New-York tribune., 1869-01-05
JUDGE LAWRENCE'S COMMITTEE or INVES-
IIGATI0N.

NEw-YORK ELECTION FRAUDs-THE DUTY OF
CONGRESS.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: The investigation of the recent election
frauds in New York Is matter OF more importance to
the phoe country than is. perhaps generally supposed
Presidential election is presumed to interest almost
every in every State Yet the result may depend
the majority In NewYok State and this may be de-
cded By vote of the city, which, again. may turn upon
illegal rotin0 Now II Presidential contest is worth
the energies Of all the people every which Will
legal and honest result should be speedily and
firmly secured. Tie people, outraged and wronged by
stupendous frauds in single great city, may not always
be disposed to submit, and IL Con-
gresslonal legislation which will preserve tho purity Of
the ballot and the freedom OF its exercise much needed
IN the great and In the sou all pretext for
luton on this may be thus removed.
The honor and the interest Of EewYork are involved
in preserving the purity Of the ballot II terrorism and
fraud shall control elect.ons the bad element which
compshes 10 viii have It's reward from the Taxpayers in
the shape OF Offices patronage and pndcr and life and
property in such hands Will be insecure. Mob violence
may last be the order Of the day. for when the wicked
rule the people mourn"
The intelligent and orderovng people Of the country,
who now by their patronage contribute much to make
NewYork the money center" aud the Commercial me
tropols," may be induced bestow that patronage on
other Cities where political moralltymay give promise of
better moral atmosphere In that aud other respects
YORK. the example will become contagious II al
ready done 10 limited extent Ohio and elsewhere,
tie basis of suffrage. will TO repre,et the public
senuuent IL fraua may control Presidential election
and tlua shape our national legislation aud policy ~
And it should he remembered that Systematic eec.
party they may be pTacuecd by Others, until elections
Now that the elections Of 1868 over, t s emneny
proper that Congress should cs tolc hare e.
League of -Yort
EeInoralized Congress alleging frauds OF stupendous
The allegations that In the city more roles
than there bona de resident voters that
this was accomplished by "rcpcaters" voting on as-
suned names, the of real persons who I'D
not attend the polls that OF those voting their own
proper names there were thousands who were aliens,
holding certificates Of naturalization Illegally issued or
frauduelty procured, while others. armed with cer-
that al these frauds perpetrated by acting in
the interest OF the Democratic party and under the
Dcmocrac officials whose duty Il prevent these
fands dd not do CO. but Instead encouraged aud aided
that they gave the electoral Of the State TO seymour
and the Democratic candidate for Governor contrary
the expressed VIII OF majority OF tile legal voters
II these allegations are true they more than justify the
Loyal eagne IN denladng and Congress In ordering the
investigation II ~ remarkable fact that 10 one OF tho
Democratic leaders has asked an investigation had the
esicns IN Congress ana IN the press have taken
row range. They make naturalization frauds the chief
eannor be perperaed by voters alone. They can only
succeed when eonhlNed Mt or encouraged by election Of
becrs gmy of negligence, criminal purpose or over
aWed by tcrrosin Or violence IL may be proper there
frauds ''' '"''' s's"''''0
TO avoid the importing Of votes from one State to an.
other, Ak far rs pagicae voters imported into
indiana from Kentucky ~ the last election for Repre-
hh'ntvrs IN Congress the election for these officers
Congress provide for bl just Tire law requires the
PfenlaI election To be on the same day in all the
States.
The subject Of annnng 10y sional action or nv
Judicial p'Vtess or both. the fraudulent aud illegal