If you receive this twice, I apologize. I sent this out at 7ish this morning and it hasn't gone out yet. Ignore if this is a duplicate! Sandi TIP #513 - OF OLD-TIME ELECTIONS By the time you receive this tip, you will be gearing up to go to the polls and cast your votes. Voting has been one of the greatest privileges of American citizenship and whether Republican, Democrat, Independent or other, it is important to make that trek and stand in line. Now this tip isn't going to be one of endorsement of one man or party over another, but a short look back at the wild and wooly elections of the past, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries. No great detail will be given, but we forget that elections and campaigning of those days were just as bitterly fought as those of today. I will be quoting from several local sources and references about some of the going-ons. According to Franklin Gorin, author of Times of Long Ago (Barren Co KY), p. 47: "In the early years of this century [19th], there were in this county three precincts, at which the candidates for the legislature received their votes, namely Glasgow, Pikeville and Tompkinsville All would cast their votes at Pikeville and Tompkinsville the first day, then the whole could would assemble at Glasgow the third day to witness the result, which would be known as the close of the pole. It was at these elections the following practice arose: So soon as the result would be known, the whole crowd would rush to the polls, (where the candidates sat to thank their voters as they received a vote) and seize the successful men, on their shoulders and carry them sitting upright around the public square, then to the Big Spring where the elected had provided a barrel of whiskey, enough brown sugar to sweeten it and tin cups. The Big Spring furnished the purest and coolest water; thus delicious toddies were made and drunk with toasts and shouts until all were satisfied and made happy." William Daniel Tolle, a Barren County historian who wrote for a local paper from 1877 through the early 1920's wrote of the campaign of 1840, a particularly bitter one. This campaign was known as the "Log Cabin" hard cider and coon skin campaign." Locally he writes that a big barbeque was the order of the day. Wagons rolled in with a cabin on it. The cabin contained barrels of "hard cider" enough to whet the thirst of any uncommitted voters. Voting days were interesting. Of course, only free white males could vote in the early days and they must have saved up all their energies just for the election! Fighting over the best man was the order of the day; whiskey and moonshine flowed, arguments were heard everywhere. Votes were not private like they are today, everyone gathered around to see who an individual was voting for. Votes were often bought or sold for a drink. Now, not all the citizens participated in the rioting and drinking; but if it was ever to be seen, this was the day or days to get a ring side seat! Lewis Collins, History of Kentucky Volume 1shown much good information on elections: p. 50: $100 fine for betting on elections passed the Kentucky Legislature 1 March 1854. Oh, betting had been an active pastime of that day! And, after the law above was passed, there were many arrests for citizens who kept up the practice! I have read through many of the court cases reference betting on the elections; the authorities just hauled them in one after one sometimes. p. 131: "Provides the manner of Kentucky soldiers in U S service voting for U S president and vice-president (5 Feb 1864). It appears there was no provision for the War of 1812 for the soldiers to vote and this was being corrected for the Civil War. p. 157: President Lincoln signs the bill introduced into the US Senate by Gov. Powell of Kentucky which passed the senate by a large majority, and the house of representatives by 113-19 - to prevent military interference with elections; the penalties for violation are very severe. (Feb 25, 1865). p. 170: Heavy fines imposed for preventing legal voters from voting violating an order. Certain soldiers were interfering with the voting process. p. 173: Rioting erupts at an election; more than 20 men killed throughout the state.(Aug 6, 1866). p. 246k: Riots break out in Nicholasville in Jessamine County, people shot and injured. While the old-time politicians didn't have access to television, the internet and other high-speed transmissions of data, there was negative advertising! Newspapers ruled and its messages were delivered. They were primarily partisan in their approach and candidates were thoroughly trashed if of an opposing party of the editor. This held not only for local politicians but national as well. John Adams was accused of being a "closet British loyalist" in 1800. Andrew Jackson was accused of being a bigamist in 1828. Grover Cleveland was charged with fathering a child out of wedlock in 1884. Cartoons of a vicious nature were common and sing-song choruses and poems invented. The Republicans campaign slogan of that year was "Ma, Ma, where's my pa? Gone to the White House, Ha! Ha! Ha!. Cleveland admitted that the story was true. On the other side, The Republican nominee was James Blaine whom the Democrats labeled "The Continental liar from the State of Maine." This has been noted to be one of the meanest campaigns in American history. It might also be noted that in the 19th century party bosses were choosing their party nominees for Congress. So if you're tired of commercials and attacks, they've been around a long time; the general public just didn't get to witness it 24 hours a day. (c) Copyright 28 Oct 2004, Sandra K. Gorin