American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-02-17

Hl'n requiring lnc'l W itP"It Iil' HdhI' VI
each and every superintendent Of the Aims
House who has allowed male paupcrs to 90 oHt
of the establishment to vote on election DAYS
and who, to secure the votes for tho party o.
his choice has furnished such paupcrs with extra
provisions and clothing, and granted to them
particular privileges not ordinarily allowed, and
that they also report all such facts within their
knowledge to prove the charge as above stated,
made by them in Il communication to this board,
dated Dec. cath, 1874" have submitted a state
n2at which contains some extraordinary facts
exhibiting the most infamous conduct on the
part Of former superintendent OF that institu-
ton, and the grossest frauds at the elections in
that city. After reading their statement no
man Of honest sentiments, can withhold his
condemnation Of such outrageous proceedings
as it disclosos proceedings which equally dis
grace both Of the old parties. We submit a
portion Of the report that our readers may see
that we have not exaggerated the infdmy of the
acts mentioned. 1t is as follows:
"Thc commissioners, on the receipt of the
IL
Bellevue, and there examined considerable
number of the inmates under oath. They call
cd upon those who had been long time in the
establishment, and who, from their previous
connection with the mechanical or other branch
es of business carried on in the house or from
their former position in life, were qualified by
experience and education to give accurate in
formation as to the subjects OF inquiry. Copies
of their atiidaVIts are annexed, and they show
state of things previously existing, which, in
the opinion OF the commissioners, can find apo
logists only in those who make trade OF poll
tics, and whose conscienCes have become scared
under the frequent repetition of fraud and false
hood. The information Of the practices OF last
year is the more definite rs the period is the
more recent. In most Of the cases the eXami-
nation extends over the past three years, en-
bracng one year of Wing and two Of Demo-
cratic rule. 1t will be seen that the proceed
ings at and before elections have been uniform
" rcprchcnsible. For ten DAYS or ii fortnight
previous TO an election, the paupcrs were put
in training. Extra food and clothing were fur
nishcd them, and in some cases party papers
supplied without charge.
The tai!or'S shop was put in requistion-
new clothes were made, the store room of the
Hospital was ransacked, and the clothes of
those who had died, there brought to lirht
that the AlrHS House voters might thus in
some measures be disguised, and that the ciLj-
Zens might not be shocked at the sigitt of hun
dredS OF its inmates advancing to the polls
clad in the grey uniform of the establishment
The morning of the election was 4 busy time
at the Aims H0use-oticers hurrynu to and
fro, gathering together the inmates of the es-
Enlistment, clad in their new dresses, distribu-
ting to them tickets to vote and tickets for
grog; putting into their hands pieces of silver
coin, that they might solacc themselves after
the arduous labor of depositIng their ballots,
and also giving good advice as to their conduct
at the polls, and promising in case of success.
immuntics and privileges for the ensuing year.
Then they were carried to the polls in stages,
with an officer on the step, to see that no
man was deprived of the exercise of the right
of suffrage, but TO see that none of the troops
made their escape until they had deposited their
ballots placed in their hands before leaving
The kind and watchtul care was at an end
when this was done. Many of these men re-
turned to the Aims House drunk, with torn
clothes, and in many instances having pawned
or exchanged the garments which had been fur
nshed to them in the morning. On the next
day they were again permitted to leave the es-
adjustment for the purpose Of obtaining intox-
icating liquors. AS a necessary consequence,
labor for the day was at an end; the discipline
Of the establishment was observation-disclosures
ton protracted and defeated by the renewal of
old and vicious habits; the public property
wasted and the foundation laid for increased
drafts upon the city treasury
1t would seem also that the officers of the
establishment, especially during the last year,
must have limited the inmates of the Aims
House, or placed them to labor for their espe-
cial benefit and emolument. Mahogany bu-
rcaus, tables chairs Howcr-boxus, coats, shoes
garments Of all kinds, and various articles of
household furniture appear to have been ex-
tcnsively mauatactured-an yet though we
have caused an examination Of the books of
the establishment to be made, we are unable
to find any charges against the officers or any
credits Of money paid for these services, or for
any materials out Of which they were manu-
iactured An examination of the accompany
ING atldavits will show that other abuses exist
ed of an equally aggravated character. The
names Of the Superintendent, under whose
management the paupers were prepared for
election days, will also appear in the alldavts
The Commissioners would ask careful peru
sal of them, and they think the Board will
agree with them that economy, justice and hu-
mainly call loudly for reformation in the de-
partment committed to their charge.
All these abuses the commissioners have en-
deavored to correct, and, in conclusion, they
would observe that if the Board, or any mem
Dor Of it, shall at any time desire any other or
further information in regard to the past or
present condition OF the establishment under
their charge, such information will be readily
and cheerfully offered.
JAS. VAN NOSTRAND,
W. J. RONCE,
C. w. HOUGHTON,
G.. w. SAVAGE,
Commissioners.
CHESAPEAKE AND Ono CANAL BILL. 1t will