Kolb ticket. In like manner, as
in Conecuh and Pike, I was robbed of over 1,000 votes in Butler,
over 1,000 in Elmore, over 600 in Coosa, over 700 in St. Clair,
over 700 in Shelby, over 100 in Chilton, over 1,000 in Talladega,
over 500 in Walker, over 1,000 in Morgan and over 1,000 in Madison.
I have given plain and unvarnished facts, as I believe them to
exist, and positively assert that a fair and impartial investigation
will prove every statement made, to be true. It may be asked why the
evidence is not here adduced to prove these allegations. If adduced
here, these same parties would say that it was all _ex parte_ and
that it would be controverted and destroyed, if both sides should be
heard. Besides, they know that the details necessary to be recounted
as to each beat in so many counties, would make a summary too
voluminous to be incorporated in an address. All I ask is that a
full, fair and impartial investigation shall be had and that a true
judgment may be rendered. If Governor Jones and his friends are not
afraid of truth, equity and justice, why do they refuse? If the
effect would only be to remove a cloud from his title to the office,
would he not gladly embrace such an opportunity? 'But there's the
rub.' They well know that an investigation would disclose frauds and
manipulations which could not be defended, and would prove his claim
to the office of governor wholly unfounded upon right. That is why
they dare not permit an investigation. That is why some of them talk
so glibly what they would not dare to utter over their own
signatures. That is why the Legislature has treated this matter with
silence, while patriotic representatives of the people have urged and
insisted upon action, so that justice might be done, and right
triumph. Every honest man knows that Governor Jones has no shadow of
claim to the office of governor. The people, by their votes in
August, relegated him to private life for the next two years, and yet
he is sitting up at the Capitol upon a lot of stuffed ballot-boxes
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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