New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-10-21

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TO THE POLICE COnMIssIONERs.
The Board of Supervisors, consisting OF hall
Republicans aud half Democrats, was originally
created 10 secure fair play to the minority in all
matters affecting our political machinery. How
the Constitution was strained to create its alto
rether anomalous system of election by the
minoriiy--for To that it amounts-we need not
now stop 10 critici-c. 1t exists; and at the time
of is creation the gross corruption, and unfair
ness practiccd by the Democratic majority gave
some color of excuse Tor the high-handed legis-
Iation which gave vitality to it, construction.
By giving the minority equal representation
with the majority, it was hoped that we might
secure fair play; and that, to some extent thi'
hone hos been realized, We are now in no -piii'
to deny.
But it has happened TO the Board Of Super-
yi.ors. a. happens to nearly every other poliii-
cal organization Of long continuance, that a
spri, Of close corpoTation!sm' has been de-
vcloped among is members; and the Repub-
lican mocty Of the Board Is not un"hhns to
strike a bargain with the Democratic moieiy
for aid in the task of self-perpetuatidn. Ar a
par, of this bargain. they recognize only the
regular machines" Of rammany and the r.
publican organization; aud they appoint IN
each Election District only such Canyassors,
Registers and Inspectors Of Election a. are agreed
upon in the General Committees, or rather oy
the managing wire-pullers Of these apparently
rival. but really cooperating ORGANIZATIONS.
As the inevitable result OF this system We
know that vast ffanis have been orycarly oc-
crirffenos in 'hs election rcturn- Of various
Wards and Districts Of our city. 1t will De
enough to cite the Mulberry or "Deaa Rabbit "
district Of the Sixth Ward, which has for years
given a Democratic majority twice or three
times greater than the whole number Of legal
voters within its ,mi.a. The z.uie observation
applies to the whole Sixth Ward, which has
never failed To hold back its returns until a
good guess could be made at what majority
would be necessary 10 secure the success OF the
nominees in favor with the Democratic leaders.
Thi. majority has then been given, and the re-
marks made about the Sixth are applicable.
though. perhaps, in a less fragrant degree, TO
nearly every other Ward on Manhattan Island.
Ii the Republican msch!ne-managers could not
elect their Town man." then the Tammany
" machinc.man was their next choice. There
were igaterual relations between the two organ.
,a,ions, and whocvef was x, Of the right
s,npc' on either one side or the other isred Ill
when il came 20 reading the re,urns-h6 Wet'er
how tho people may have voted.
For this corruption, or possible corruption, Of
the ballot.bo1, some Sigh, power of check has
been placed in the hands of the Police Commi.-
sioner4, who have the appointment Of Poll
Clerk in each election district whose duty 1t Is
70 stand 4 tbs ballot-boI and take down the
nanle ard residence Of each voter. Ii these
clerks, therefore, were honest men, standing
apart from both the political organizations which
appoint the Canyassers, Registers and Inspect
ors. We might have some chance for fair play 10
u candidate running against both machines. Al
least. more votes could not be returned than
there were men who voted, though II Is tine
tNN tie returns might still be hocu ed Is
a. iour The votes were cast That tins u done 10
arcai extent, IL most lamontably certain; anditi
therefore the special and paramount duty Of the
Police Commississioncrs 90 provide the only
guaranty in their power for the purity Of the
franchise. Let them place thoroughly honest
and independent men ~ Poll.ClUks IN every
district. ard We have good reason to believe
that the Democratic majoriti,s IN such wards as
the Sixth will be reduced more than onc-hall.
We have heard with regret, but are still I'M
willing To believe, that Messrs. Acton, Bergen,
and Kennedy take different view Of their du-
ties, and hold themselves bound only 10 appoint
as Polio such mon az shall be recon-
mendcd 10 them by the Tammany and Machine
Republican, leaders. In other words, the whole
object of having Poll Clerks in defeated by their
action; aud instead of having these officers as "a
check upon false returns, If any such were AT
tempted. they are made TO omanate from the
same political mill out OF which came the Off
Gers they are presumed to be a check upon
Can anything be more m0nstrous or absurd
than thisi Could any Police Commissioners
appointed by Gov. Seymour more thoroughly
obey tho partisan bchests Of political oil
garchy We trust that Mr.. Acton in particu-
lar will give this matter his attention. we
speak in the interest of the honest voters oil inc
Sixth and all other Wards, who arc now I"
great degree substantially deprived OF the reh'