The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-04
FRAUDS IN THE SAILORS
VOTES.
Ballot-Box Stufing on the
Mississippi.
coPPERHEADIsM ASHORE
AND AFLoAT.

The following letter was forwarded TO the
Secretary Of the Navy by Fleet Captain A. NJ
Pennocki temporarily commanding the Missis-
fppi Squadron. The Navy Department some
time since issued instructions to the commanders
Of oil squadrons to afford every facility to the
Rgents OF States, appointed by competent au-
htrty, TO secure a fair vote.
The New York World with characteristic men
dacityi asserts that Secretary WClles has sent "a
three masted revenue steamer to take the Pres-
Dental votes of the seamen nc Hilton Head, Key
West, and In the Cult" and also that the Com
missioner sent on board refused TO take McClel-
IAN votes. Now, Secretary Welles has no more
control Of the revenue steamers than he has of
the United States Supreme Court. He has not
sent revenue steamer or any other steamer upon
such a commission.
The truth is, that the World is only crying
"stop thief! y over such frauds rs are exposed in
the suhjoined letter, sent by Captain Penuock
The COpperhcads send ont commissioners to take
only Mcclellan votes, and If possible, TO trans
mute Union votes into copper aud then attempt
TO cover up their rascalty With such lies as that
in the World of Yesterday.
UNITED STATES IRoN-CLAD ESSEX, MEWrurs,
Tenn, October 22.- Captain A. NJ. PennocS
United States Navy Commanl;ng Nississinni
Squadron.-Sir On the 18th instant arrived by
the naval supply steamer Noic National a Mr.
Mlchael hckeOn accompanied by his clerk a
Mr.. Hugh #. Mcighan. Mr. KeOn announced
himself TO me as u Commissioner, appointed by
the Governor Of the State Of New York to diJ-
tribute the blank forms requisite to enable sol.
diers and sailors who are qualified electors Of
Ihat state 10 vote at the approaching general
election. In support of this statement, he eX-
hiblted to me the commission of Governor Sew
mour TO that effect also an order from Lieutenant
Commander Greer, by your authority, directing
all commanding officers Of vessels in the MisJ,-
sppi Squadron to afford u him as commissioner
every facility in the execution of his Office.
In reply 10 my inquiries Mr.. McKeon stated
that he had with him only the blank forms printad
hlt fbn lpnff. k.II
parties were aboard the flag ship, expected here
within few hours. l told Mr.. McKeon that
every opportunity would be afforded to the officers
and crew of my division 10 exercise freely and
fully the elective franchise. The Commissioner
soon after left the ship, promising to return
shortly. That same evening you arrived here in
the Btack Ha'ok. Atterpaying gmy respects, made
inquiry OF you in regard 10 the election ballots
You informed me that the bag purporting to
contain them was opened in your presence bit
that no ballots were to be fOuud-the contents
consisting solely of the blank forms intended to
accompany the ballots. next saw Mr.. McKe0n
on the afternoon of the following day when /
returned on board the ESSer, after acc m panying
you in your official visit to the commanding gen-
eral and TO the defenses of Memphis. He aud his
clerk were, or rather had been, engaged in filling
in the blank forms for some of my men, He
had asked my executive officer 10 administer the
requisite oahs, assuring the latter that it was call
Tisht"
could only exchange a word or two with Mr.
McKeOn, as l desired, IN accordance with your
instructions, TO place the MiicIutec, as soon as
possible, in position where she could eniillde
the rayine below Fort Pickering. Bat before
left the ESSEX, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Par
ker informed me that McKeon only brought be.
fore him those of my men who were willing to
vote for Mcclellan; and to those men he distri-
buted Mcclellan ballots, leaving the ship as soon
as he had attended to those OF his own party.
saw that the Commissioner was using his pnb-
lie Office for shabby GleCt0neeriug purposes. /
afterwards discovered that he had pursued
exactly the same course-securng only the
Mcclellan votes aboard tue other gunbolts
lying here. reported the circumstances to you.
DeshOus 10 defeat such unworthy partisan
schemes, and to secure q free and impartial eXer-
cse of the elective franchise % the officers aud
men Of the Mississippi uadron, yOu requested
me to procure correct lists of the Presidential
Electors nominated by each one Of the great
political parties in the Sate Of Now York in order
that you might have copies struck Oft by the alg.
ship printing press forthe use Of those under your
command.
The New York city newspapers supplied lists
of the Presidential Electors and Of the Gu5ernl-
torial candidates of both parties, and from these
have been carefully printed, aud BY your order
forwarded TO each vessel Of the squadron in equal
propot ton, the ballots Of each of the great p0liL-
cal organizations, &c. sc.
(Signed) II. TOWNSEND,
Commander U. 5. N,
Commanding 7th District, Miss. Squadron.
UashhagtoR Republican, Nor. 8.