New-York tribune., 1869-01-14
THE ELECTION FRAUDS INVESTIGATION


TACTICS OF TIE DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF
TIE COMMITTEE.
The Congressional Committee on Election
Frauds in NewYork which has been in session in tins
city for the past four weeks reached the close
OF Its labors. vast amount of testimony has been
taken and although the mine OF Democratic rascality
has 50 to speak Just been opened still 1t believed
enough has been obtained make clear that it is the
imperative duty of Congress to take immediate
ures lrestorng the purity of elections by national
legislation.
The Committee have been aided during the progress Of
the cation by the courtesy OF L. s. Marshal Muir
ray who placed rooms the Court-H House at their dis
posal furnished them with all the facilities OF his
Office They have also had valuable assistance and adj
vice from other quarters But the disadvantages under
which they abored have the other hand been serious
There has been ull attendance OF the Committee
since the first week Of its session. and during the present
week no members OF the Committee have been present,
with the exception OF Mr. Lawrence the Chairman and
Mr. Ross The duties thus developing upon these gentle
men have been and responsible but it is stated
by impartial judges that the investigation has been con-
Quoted by Nr Lawrence and has associate with marked
fairness and impartality
At the close OF the inquiry 1t is high me however 70
10 aude to norganzed attempt which has been made by
certain Democratic officials TO break up the investigation
altogether. 10 incnmber with perured statements
as TO either nulliy or thwart honest and impartial in
early made their appearance about the precincts OF the
Commitccroom The manifest object Of the presence Of
these men twofold either to watch and follow the
witnesses regularly summoned before the Congressional
Committee in order to bully frighen them into retract
ing statements made by them 10 force themselves be-
fore the Committee volunteer witnesses. Some Of
these fellows who gained admitance were found ready
to swear to previously prepared for them by
Democratic mann gers Infamous conspiracy As an
instance Of this, Thursday last evidence had been
taken duplicating two prominent political peroonages;
but Friday morning the doors of the Committeeman
were blockaded by posse OF hues, eager to give IN
formation contradctng that which had been taken the
day previous.
To those who have carefully observed the-proceedinEs
which have taken place within the last week 1t has been
very evident the constant and secret consultations
Of certain Democratic CITY olcias-leutenants OF the
Democratic members Of the Congressional Committee
and from the tactics ana expressions Of the "outsde
party" acting under joint control and direction, that
some system existed whereby the nature OF the testimony
regularly presented to the Committee was communica
ted 10 certain parties In violation Of the obligation OF
crccy imposed by the Committee themselves, and that
the needed testimony iu contradiction accordingly
coun rbaauced order. and suitable persons procured
rs "%itncsscs so far protecting the genuine wit
nesses OF the Committee from the threats and intmda-
ton Of ruians hired to mareat, waylay or manipulate
them is concerned the sergeant-aArms of the Commit
tee has done his duty foarlessy and fathfu and with
the timely assistance Of the Police has pretty eeotuay
chec kmated the operations OF the villains IN this dlrec
ton Sheris deputies, Court officials. and street Com
missloners emssaries having been compelled by ricor
Gus exercise OF wholesome authority to abandon the pre-
clncts OF the COInmittee-room
But there no vigilance against perjury. and II We
believe the statements of those who have witnessed the
procession OF the yies of the vcst haunts Of this
city which has been brought into the Committeeman at
the instance % the Democratic side, the Committee must
long ere this be suriced 70 utter disgust That this
indeed Is the apparent from the action OF the Com
mtce Yesterday tie Republican majority OF which have
refused to continue receiving pslpable PERJURY dgnhcd
by the name Of testimony. IL Is understood therefore,
that that branch OF the Committees inquiry which opc
ealy invites this atrocous iasfyn6. viz. repeating
has been suspended
ftiseNpectod that the Committee will close It's inquiry
upun the points to-day, and that adjournment o
it, session FOR the present Will probably be soon rechcu
I'm this connection 10 may be remarked that the
abatement OF Sheriff OBIen which had been tclegraphoi
abroad from this city, thnt the gang or rougiS ana
shoulderhittcrs otherwise known ms deputy sheflhs
which ne has kept about the Railways OF the Committee
room was furnished a. the request ot the Committee II
cOntratctad the authority ot the CHAIRMAN o the
Committee Judge Lawrence. That Mr. Kerr, the leading
Democratic member of tho Committee sought the
Shcrin's asssiau. I'm the intimidation ~ Witnesses Is
very proplblr r.t Mr. Kerr is not exactly the Com
mtce altnOu-h ue has attempted to take entire eh'sS
OF II several lccaslons