The New York herald., 1870-02-16
A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ROW.

Political P0kfina in tho sixfccmth Ward-Pfs.
tolls, Umbrellas, Fists uud Abusive Lam
guagc.
It Is almost Impossible for tho Gardncr-Spencer
factions Of tnc republican party OF the Sixteenth
ward 70 come together for business purposes but 0
dsrraccfui scene occurs, generally terminating In
one side or tho other, which happens for the time
being TO be the most powerful in point OF numbers
ana roughs, forcing the other side TO silence.
Several OF tho me6cs induI9ed in by these factions
have been fully ventilated IN the HERALD but with
out any apparent benefit, as they no sooner assem-
bic than some one is bound to odd fuel to the flames
ana the contestants saM In" regardless Of life or
limb, from the highest to the lowest
On Monday night o meeting Of the Executive
COmmittce was called to be held ct Tenn
perance Hall, corner OF Eighteenth street Eighth
avenue, for the parpose OF electing officers for the
ensuing year. Things for time passed OH as
'merry as q marriage bell" until notorious
rough stepped uD to deposit nis ballot when q
person in tine audience cried
"You have no rlght to vote here, you son OF --.'
The voter conteaded he had. when the two fac
tons took opposite optnI0ns-the Spencer faction
under the leadership OF Michael g. Clyne, OF l27
West Twenty ty-1fth street. claiming the vote was
legal; while The Gardner faction under the leader.
ship or Samuel L. Tsppen,'of 328 West twentieth
street, contended the voter was q repeater" aud
not entted 10 sne privileges OF the elective franchise
ia the ward.
Alter indulging in 'chin muslc'' for some time
OF the Spencer faction planted his fist plump iu
the mouth OF a member Of the Gardner party, whicn
sent hni reeiIng 10 the floor. desperate scene
was now presented. both parties using inear UNI
brclas striking right and lelt, gouslng, punching
aud using them to the best advantage. While the
melee was at Its heights some person in the crowd
Hrcd revolver, which so frightened boGh factl0as
that hasty retreat was made Tor tne stairway, the
floor Of the hali Deng covered with hats Of all de-
Wnen.tDey had reached the pavement Cyne placed
his hand 10 nls right Lenpie aud feeling the blood
lrcklng down his cheek exclaimed ne nad been
snoI, and charged that Tappcn had done It, The
latter was arrested by an officer OF the Sixteenth
precinct ana conveyed TO the station house, wnere
he was detained until yesterday morning. when he
conveyed before Justice Cox at Jefferson Market
ana an informal examination had.
About leo poliucians Of all grades, residents OF
the ward, VINO had witnessed inc ARRAY. appeared
anu gave their testimony. Cyne's witnesses testify
aE taat lappe sane np an darng n tne meiee ana
back not, however, hitting BIS opponent. Talpen
then ran from the room, and, entering by sidc
seeing the prisoner draw ms weapon point 1t at ms
head, saw flash and smoke. and immediately 1e,C
the Dl Od trcxlng down his face,
Tappen's Witnesses testified tnat he did not fire
the revolver ut Llye tnaL the aLter started the
anu had Den struck on the temple by one Of The
many umbrenas that were nying prO.niscuousiy
H0Or, bctnH jamincd with umbrellas wnic others
stood up anu TOOK 1t manfuy; that ClyLe was bleed
ing some time before the snot was fired. Alter
nearing the testimony or both EdcS Juslce
COX stated that tile primary elections III the Six
teentn waru Tor q long llnc mad been disgraceful
affairs. ana IN order " put check to 1t he would
require the prisoner to furnish bonds III the sum oI
5000 " Keep the peace which were giveu by
Joseph Mcfarland, ana the prisoner lett the court
room amid the congratulations Oi MS friends.
On the person vi Tappen Was .Ouhd small Ave.
barrelied revolver, having two OF the chambers dis
Charged Ilyne'S W0uada are not OF very serious
character, the skin Oh his temple being Slightly
scratched,