The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-19
ROSA AND THE boss.


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Argument Before The SENATE Committee ON
Privileges and EIcctiOrs-A Commission to
lie sent 20 New York 10 Take Evidence
Tweed sum Before tho mmittee.
ODOnOvan Rosa, thinking that things were
working too slowly for his disposition, determined
TO do something on his own account, made his APP
In the State capital TINS morn.
ing ana wended his way TO the Senate
House ut eleven O'Clock. His resolve was
to bring things TO u crisis bv taking the
moor and presenting himself TO be sworn a repre-.
sentative from the Fourth Senatorial district, but
getting Introduced to Senators Palmer, Allen,
Perry Lowrey. DICKINSON ana others. they, 1t seems,
iissuaded him rom taking this course aud accom-
mOdate1 hin with a seat inside the rails. Here he
sat for two hours TIL the Senate adjourned
at one O'Clock. lie was then introduced 10 Senator
Benedict, VINO talked with INN Tor a Time, and after
that he got into private conversation with Mr.. Ter
williger, Clerk OF the Senate. During TINS time
Senators Alien and Perry had sent mes
senger III search OF Senator Hardenburgh,
the third, AMI democratic, member OF
the Committee Elections, and word came
that that gentleman was cOnnne1 to his room by
Illness, tut that ne would DC happy to have the
meeting held there. Thtner the two Senators went,
accompanied 0y Kossa ana the business OF the COM
mNlee COHneHCeu. Inc SeEdtOr Aleii,
had with HIM the papers that were lodged against
william NJ. Tweed the day OF the opening OF the
Senate, and he presented them to senator Harden.
bursh, who had not yet read them.
Aver getting
TIE SUBSTANCE OF THE PAPERS,
which consisted oi memorial from Nossa claim.
ing the scat, u memorial from the citizens OF the
Fourth district calling for the expulsion OF 1weei
aud an atdavlt from COMM, siOner davenport set
ting lortn inc ectlon frauds, senator HafuenbuTgn
ASKED hossa what ne wanted Il ON the Comm.liee.
ROSA sad he waited an inquiry into the election
frau DIS, that tie Fourth senatorial district was
without representative in The Senate, anu thlt he
there TO snow that he was the peoples cnolce,
II the peoples voice ma not been s!Ined by the
frauus That Tweed had employed to count him In.
Senator Observation-Disclosures the nuinoer or
votes counted iOr Tweed and Tor your
RussA-About eghecn thousand for Tweed and
seven thousand Tor me.
senator HARDEN BURGH-Can you show that six
or seven thousand votes were given " Tweed that
should nave been given 10 your
RossA-lt may he dinlcult to do that; but 1t may
be possible, II you are ready ~ 60 iut1 an investl-
senator HAnDENBURGH-we are prepared to give
you any facilities In our power, but we desire to
know what you require.
RossA-ro enable me to show that frauds were
practised IN most OF the wards it would be neces-
sary to take evidence In every polling pl Ce
throughout the district. TO 40 inis would entail
much expense ana great deal OF time. Ii II Comes
within your province TO order an Inquiry, Oect
the rest.
senator HARpENBURGH--We have power to order
witnesses.
RossA- But If you summon the witnesses to
Albany you would nave snch a number coming up
here as would make very large bill. Could you
not order
a COMMISSION To SIT IN NEW YORK
and take tue evldenceY
COAMlrrEE-ies, We could do that.
RossA-Then l am prepared to show you that Mr..
Tweed has got his certificate by fraud.
senator hARDESBuRGH--Can you show that 1000
votes were counted Tor Mr.. Tweed which should
have been counted Tor your
ROSSA-pernaDSI could not prove that. but
produce evidence to show that there was fraud aud
Intimidation and repeating in every district where
Tweed mad majority, and think that should put
out these districts.
Senator HARDENBURGH-No; II there was one
fraudulent vote In district that should not deprive
the men who voted honestly o. their choice Of o
representative.
Roosevelt. I did not know that, only know
that In European countries, IN England particularly
where one frau iulent vore detected IN favor OF
successful candidate. II nullies MS election and his
Senator HARDENBUEGH-That may be So but our
election laws are different.
The CHAIRMAN-Have you no lawyer to ADVISE
ROssA-No. II employed lawyer Tweed may
buy him OF. Tweed IS not coming to take his
are to take no action. l am not going to
employ counsel 10 contest this seat for the counsel
l would employ might, under the Influences l
out taking definite action. Then II Tweed would
MOI come TO the Senate the opposition which would
he aroused by his coming remains dormant while
he stays away, and
AM l TO REMAIN PASSIVE
oil the timer No; came up to-day to appear on
the door OF the House and demand the seat; but,
having met you before carried out nv intention,
and you having appointed a meeting for one
O'Clock, !. IN difference to YOU did not act as had
The IHAIRMAN-But you would have been acting
RossaWI Know Wound. bnt' III tnonUnt 'I 81 was
necessary 10 act so la order TO Drng about issue.
Had done IT, IL IS probable thar some one would
say was out Or order, and the matter would be re-
ferred To the Committee on Elections and you would
be called upon to act. You have nv papers now
Tor three weeks and up 10 this nothing has been
the CoMNIrTFE-But Mr.. Tweed has not come to
take his seat Neither have you come, ana under
these clrcums tances we could do nothing.
RosSA-lf Mr.. Tweed-c0nsCiOus til ~ he has been
elected ny fraud, and seeing that II he came to Ike
his seat 1t would be contested to his loss OF 1t
chooses TO remain away for TWO years are you to
take no action, aud are the people TO be lett unrep
resentedY Have you no law to compel Senator to
appear IN the senate within any certain time after
his election?
The CHAtaMAN-Ifa Senator is sworn IN the Sen.
ate can order him 10 attend. and II he did not
attend declare tae seat vacant; but when he Is not
sworn the seus.e mas no control over him.
KOssA-lt IL In view of this fact that 1 made up
my mint TO present myself 10 tue House anu ask
10 be sworn IN, IN order TO
BRING THE NATTER TO AN ISSUE
Senator PERRY-But you could 90 before the Sec
Rotary ol STATE or one OF the judges and take the
OATH OF ONCE. ana then the question would come up
Tue senate could not swear you for Mr.. Tweed's
certificate Is lodged IN the House.
kOsSA--I am ready 10 do anything in my power TO
test the question. went INTO THIS nght against
Tweed on principle, "a | believed his action was
bringing disgrace upon the name and lnsu utiOns
OF repubcaDisn. II was SAID that there could be
no man got 10 run against him mat ne would not
bug out. was not bought oui; but II II Is 10 come
To ques ion OF my spending money TO contest the
seat, / am not able 10 compete Win HIM Have YOU
not authority to pay lawyers IN such case as tins
Inc CHAiKMAN--It Is discretionary with us. and
that discretion Is often USED III ordering the ex.
penses 10 DC paid.
the .'Boss'' SUMMONED TO APPEAR.
After some more conversation II was decided 10y
the committee 10 notify Mr.. Tweed that ms election
was coute ,ied that meeting Of the connittee was
to be held at three O'CLOCK on thursday, the
z5tn, and that MS at.endancc Was required
IN Albany. UDonDvan Rossa WAS tod he
could attend, Win or without lawyer, on the
same day when such action wOHld be taken a3 was
consistent with the principles Ol the constitution.
ROSA asked II the committee would not also no.
Try Commissioner Davenport OF tue committee OF
seventy and was tod they had not rover 20 notify
any Que but IN. gentleman whose seat was con-
tested. 1hey said Rosa might co Dmuncate win