The New York herald., 1876-12-24
ELECTION FRAUDS.


ABRAM s. HEWITT TEsTIFlEs ABOUT HIS
LErrERs--How CHAIRMAN cox FILLS HIS
PosITIoS-oNE FRAUDULENT VOTE HEARD
FROM.
The Congressional Committee appointed to invcs-
tiga'c alleged lotion frauds met yesterday morning
in the st. NIcuvias Hotel. Howard Gregg, OF New
Lots, Brooklyn, was called by tho republican men,
bcrs, but before his examination was begun
Mr. Waddell called up his resolution to strike out
all testimony having reference to New Lots General
MacDougall said he proposed by this and other w.t.
pcsses TO show that residents OF tho Ninth
ward OF Brooklyn had voted In New LOTS such
vote affected tho election Of Congressman from
Brooklyn, and therefore the inquiry within the
jurisdiction of tho committee General Rice cx-
pressed himself inclined allow tho examination
of tho witnesses Mr. Cox said d--"Therc has been a
good deal OF talk by members OF this committee about
the Chair and the majority acting in narrow and
partisan good deal has also been said about
publicity, and the Chair will now say something tho
same effect. After five days Of investigation, with
every facility afforded them, the minority has not
shown n single illegal vote. The Char does not pro-
posc that this committee shall be made laughing
stock of."
PARLIAMENTARY CouRTEsfEs
GencraI MacDougali-MT Cnalrman-
Mr.. Cox--The gentleman will come to order. The
gentleman does understand his relation to this
committee. He has right to speak unless to n mo-
tion, but the Chair speak at any time. This New
Lots inquiry is entirely outside tho Jurisdiction tho
committee and tho Chair does propose to squan-
der any more time or money upon It. Put that down,
Mr. Stenographer.
General MacDougall--Put down aso Mr.. Stenogra
pher, that protest
Mr. Cox-Oh, strike that stun out
General MacDouga.-I Will not sit here to be In
suited by the Chair or any other man.
Mr. Cox-Thc Chair and tho democratic members
have been insultcd daily by the mputaion Of narrow
and un airness.
General MacDougall-Are you Chairman BY grace
only or by electionY
Mr. Cox-The Char will not answer any such insult
ing nterrogatons. The gentleman will como order
MIR. Waddcll demanded u vote upon his resolution
General Rice did not ballot, and II was lost by tie
General MacDougali-l must again protest against
the presumption aud assumption of the Chair.
Mr.. Cox-Thc gentleman will como to order unless
he has motion to make
General MacDougail--well, then, l move that this
committee take Of fifteen minutes and that
upon reassembling We proceed 10 ballot for acharman
Tho gentleman rs chairman simply by grace and his
own assumption.
The motion put and lost by OF three to
two the 'nroo democrats including the Chair voting
PROCEEDING BUSINESS.
The examination OF Mr.. Gregg then proceeded
with He testified that he was an Inspector at the late
election, and that scvcny.five men who voted in the
gave their residence row OF new houses that
were vacant before eicction the men strangers
aud their votes were challenged, but they swcre them
in witness could not say positively that single illc
G. g. Herman, clerk OF the County Court OF Brook
lyn called 10 testify In respect to naturazaons.
transcripts OF the names OF naturalizod persons Mr.
Cox SAID the committee was limited as to money and
tnat he thought tho copying OF so many names would
Wells u committee OF ono and give him clerk, but
would 90 no further
General MacDougall-Mr. Chairman, may speak.
Mr.. Cox--Ycs, sir, II you recognize tho Chair
General MacDouga-I am forced 10 recognize you
since you have declared yourself chairman.
Mr. Cox-Come to order, sir.
General MacDougall--I will not again address the
Chair / Will not be insuitcd
Mr. Cox-You have not boon insutod, sir You are
in good humor this morning Perhaps you are u
httlo dyspcptic
naturaIzcd in his court from July to November
OF tho present year was 1885, knew OF no frauds in
naturalization registration or voting.
q. W. Wingate, one OF the JOINT bonrd which sat
election day to decide whether arrested parties should
DO held testified that OF those dis
charged; considered the election an exceedingly lair
one.
Mr.. Rice offered resolution that, when the CON-
adjourned, 1t should be 10 meet at ten O'Clock
Tuesday morning ut the Post Once, and tnat their
Investigations as regarded New York, Brooklyn aud
jersey City should be concluded Wednesday, after
which they should proceed TO Philadelphia.
In discussion which ensucd Mcssrs. MacDougall and
Wells claimed that sufficient time had been allowed
them for full invest gation and insinuaed that tho
motive Of the resolution was a dishonest ono.
Mr.. Cox replied that the committee could easily
come back from Philadelphia If It wished, and the
resolution was adopted the two republican members
voting against IT,
now ABRAM :. HEWITT rEsTirIEs.
Mr.. Abram s. Hewitt had been the room since the
conclusion OF Mr.. WIneate's testimony, but IT was
thought dvisabie to have Postmaster James present
hear his testimony and that Official had been tcc-
graphed for He now entered the room and Mr..
Hewitt sworn. Hc testified that ne had knowI-
edge OF letters having boon tampcrcd with In the New
York Post Office, and he had made that charge,
but under tho impression that letters which had
como 10 him through the Now York Post Office had
signed "A Clerk in tho New York Post 0nce' saying,
'Be very careful what you write, Sadc's little
kettle is at work ON your letcrs;" thus ADVISED he
looked carefully at his letters and ound some that bore
the appearance OF having been opened; he showed
several OF them 10 General Taylor, OF tho
Union Club; to Mr. Parke Goodwin, Colonel II, X.
Pcon and others, and they thought tho letters had
been opened as they bore crumpled appearance,
we're psrohcd aud showed too much mucilagc letters
received by Mr. Hewitt IN Washington bore the
appearance; one day he showed two Of them in the
House TO Mr.. Hale; he never had any desire TO all
field spoke about the mail being sacred the tclc-
graph no spoke from belief; after he spoke In tho
House hts mail came all right; ho had thrown away
the anonymous letter which first aroused his sus-
pcions had not hired detective 10 trace the mat
Ter. Witness stated To Mr.. waddcl that he regarded
Postmaster James ms model officer, and hoped when
n reformed civil service is instituted no would be
called TO hold high place
Charles Gayier, superintendent of City Delivery in
the Post Office, shown n couple OF envelopes Mr..
Hewitt took IRON his pocket, and after examination
said he did not think they had been opened letters
wore never opened In the Post ONCE without tho
sent OF those TO whom they addressed.
Andrew Ycoman, Superint tendcnt OF Outgoing Mails,
described the method OF forwarding letters through
MS department; knew OF steam kettle IN tho Post
once building
John II. Dean, aid to the Supervisor Of Election in
the Filth Assembly district, 'thought' there were
thirty five to nifty illegal votes IN that district
John }. Allen, Chief Supervisor OF Elections IN
Brooklyn, thought the last nearly air ccc-
ton as that CITY had ever known. Thomas Johnson,
OF the Second district, Fifteenth ward OF Brooklyn,
knew Of ono fraudulent vote cast IN that district
M committce thcu nd on rncd