The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-17
From the NJ Y. Express, DRILL.
NEW YORK ELECTION RIOTS.
LocorocoIsM pISPLAYEp.

Horrible State of Things in the l21 Hayd-Yes-
terday was horrible day In The 18th ward. We
had practical locofocoism OF the most depiorable
kind, to which we invoke the devoted attention of
the public. On Tuesday. when the polls closed, Il
was ascetained that the Wings had at least an equal
number OF votes, or, i may be, even hiy or sixty
ahead. On Wednesday-the poll was held LAT York
vlle-about half past ten o'clock, scene OF savage
excess commenced, unequalled and unheard of in
this city, which alarmed the bravest men In the ward
and absolutely deferred the rmest Of the Wing party
from exercising their right OF suffrage. gang Of
demi.savages from the Water works surrounded the
poll and kept possession all day, attempting 10 pre-
vent any person voting whom they even suspected Of
being Wing, or from approaching the polls TO ex-
ercse his right. Several pedceable and unofending
persons attending The polls, and some who had charge
of the tickets were brually attacked beaten, dis
figured, and sent into the inspectors room covered
with blood and wounds. The inspectors themselves
were apprehensive of their own safety, and liza man
deposited Wing Vote Il was at the very peril OF his
Fearing scenes similar to what occurred at the
last election, prior understanding was had with
persons who were supposed TO have control Of the
riotous locofoco mob OF that ward, who promised
that limo extra civil force sent there as contem-
plated, they would pledge themselves for the public
peace. Among these persons, or OF those apparently
abetiing these brutaliies by not exerng themselves
TO put them down, were Peter Quinn, contractor
On the roads, John Quinn, Alexander Parker, the
present locoioco candidate for constable Cd John
Meigs another contractor on the roads, and Richard
Crawford.
An express reached the Mayors Office at very
late hour last nghf, with the important document
we publish below from the inspectors; to which were
appended great many dispositions from many re-
spectacle inhabitants In The ward, which we have not
room to publish. Two Of the inspectors signed this
document, the first Of whom is the Tammany in
spec,or, and the second The Wing; and the absence
of Mr.. Craigs NAME the other inspector, is account
ed for by his living In remote Part This out-town
ward whom il was not convenient to visit with the
nj haf hnu huf VII yer
heartily concurs in the representation.
These horrible ourages are committed by unna-
turaZed lrishmen, even upon their own country
men too! Some ofthese are water-works laborers,
and more are announced to-day as coming from the
water-works with drum and fife. A great many
Irishmen in the 18th ward vote the wing ticket, and
the unnaturalzed Irshmen who vote the locofoco
ticket are so outrageous when they are challenged
that they wish to murder all wings who insist upon
their taxing the OATH A Young whig yesterday had
the nerve TO challenge twenty-one persons attempt
ing to vote, and only FIVE of them would take the
oath! They Immediately, however, sought the life
OF this young man, and he preserved himself by
fight Such state Of things in civilized land Is
indeed horrible.
The Military, il will be seen, were called for by
both the Wing and the Tammany inspector. They
say civil force is there poweress for the support OF
order. What course the Mayor will take We are
able say; but understand he had the affair
under deiberation till very late hour. Where are
the aldermen and assistant aldermen of this ward
ferocities The inspectors, if it be not in the power
Of the Mayor To protect them, not called upon 10
sacrifice the lives OF persons, TO aid in mamngs,
and such brutality as they sreak of below. Let them
refuse TO receive vote till life is protected. The
poll today If held at all is to be at the house Of de-
tention in Harlem.
To the Hon. Aaron CLARK, Mayor:
We, the undersigned, two Of the inspectors OF the
election of the Twelfth Ward hereby declare, that
during the two past days OF the present election,
there have been frequent tumults at the polls-riot
and bloodshed. That at least four occasions yes
terday, persons were attacked BY mob Of rioous
people, and were greatly bruised and injured, and
that these four persons were avowed or understood
to be Wings. That one Of these persons was Jordan
Mott, Esq, an aged and respectable citizen, who,
while conversing in the Hall, was seized and struck
and was rescued BY his son and brought into the in
specors' room That on this day the following cases
arose:
First. The case of -- Smedes, who was en-
gagged in distributing Wing tickets.
Second A Scotchman, who had voted the Wing
ticket and was distributing the same tickets.
Third The case of Thomas Smith, one Of the
marshals employed in the room where the inspectors
were receiving voes Mr. Smith is very respeca-
Bile and well disposed person. and has passed the two
days Of the election Ia The immediate presence 81 the
inspectors. While standing In his place he was
suddenly felled TO the fool he says, by blow on the
side of his head. The perpetrator Of this act could
not be discovered.
a Fourth William Rowe, a special deputy marshal,
a respectable, inofensve man, who was attacked by
the mob, and fed for safety into the upper room,
where the inspectors and clerks were az dinner.
Fifth. George Pine, one of the lamp-lighters IN
Harlem while quietly sitting on the piazza OF The
house where the polls we're held employed In Taking
charge Of the box from which the Wing tickets were
street, kicked and bruised, his hair torn from his
head his clothes torn from his body and his person
bruised in several places. He was rescued and
brought for safety into the inspectors room, ragged
swollen and bloody.
.SirM. Samuel Gross, who was dragged from the
drivers box Of stage employed by the friends OF
the Tammany party, and greatly bruised and inJur-
ed his clothes being torn, and his body bloody
Sepenth. Bernard Baldwin. Mr. Baldwin is very
respectable citizen, of amable department, and
supporter Of the Wing party--now or lately, cor
poration contractor After voting Mr.. Baldwin left
The room and in a short time was violently assaulted
and wounded, and injured After a severe conflict,
Mr. Baldwin was borne into the inspectors room,
wounded and bloody, his clothes in fragments, and
his face covered with blood, so much dis6gured as
scarcely 10 be recognized by his friends.
EigAth. The case OF 1900 Davies, mild, molten
siye citizen ordinarily employed in or about the pub
LEGATION or distribution of religious papers, who, on
entering the house where The polls were held, re-
ceived 4 violent blow on the side Of his face, and
who escaped by reaching the inspectors room.
The inspector saw much of what Is above de-
scribed and whatever occurred out Of their view,
which described Is proved TO their satisfaction
The inspectors have been informed that there nave
been some peculiar causes for some Of the ABOVE m
stances az violence such private differences or dis
likes but they know OF no single instance oil them
all in which any provocation wa given TO those who
were guilty Of this dreadful violence. The inspec-
tors frequently endeavorcd to discover the names OF
The persons who were guilty of these ferocious as
saus, but could not They felt that there was great
DANCER of violence toward the respectable and we'll
disposed citizens The undersigned would have
hestated 10 enter the room TO vote, had they been
mere voters like other citizens, while these scenes
were going forward.
The undersigned submit to the Mayor me slate
ments above made that measures may be taken 10
secure the people OF this ward on the remaining day