The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-30
AFTER THE CAMPAIGN.
The Camden New Jersey
Election Riots.
Special session Of the United States Districa
Court at Trenton-Judge Nixons Charge
to the Grand Jury-Brutal Treat
Inent Of Colored Witness

In the United States District Court, at Trenton N.
j. yesterday, the Grand Jury were summoned for
the purpose OF investigating the violations OF tho
election laws at the late elections. Judge Nixon In
charging the Grand Jury, SAID that the act OF Juno
o. ls4d makes II the duty Of the District Court OF the
United states to summon and empanel Grand Jury
whenever, In the judgmen. the Court 1t proper
that an inquiry shah be had into any alleged VIOLA
ton OF the laws OF the national government within
the State OF New Jersey The District Attorney had
advised hin OF the
VIOLATION OF TWO LAWS @ aa.
passed by the late Congress- II was to these vio.
iatons ne would direct the special attention or the
| Grand Jury.
Congress found its authority for their enactment
IN the fourth section OF the first article Of the Con-
stituti0n OF the United States. which provides that
"the times. places and manner OF holding elecuons
for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed
in each State by the Legislature thereof but the
Congress may at any time by law make or alter such
regulations, except to Inc place or choosing Sen.
ators.n
After pointing out the evils when called for the
passage Of these laws and explaining infinitely the
terms OF tho statutes with the penalties aixcd tho
Judge summed up in the following words:-Iho
evils which this legislation was intended TO reach
and care are manifold and prevalent For
years past the men OF all parties
frauds IN naturalization. in registry and at
the ballot box. do not say and do not believe
that these frauds are committed by any one political
party, but they are the work Of the corrupt men or
aFparties, and their suppression viii require tho
cordial cooperation OF the good men OF all. These
eviis, fear, are growing IN our midst, aud courts
ton Of such onencss anu in fhe punishment Of
known onenders they WIZ continue to abound and
multiply and grow Until they
POISON ALL THE SPRINGS
OF our national life, and render boosted liberties
notoriey that at one OF the election precincts 81 the
county OF Camden, on the day OF the last election
bloodshed WAS enacted more aggravated In lis
character than, perhaps, has ever before taken
place within the jurisdiction OF this court Men, In
The peaceabe exercise Of the dearest rights o. free
men, were
FORcBLY DRIVEN FROM THE POLLS;
their lives greatly mperilled not lost and their
bodies bruised and mutilated with deadly weapons.
The ballot box, In which hundreds OF votes had
been deposited, was taken from the hands Of the
officers OF the law thrown into the street, broken In
pieces and thesbalots scattered to the winds u WAS
to protect the honest citizens OF all parties alike
against such fraud and violence that the act Of May
The Judge concluded with few observations on
the important ana responsible position which the
Grand Jury occupied alter which that body retired
nesses are fifteen or sixteen colored men belonging
to Camden. One OF them, Lorenzo Wilson, IL VIII
SHOT AND SEVERELY WOUNDED
on election day. He s scarcely able 10 move about
ana Notwithstanding his feeble condition desperate
and most unwarrantabe assault was made on him
on Monday ny Constable SOudcrs, who s under heavy
bail to appear Tor trial rlngeatter in the election
riot. IL appears that numerous threats nave been
made against Wilson TO deter him from appearing
as witness on the trials While he was walking,
IN company with his wife. through one Of the
suburbs OF Camden on Monday the constable al
lusied to laid hold OF him, stating that he
had warrant for his arrest the charge
OF assault and battery. On the way to tho
magistrates office the constable stumbled, where
| upon he charged Wilson with pushing him. lie
4 then fell upon him anl beat him merctlessy with
| his "bIlly,n after which he
| DRAGGED HIN BLEEDING
and almost exhausted before Justice and preferred
! charge OF assault and battery against him. VIII
son was locked up, but was soon after released on
bail The fact that he Is the principal witness
agains. the constable Is set down rs the cause Of
This persecution. Wilson states further that this
model ofilcer threatened 10 dispose of MIN before
the court wonld meet again.