Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-12-04
The way lOcofOcoism achieves victories.

The way IOcOfocoism achieves victories.
We always respect fair opponent, and never |
whine nor grumblc when we are beaten, in
fair and open contest, with honorable weapons.
1t is precisely because we were swndcd out of
the Victory that was honestly ours in 1914, that
,ce should like to try the issue again with pre-
cisely the same principal candidates, HcmV Clay,
against James Il. Pob We would be glad to
know it, if Iocofocoism could succeed agan BY
the same system of warfare then adopted. I'll
they could we don't say we wouH" give it up
but we do say that it would prove many things
to be true that we now believe are falsely urged
against popular elective governments.
But the object of this paragraph is to call the
attention of our readers to one of the various
schemes and practises by means of which Loco
fcco Office holders in new York especially, win
the political triumphs over which Tocofoco papers
in the Country split their threats with shouts
and huzzas. II shows what sort of Company
these Office holders arc willing to keep on cleo
tion-day, and to what sort of influence they
are willing to be indebted, for their offices. We
will only say that the men who were engaged in
the piece of vainy exposed below were un-
+; doubleday filter candidates for the penitentiary
than for the offices to which they were elected.
The Grand Jury for the City of New York,
having had their attention called to the alleged
o fact that large numbers of convicted lclons had
, been released from prison by Locoloco officers
, the evening previous to the late election. and
= brought into that city for the purpose of voting,
instituted very rigid examination ofthe matter,
and the following extracts from their Present
mcnt exhibit the results to which they arrived
If Let all good citizens ponder upon the facts set
forth
The result of these examinations is, that at about
the period OF the election, prisoners whose term OF
sentence had not expired have heretofore been ia
ken from the Island Tor the purpose OF voting The
r Grand Jury has been satisfied that at the last spring
e election prisoners were permitted 10 leave the Island
previous to the expiration OF their term Of service
IL and were landed the evening previous from
lr sci which had left the Island that day. The
Grand Jury is also satisfied that they Were brought
c down to this city for the purpose of voting.
:. They are satisfied that ot the officers in the
employment OF the corporation and the city rccciv
le ing compensation from the public treasury, plan neo
of and executed this attempt 70 use gangs OF iclons to
poute the ballot boxes. The Grand Inquest have
Il come to this conclusion.
I'd That there are persons now employed by the Cor
porntion, who aided and abetted in the escape .
If the state.
Vi The testimony produced before them, that some
the officers employed on Black wells Island made ar
re rangements to throw into the Sth and Nth Wards
this city number OF convicts for the purpose OF
Oh ting The testimony shows that the prisoners, OF
i, the ID OF November, 1916 exchanged their prison
-, clothes Tor their ordinary citizens dress that the
Ill were taken across the river about dark by the keeper
in boats, placed in vehicles, brought to the city an
placed III houses for the night.
The parties for the respective wards crossed al dit
tcreIt places, and were under the guidance OF differ
. ent Keepers. The gang which was destined for op
e. eratlons in the Fourteenth Ward were taken to
INT house in Howard street, where policeman Jane
fl fnegan, OF the fourteenth Ward, assisting dl
- ring the night in contributing to their comfort They
~. were ther, supplied with liquor and other refresh
tly incnt-. About daylight the party arrested b
of Justice Merritt and AID Benson. The policeman
led rlnegan was relieved from duty on that might at til
IN and Gas, and the Grand Jury have no doubt tina
Mr. Purdy knew for what purpose Mr.. Finegan wa
H. relieved.
~ The gang of convicts when arrested, were foun
&C. with MIR Mclaughlin, one of the deputy keeper,
HE against whom indictment has been ordered Tn
nd cGnvic's destined to remain IN the Ninth Ward wer
rod laKen 10 house III that ward and, like those take
" TO house in the Nth Ward they were provided wit
III liquors and other refreshments The person in who
charge they were, lett them during the evening
m promising To return, when, after waiting as the
- supposed reasonable time, they finally passed "A res
~ oulion mat they would leave the house, which va
et carried INTO effect and the convics were aain thu
of night loose upon tins community.
, n The examination also shows that other prisonc
al iei Inc Island on that day, raft and SON
- III a boat Those who escaped on the raft were tw
ce notorious violaors OF the law, who were known /
the reputation To one OF the keepers of the prison as ii
us associates of abandoned women, of panncl ,hevc
~ who had been convicted OF robbing strangers The.
prisoners had been convicted the general sessions
Ike an assault and battery police officers staoue
before the houses OF these iclons to put persons q
~ their guard against entering therdens OF niamv an
plumber One OF these prisoners had attempted to {.
the cape heretofore.
! at These men had at the ntercesson of one of II
.rol keepers who had heard OF the infamous conduct
those Prisoners been taken from the quarries al
IL" gwen light work TO perform. Although the usu
I'M punishment OF prisoners who escape is TO place ba
mi; and cham on them when rccaptured no such punis
~ men has been inflicted them since their recaptur
what can this community think OF the Judgment, n
heir to say honesty, OF those who thus manage their pr
In, oners
L Another instance of abuse will be found of a not
' rlous pick pocket also relieved from hard labor al
'cs- placed at light work III the prison Under such
administration the prison has terrors Tor those wi
violate the laws of the land
Let the people remember that, unless the frauds
irowned down, and violations of the law, such
nave been disclosed, be punished our liberty is
ted ucmerry OF men without principle and without cha
ply sonal safety. ''''' '''' We 'o' our own pc
bv When We find the prison doors unbarred by the pll
I, NC officers whose duty 1t is TO thcm and
icon who Is doomed To punishment and the guard "
ned paid to secure him carousc together
fri; ihe very streets OF our city from which the
w. mas becn driven Tor n time punishment, We ha
ich considered the subject as one far above mere par
consideration.
Grand Jury Room, New York, Nov. 2lst, 1916.
len. HENRY ERBEN, Foreman,
,,o., JAS. DEvoE, Secretary.
Al