The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-11-13
s,upcn.lous Election Frauds !


Our exchange papers from the east come to
hand this week, burdened with testimony ELECTED
by q legal investigation now going on i'll New
York City, developing the most stupcndous cleo
ton frauds committed by the wing leaders of New
York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. The discle-
sures there made, show regular and magnificent
system of fraudulent voting, which has been in
practise for the last two years and far outstrips
any thing of the kind ever heard Of in this coun-
try. They lay open, too, some very singular facts
connected with elections in New York, Phiadel-
pha, and other places, and account for their I'M
expected results, which have hitherto been entire
ly incxplicablc to the shrcwdest politicians
We have no. the room to pu'ish the testimony
which has beca taken, but shall endcavor to give,
in as condensed form as possible, the leading
facts connected with the affair.
From the testimony it appears that, in October
1888, J. B. Glentworth, tobacco Inspector OF New
York at the instance of X. NJ. Blotchford, S. ORA
per, Jas. Bowen, r. c. Wetmorc, and Moses II.
Grinnell, all leading wings went on to Phadel-
putu W ciiSd5c HcIl w SciiS VII W ave" io'h ~
the election. From the testimony of Stevenson,
one of Glentworth's assistants, these men were to
be brought on to vote but Mr. Blotchford says
the intention was to bring them on to prevent
democrats of Philadelphia from voting in New
York. But, be this as it may, Glentworth, while
at Philadelphia was making arrangements to get
men to come on to New York 10 rote, when he re-
ceivcd letter from Bowen, containing from $500
to $500 dollars, requesting him to stop all further
proceedings and with directions to compensate
the men and leaders, and hush up the matter.
Mr.. Blotchford says that this was done because
Glentworth had gone beyond his instructions in
getting men who were to vote instead of getting
them to watch the polls; but Stevenson says
it was because they run out Of funds, and this
appears, from The subsequent movements Of Client
worth, to have been the true reason for he imme-
diately returned to New York, had an interview
wiT bis friends, told them that an attempt to STOP
lhe a sair would lead to full exposure, and wa;
next Jay again sent to Philadelphia with abou
s. 900. He then completed his arrangements
with High Constable Young, Mayor Swift, ant
Robert Miller, Captain of the Watch, who on.
gagged to send to New York number Of voters
of whose names they furnished lists, at $50 pei
head.
Mayor Swift in his affidavit says that he knew
nothing Of the intention of Glentworth to take the
men to New York to vote, but assisted him in get
ing them with the understanding that they were to
watch the democrats number Of whom he says
Glentworth told him were going there to vote
Hight Constable Young admits that he knew
what Glcntworth's intentions were, but says he
told them, when they left they should not vote
and that they promised they would not.
II Is admitted on all hands that about 80 men
went on from Philadelphia to New York, and thu,
many, II not all voted. Two witnesses testify
clothes, 30 that they could vote in different wards
without being known; one man says he voted in
10 wards, others that they voted once, twice, &c
and many that they did not vote at all.
At the spring elections Of 1880 the same game
was played over, and this fall Mr.. Stevenson wen,
on to Philadelphia, effected similar arrangements
with the same men, and was furnished with listi
Of men again to be had-all a, the old price!
Itappears, also, from this evidence, that mum
Der Of men were brought from New York to Phi
ladelphia Ia 1888, and voted against Ingersoll il
the third district, which may account for Nayor'
tremendous majority in the Northern Liberties
and Iugersolrs unexpected defeat
There are many other importan, facts connect
with this afiair-many conspicuous wings, anon,
whom Gov. Seward is not the least, arc seriousl,
implicated-and frauds in other sections hav
been discovered ;--thesc we shall take occasion Il
speak Of hereafter