The New York herald., 1871-11-12

election They In secret session for the reason
that witnesses will not testify II the sessions OF the
committee are open to the pubic. Many Of the
witnesses were very timid ana feared that their
appearance before the committee would be-
nftcen persons examined yesterday, whose evi-
dencc 1t Is underSt OOd showed uumistakable fraud.
8 number Of inspectors, and there has been cvi.
dence adduced against many others, but not
anG Tne evidences Of repeating Is srea Ta snS
In many disricts II has been shown that the sub
:t,tutng Of oallosa was prsetlssa TO large extent.
selves before the committee and Is expected that
when the committee make their report the enorm ty
OF the frauds will be shown to be greater than has
yet been dreamed Of The report win be made
early this week.
What the Freshest Of the Police Board Has
co Say.
A representative OF the HERALD waited upon
Police Commissioner Daniel d. Briggs President Of
: the Board. yesterday afternoon at Headquarters,
corner OF Court and Livingston streets. The gentle
manly and courteous 0flcial received the writer
with his accustomed politeness, and upon being In.
formed OF the object OF the visitor expressed his
readiness to answer any question desired or him.
'.Mr. Briggs, 1t has been publicly charged that the
police force at many Of the polling places Of Brook
lyn ON last Tuesday unjusty nterfered with electors
instead OF attending to their duty, and some officers
went to even greater extremes. What were the In
structions given the police as to their duty on cleo
ton day ~ .e.4 81
''Tney were ordered to preserve the peace about
the polls to protect legal and to arrest lle
gal voters. They were also instructed to see to 1t
that opportunity be furnished for all parties to
witness the canvassng OF the votes who
desired to do SO, after the closing Of the polls.
An police oficers who have differed IN their
action from the line Of conduct laid down for
nv m Roor Of oinyo
not only violated our ORDERS but also the rules OF
the Department.. We have invited citizens, through
the medium OF the press, who may be cognizant Of
any breach OF the law and duty on the part Of police
oncers to come forward and prefer charges against
the dellnquents We will try the offenders and
punish them accordingly."
"What is the punishment contemplated to be
meted out to police Offenders II found guiltys"
SIT Will be fine or dismissal according to the
nature OF the offence. II we ind that any member
OF the force has been interfering with voters, In
stead Of attending his duty, win act with de-
termination and promputude. Since the organiza-
tion OF the Brooklyn Police Board we have en-
0eavored 10 bring our department mp to the highest
standard and perfect the strictest possible discipline
, throughout; and this course we shall continue to
heretofore from the citizens Of Brooklyn for the
discipline end conduct OF the force, and were,
therefore surprised Of the offence given 6y several
determined to discountenance anvthing tnat might
give the slightest color 10 the assertion that the
Police Department II q political machine. Why, ae
an evidence Of the truth and sincerity OF this TACT
have but call your attention 10 the dismissal OF
sergeant Kanel the 2Uth september last, because
ne was an Inspector Of Elections and refused to re-
sign That ONCE Every man ls fully entitled 10 exer-
cise the elective franchise ~ his principles may
Ssdictate, but ne must not bring those views into
exercise IN his capacity as ponce Oficer.n
"Have any definite charges been received 0y the
Board up TO the present az galnst policemenW
eyes; TWO complaints have been received In duo
form. One of the latter Ia from Mr.. John g.. Folk,
ex-Inspector OF Police, against patrolnan FOR IN
tererlng with voters and acting In manner unDe-
coming an onicer at the polls on Tuesday last lie
Will be tried for the offence on wednesday next
The other case Is similar IN character, and Will be
duty attended 10, assure you."
Talk with Chief Campbell.
Leaving the Commissioner, the writer sought the
CAisf OF Police, ME- Campbell. VINO Ia equally
courteous and desrous to give any information
within Ms power. "was there any colusion. Cnief,
within your knowledge, between the police on cleo
ucn day ana the leaders OF the partyf'
"kone wnatever; on the contrary. the police can
tans Of each precinct were instructed to protect all
persons acting ~ chalengers In the proper dis
charge OF their duty ana the police on duty Al the
polling places were ordered to allow citizens TO be
present at the cAnvassing Of the votca But under
20 circumstances were they TO Interfere win she
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