Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-05-05
Barney's Torpedo.

Every few days we have the announce
ment from Washington that startling
discovery has been made involving the
President in some fraudulent practice.
One day, Clymer's committee have light
ed upon this "maTe's nest;'' then the
Committee on Ways and Means have
found it, and finally, the other day we
had assurance that our own Barney, sur
named Caulfield, had at last unearthed the
truth and would expose ii TO the glaring
sunlight, to the everlasting confusion of
the Administration and its supporters.
The Inter-O Ocean did not see fit TO discuss
the probability or improbability of this
expOsure We have heard so much Of
these groundless charges, which roar so
loud in the preface and coo so dove-like
in the index, that they no longer startle or
interest us. For years Gen. Grant has
been exposed to all sorts of inquiry and
investigation, from friend and foe alike,
but nothing has been found to cast the
slightest stain upon his integrity. We
were not ready to believe, therefore, that
our Barney had been able to discover what
sharper and more experienced politicians
had failed to find, and we rested quite
easily over his flaming announcement
Now the sequel comes, and as it has been
in almost every instance where Gen
Grants acts have been questioned, the
revelations add to his reputation as an
honest man and faithful Executive. The
law of 1871 provided for the arrest and
punishment of persons attempting false
registration or fraudulently voting, and
for the appointment of Supervisors TO en-
force the law. The Supervisors were ap-
pointed by the Judge of the United States
(iraIit m thp YNafitfnn of oft
and consisted of two persons, residents
of said city or town, who shall be of
different political parties" Under this
law Mr.. John L. Davenport, of New York,
was appointed, and finding that some of
the secret-service fund had been eXpend-
ed by him, Mr.. Caulfield's committee an
nounced that the President had been
using the public money to carry elections,
and summoned Mr.. Davenport before it
to testify. The evidence of the latter re-
veals two things: First, that the com
mittee know nothing of the law; and ],
second, that Mr.. Davenport was instru-
mental in detecting and in large manner
preventing the disgracetul frauds that
have been committed in New York for so
many years. Mr.. Davenport presented a
great bundle of fraudulent naturalization
papers which he had obtained, and
| showed how the holders thereof had been
prevented from robbing honest people OF
their votes in New York. Another sig
nificant fact was brought to light Under
the law Supervisor is allowed ten cents
| for "filing and caring for every return,
report document, or other paper required
| to be fled by him." and twenty cents for
affixihg his seal to any instrument de-
manded by the act. Mr.. Davenport
showed that he had charged fees only
where he did all the work, and had not
charged for any document offered volun-
! tarily, though by the letter of the law he
might have done so. The whole evidence
goes to show that the President exerted
! himself to the utmost to secure fair
election and TO carry out the law
as intended by Congress, and moth.
| ing more. Mr.. Caulfeld, baked OF
his plan, questioned Davenport about
| the possibilities of dishonest practices
under the law, as if there could be any
| law that might not be abused by unscrup
ulous mem but even here he was met and
completely overthrown. "Suppose the
office of Supervisor should be filled by Q
dishonest Official" said Mr.. Caulfeld
"what would prevent the sending arounG
of five or six men to register at various
voting precincts, so that the Supervisor
could issue warrants and get pay TO.
them?" The absurdity of this question i:
apparent on its face. 1t is like asking
what prevents Sheriff from getting {
dozen men to go about committing Crane
larceny, in order that warrants may be is
sued, which he would get pay for serv
ingl But in the case of fraudulent regis
tration Mr.. Davenport answered that i
would be necessary for great many
officials, both Republican and Democratic
to be in the conspiracy as well as The men
and therefore detection would be almos
certain This was evidently the first init
nation the committee had that super
visors under the law were appointed from
both parties; but, the revelation being
made, Barney and his committee subsid
ed, and the great exposure remains hid
den in the stomach of Time. Now W.
are ready for the next report, What shall
! it be?-ChtcagO Inter Ocean.