The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-17
ISAAC DOUGHTY,
Assistant Justice l2ih Ward.
FURTHER BEAUTIES OF LOCO FocoIsM

The Newark Daily Advertiser of Monday records
one of the most disgracetul exhibitions of the law.
less spirit Of Loco-focoism yet produced In these
degenerate times We extract the following ac-
count from that paper, which has always been re-
markably free from cxaegeration of any kind, and
we have no doubt presents statement absolutely
correct:
During the late session Of the Legislature
large body Of the inhabitants of the township OF
Harrington In Bergen county petilioned to be set off
In new township.
Aner much consideration, the Legislature pass
ed bill erecting all that part the township which
lies west of the Hackensack into separate town
ship, 10 be called Washington, providing, at the
same time that Il should not go into effect until
majority OF the legal voters, who reside In the dis
trict OF the contemplated township Of Washington,
agree thereto; and that an election BY ballot, con-
tanning the word division no DIVISION 10
tain the same shall be held the house OF Peter A.
Jersey on the first Thursday Of April next
In pursuance with this provision, the people Of
! l district west Of the Hackensack assembled on
THURSDAY morning at Jerseys Inn to the number Of
2DO and upwards, al the appointed hour.
81 The election proceeded quietly for about an
About IL o'clock four wagons drove up, containing
bevy Of some 80 persons from the neighborhood OF
the Palisades east or the Hackensack, and OF course
out OF the district interested, with gs flying one of
which bore the inscription Poverty Triumphant
streaming from a long hickory pole They marched
TO the polls, and offered TO VOTE but told they
lived out Of the district and were therefore not en-
titled to voice in the question. The election and
the law were then vociferously denounced as Of no
effect, and 10 the midst of the crowd about the poll
the highest excitement prevailing, dash was made
70 seize the ballot box on the inspectors table
| Some of the voters Standing near, however, sue
ceeded in removing II TO the floor behind the table.
! Blows followed the inspectors, being peaceable
| men, escaped, and general scuiie ensued, during
which some of the wings who remained to protect
the ballot-box were severely wounded. The iurni-
ture and walls Of the room were violently broken In
the contest, and some severe wounds were inflicted
! BY the Closter men with knives sharp siones.-
They succeeded at length in getting possession OF
the box with lis contents, and marched out with
shouts OF triumph. Locofoco procession was
formed, and, after parading up and down the street
with "the spoils," they marched to The house OF a
leading member of their party in the neighborhood,
and participated In dinner, which appears 10 have
been provided for the occasion. The election was
of course, broken up, the law of the State nullhed
and its authority SET at defiance. the ballotbox
found the next morning in a barn-yard broken to
| pieces and the tickets scattered about il.
"As this outrage, unparalleled in our history as
Sta re, will probably undergo legal investigation we
\ iorbear comment. We have given bare outline of
the case ,omitling names, have received i from
the lips oil several ofhe most respectable citizens who
we're present, and from the written documents before
as Fortunately as yet nothing more can be required
10 excite the universal odium Of the country. is
a practical demonstration of the licentious spirit
which would reduce this orderly Republic into
| brawling democracy
| Two afidavits are annexed to this statement, one
signed by sixty-three persons, who make oath that
they did duly deposite in the baotbox tickets marked
| Division" and another BY tweny-nine, who depose
that they intended to do The same, but were prevent
ed by the /" No Division" party taking the ballot
box by force from the custody of the Inspectors OF
| the Election.-N. Y. American.