New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-05
covWssIoyFR CHAnLICK's DEFENSE.
4 reoRouGH INVESTIGATION C0URTEp-WN EMILIA
NATION OF HE POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS.
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4 rnoRouGH INVESTIGATION COUErED-ilN HNlLA-
NATION OF HE POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS
Commissioner ChariCk was called upon last
evening BY reporter Of TIE TRIBUNE. aud questioned
relstiye 10 the train of tho charges maze
.e,iD.t him and Commissioners smith ana Cara
per He stated that no was perfectly Wiling
20 have the most thorough investigation OI MS
Official acts ever since no had been memoir
OF the Police Board with reference to the appointment
OF inspectors OF election al the acts of the Commits
n,opers were spread on the minutes Of the meetings OF
tbe BOARD by the clerk and were to be seen by any
authorized person. He willing that his auditor
should see them and judge for himself When the ques
zion Of the appointment OF inspectors Of election came
up for consideration IN the Board IT was resolved thar
Committee Of two representing each OF the pohtcdi
parties should be appointed by the President TO pass
upon the names submitted for inspectors and pocerks
by tho various political factions. Commissioners
Russell and Duryee proposed that the entire Board
should constitute sueh committee; but lls was Cd
Sected TO- the examination of the persons offered
Ror the position would extend over two or
three weeks. President Smith appointed as such
Committee Commissioner Gardner 10 represent
the Republicans and himself TO represent
the Democrats A form Of affidavit was drawn up aud
applicants were required TO state. under OATH for whom
they had voted for the preceding year This
wac believed 10 fairest test OF the political pre-
elections Of the candidates for inspectors. He had
rejected some good Democrats because they
could not meet this test. Various lists OF candi-
dates were banded him, and in each case the names
were scrutinzed No OF known bad character was
appointed There altogether 100 appointments TO
DE made and was possible that OF this large number
nome bad men may have been chosen but IL not
with the knowledge 0rcOnnvance OF the Commissioners
There was difficulty IN procuring good men to serve as
Snspecor or the Democratic inspectors az least
eghtbs recommended by the Tammany Hau
General Committee. In many cases when nst5 were
more members OF me IaInhahy MAJ Gehe!al WI. ID.
iDittee had confidence, ana asked them 10
look over the list Of names aud see II they We're
those OF proper men ior INC poS,'IUn. Ioilo
Of the names submitted by Iammany fialt were Ie-
teoted because they those OF un1t men, Inc names
OF those approved were submitted 10 tie BOARD Oh ro
aice rOm tune time, and, he believed III every case
unanimous sppIOveu' 41SIe f Presei and
Duryee AS before stated, COmnisSiOner Els-
ss se S Tsn''d that wa Be all the tue opposition S
the Of which lie cOgrizant The allega-
that the appointments f INSPECTOR was not con
nrmed by the Board until several GAY seI the eiecto
vas absurd the appointment OF the various hsls OF
inspectors brought W. in the meetings OF the
Board and the nominees were confirmed. The re-
moyal Of inspectors on the day OF election was easily
explained. He did uOt believe there were more than
nye removals and appointments on lh cav anu Heaiy
all Of these were IN tuS XNIlltb Assembly DISTRICT In
one district Dennis Hogan, man OF doubtful repute,
ConhHn. Who hal been regularly appointed
and sworn In. Hogan arrested and locked up for
violating the election law, ana manufacturer named
Hart reputable man and an acquaintance OF the
bpthktft MtS bWViu IN 10 Uu tue NaCddO1s JAMES
OBren and the Tammany party were anxious
70 have their men appointed to fiji tine va
cancy, hut he refused % appoint either one. 10
u subject of comment by Commissioner Smith that
there fewer changes OF inspectors election
than In previous year since he had been a member
of the Board. In each where inspectors were
moved the lreasOns therefor and the OF the
appointed written and placed In pardte envelopes
aud filed away, and these can also be prouuced when
ever necessary. These charges made by the
full Board, meetings being held at intervals during the
entire day election day whenever business called
them together There was therefore, need for the
Board 10 take any subsequent action In the matter.
The charge that watchers excluded from the
polling places, response TO telegram from President
6mitb PROBABLY grew out Of tue fact THAI complaint
had been made from some OF the police precincts
that the crowds the polling places encrOscbng
on the reserved for the inspectors aud seriously
impeding them In counting the vote. The order
tended " prevent this. lie willing 10 explain any
otcal act OF his before competent tribunal and
also wng that the investigation should no long aud
searching possible.