Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-17
About New York Elections.
THE EXAMINATION OF JOHN I. DAvENPoR'
CONTINUED.

CONTINUED.
Mr.. Davenport's examination was resu med
by the Committee on Expenditures of the
Department Of Justice this morning, and he
was first Intercepted by Mr.. Meade, in re-
Spouse to whom he stated that he had re-
oeived $1,000 or $4,000 from the New York
committee of seventy. This was for service
rendered as In charge of the canvass for that
committee. He was also charged with the
duty of making certain examinations, aud
received In all, from this aud other sources,
about $4,000. In 1872 witness rC ceived no
money from any other source except that
stated above for registration and election
purposes. In 1871 witne5 met Jas. o Brieu
Of New York, at the Jackson club, and some
affidavits were made for the arrest of parties
who had perpetrated
fraud AT THE ELECTION OF 1870
Question. Were not the names signed to
those affidavits fictitious?
Mr.. Davenport replied that Mr. Meade had
got hold of the wrong year. In 1873, Mr..
y ET1en came 10 witness a lew days before
the election and said lie had evidence that
repeating was 10 be done on the east side,
and that he was examining the matter. Mr..
O'Brien never reported the matter until the
day preceding the election, and witness then
objected to taking up the case on the eve of
an election when there was so much excite
ment, and he went to the district attorney,
whose assistant took the affidavits, and
upon these affidavits witness issued his war
rants. He subsequently, asCertained that the
AHA nts had signed fictitious names. The
x
Mr.. s. g. Cox, who was candidate for the
plaf OF Congressman Brooks, who had just
died. In this case the entire affidavit was
made by the district attorneys assistant.
Witness further testified that In 1870 aft Ia
Wits were made as to non residence by letter
carriers. They had ascertained the fact of
nOn-residenCe
BY MEANS OF DECoY LETTERS,
upon which the postage was paid. These
decoy letters were prepared by a clerical
force designated TO- that duty. Did not
tiers after they were returned to the post
office. The list OF letters amounted to about
1000. These warrants were issued a day or
two before the day of election.
q. Did IT not occur to yOu that the fact
getting out in the community that a large
number of warrants had been issued would
deter many honest voters from going to the
A. No, sir; it did net. Nor does 1t occur
To me now.
NOT MUCH CHANCE FOR HONEST MEN.
By Mr.. COchrane: Would not the fact of
the issue of the warrants keep honest men
from the polls?
Mr.. Davenport-At that time honest men
bad very little chance in that community.
always took particular palms to prevent
any obstacles being thrown IN the way OF an
honest voter.
Witness was questioned pretty closely by
Mr.. COchrane as TO the amounts he had re-
ceived apart from the secret service fund
and gave the names of number of prom
inenG New Workers who hal individually
contributed to the work.
Q What offices do you now hold in New
York?
A. am clerk of the circuit court of the
United States for the southern district Of
New York; also, chief supervisor OF elections
and also q commissioned.
q. Do you hold any other office?
A. Not that am aware or Allow rae to
explain here that the law requires that the
chief supervisor should be selected from one
Of the commissioners, and that the clerk of
the circuit court Is, by virtue OF his Office, a
commissioner.
q. Who drew that law and urged its pas
sage?
A did, sir. don't want to diss Iise any
thing in reference To the matter.
In reference to Mr.. Joyce, witness said all
he had ever made out o the business was in
fees, ard his entire net proceeds was Il, goo.
The government does not lose a dollar by
hts hOlGiag the above Offices.
Tne committee then adjourned until to
morrow.