The New York herald., 1870-04-15
THE JERSEY CITY ELECTION.

The Returns mt Lnst sent In-The Entire
Democratic Ticket Elected-lsore AbOut tho
Frnuds-C0unting In More Effective than
Counting Out.
Only yesterday at noon was the result OF Tuesdays
election in Jersey City made pubic-just Iorty -one
hours after the closing OF the polls. No such
thing was never known before In Jersey City or the
cities on the hill, and whatever may have been the
cause OF the delay people say there was an object
It, and all the circumstances In the furnish
good grounds for this opinion. The returns fur
nished up TO Wednesday night showed majorites
against two Of the leading candidates on the
democratic ticket the return Of whom was consid-
cred almost Indispensable, not to the party but to
the individuals themselves. who are not yet quite
prepared for political death. Something must be
done to save them so the rumor goes; yet their de-
feat was considered certain that betting
was made against them yesterday morning,
and the case was regarded as settled den-
nitely. few hours afterwards the judges who
had been tardy sent IN their returns, and sweep
turned the other way, and to the astonishment OF
nine men out OF ten the entire democratic ticket
noMer IL 70 s ss couns was wsc
was entirely new to Jerseymen. How It was
done ls even now understood by many without
the aid OF any investigation AT all future
elections the success OF any party which has friendly
judges at the pols7can be insured BY the 'holding
back" process. II the returns elsewhere show de-
hciency the 'counting in" process Will settle the
matter. II is attended with very little risk, which
makes 1t preferable TO the BROOKLYN method
counting out. Not all honest impartial man can be
found In Jersey City who will not say that this cleo
ton was mere farce and that political tIicksters
whom the people had fairly rejected were unfairly
f0isted upon them
It is but just to state in reference to Mr.. John
Brennan, who counted the votes In the Fifth ward
while the Judges were asleep, that no more honor
able or upright man can be found in Jersey City.
He declined the responsibility till called upon by
Alderman Sweeny. The precedent, however, is q
dangerous one. II the judges become Intoxicated
or fall asleep and irresponsible, unsworn parties can
assume their positions where is the security In the
balloti 1t be proved by affidavit that In one In
stance the clerk OF election was offered large sum
TO '1dx'' the ballots, but he sDurned the bflbe.
1t should also be stated that the Chief OF Police
and his of1cers performed their duty most credIta-
bly,, and the failure 70 have the transgressors OF the
law committed for trial is not their fault. In tile
repeater such pressure was brought TO bear upon
tnat officer by the agents OF prominent demo-
cratic candidate who was In the race for
Police Commissioner that Stratf0rd was left the
alternative OF Withdrawing the charge or mourning
the wrath OF men who could eventually deprive him
OF his position. lie Is most efficient oficer, ana
indeed the same may be said or the entire police
force with few exceptions
Mir. Frances Mcdonald, who was the independent
candidate the First ward OF Hudson City Chosen
Freeholder declares that ne elected over John H.
yassers held back their returns TO the last moment
and then counted him out. When he stood by to
watch the counting the judges ordered him away.
The vote was finally anuounced-McDOnald, 263:
Pat 352 An investigation Is called for as there IL
little doubt that Mcdonald was fairly elected.