The New York herald., 1876-12-28
WANTED TO SELL OUT,
The Investigating Committee Wrestling
with Double Inquiry.

fed that he knew Of his own knowledge OF no illegal
voting or registration In that city.
Some evidence was offered regarding fraudulent
voting in New Lots, Long Island. After considerable
wrangng stricken out. IL not OF importance
10 either side.
JOURNALISTIC oFFIcE-HoLDER's VIEWS
Franklin J. Oitarson called and sworn The
gentleman held roll of manuscript In his hand as he
down, and proved to be the substance of what
he proposed testify to, arranged question and
swer MT Wells held key to the document, in the
shape OF a copied list OF the questions. Nr. Wells
propoun ded question after question, and the witness
answered voubiy, keeping his eyes liked upon tho
manuscript He testified that he was journalist /;
had been connected with the Tribune from ls4l to
1865 and since that had been writer OF special
articles for other New York papers; was at present
connected with evening journal as editorial writer
considered that large number OF illegal votes
last election under the management OF the
Tammany party.
IL do not" said he, 'sbelieve nor do pretend to
charge that all democrats dishonest, but do
to say that every dishonest man, every vagabond,
gambler, illegal seller, tramp loaicr bad citizen,
in whatever line OF business, from burglary down to
French POOLS is instnctivey and practically in favor
Of Tammany democracy"
General Rice objected to the answer as witness
competent 10 give opinion OF the moral charac-
ter Of the democratic party.
stCn to upon our record. This man comes here
the purpose OF rehusning old editorials OF iorly years.
standing
Upon resolution OF General Rice tho answer was
stricken out
Mr. Ottarson's examination was resumed, and he
proceeded 10 read from his manuscript ana from
paper clippings, making furious onslaught ON the
democracy OF New York. Mr.. Cox hnaily got out of
patience and exclamed:-"Tns matter OF census and
all the rest has nothing to do with our investigation,
and IL my colleagues 40 not stop II Will OBJECT to
the last question" The objection was sustained by
OF three TO two, Mr.. Wells protesting shat smiar
questions had been put TO Mr. Davenport and Nr.
Whitney HIS objections were cut short by the CHAIR
man ordering him 10 80 on to his next question.
Mr. Wcls-How do you account Tor the large DEM
ocratic majority in this city in the last electlons
Witness SAID there were Two leading causes. First,
the democratic party has always been the side OF
the largest bcrty-l may say lawlessness. 1t draws
10 us support nearly all the scum that floats about
great city. But their chief anchor has been the for
elgn especially the Irish VOTE That vote has been
secured by concessions TO the Church OF Rome 10 tho
amount oi millions OF dollars from the pockets OF the
city ana State taxpayers"
Mr. Cox-Ask him what he thinks OF the inialhbility
The examination was then proceeded with for few
moments when Mr. Cox crled out, II VIII not sit here
as cnarnan of tlis committee and have time wasted
sucn stun
'oh let llm so on and read his essay" said Mr,
Waddell, N the gentlemen wish TO hear him. shal
move aiterward to have II all stricken out"
THE ROOT OF EVIL.
On cross-examination by Mr.. Cox Mr. Ottarson
stated that he holds the position OF sorekccpcr In the
Custom House, Tor which he receives 81 per day The
dutes, he said, required his attendance iour hve
times week, and sometimes ne visited the Custom
House every day.
a sALABLE cASvAssER.
Thomas Duffy was calieJ. He proved to be a short,
stout young man Of twenty with smooth shaven
full face and closely cropped hair; was respectfully
clad and spoke with strong North OF England accent,
that he lived Mt No 537 West Fiily-nnth street. and
chair of the Board OF Canvassers the Fourth
election district OF the Fifteenth Assembly DISTRICT
was appointed 10 that position through the influence
OF Mr.. Henry J. LeasK, OF Thrty-slxth street.
republican politician; some days before election ono
Michael Costello, who Is employed IN tue Custom
House, 10 witness and, alter talking about the
political situation, told witness that II he could change
the record OF the vote his district TO give
Hayes majority he would be gwen $50; witness
suited friend AS TO whether he should take II and
ADVISED not TO shortly before the polls Closed ON elec
toa day Costello had to witness and saiu, Il
don't think you do it-you will bo we'll watched;'
witness SAID he thought he could do II II the money
were forthcoming.
now HR WOULD DO 1T.
Being crosscxamincd by General MacDougal and
Mr.. Wells, Duffy spoke OF his INTENDED crime with
natre that showed he had not the antest idea OF right
aud wrong where ballots were concerned He lived
with his mother, he said, had been out of work and
'woud have done double as much' TO gain the money
al never soc Hayes ana never Tiiden, he SAID
"whars them to me?' In answer to questions us 10
how he would have effected the cnange IN the record
witness said ho could not tell exactly he had
done such work. .But,n he added, with honest ZEAL
II would have done the best knew how; l would
have given rden's vote TO Hayes and Hayes to TIL
den 1t beng strong democratic ward"
DOUBTS ABOUT
\,
Supervisor OF Elections, called At No. ia south
Filth avenue from which men registered, witness
house but young woman, who said her husband was
the only man in tho house; found had his name
wrong, but the woman said she was democrat and he
was republican; she did not send him TO correct IT,
Being pressed by Mr. Cox wtness admitted he dio not
know OF man who registered aud attempted to vote
Illegally "Well don't you think that Is pretty air
election, John, when you don't know OF any frauds"
''Well, have my doubts about IT," was the reply.
REPUBLICAN TRIBUNAL
.Toh IN Ipspe rof EIpct na
teenth Election district OF the Second Assembly dis
tric testified that warrants issued for the arrest
OF thirteen voters in that district election day last
eleven OF them had been arrested noticed that repub
licans who were arrested came back and voted IN halt
an hour, while democrats did not get back until late In
the aiernoon warrant for the arrest ora man named
Oscar Brown was placed in the hands OF United States
Marshal g. W. Matthews, who took the man away
they both returned after, ond the officer said
had taken his before Mr.. Davenport; Brown con-
fessed that he had been taken before Davcn
port but before 'Dcnns Shea, republican kicker in
the ward - then caused the Marshal to be
rested heard about 1t, and did not believe ne
was ever brought TO trial.
Toe committee then took recess until nall past
seven in the evening.
TnE EVENING SESSION.
When the committee reassembied Genera! Rice
stated that II necessary for him 10 depart at
for his home in Ohio, ard an arrangement was made
by which his colleague, Mr. Waddeil OF North Carolina
was authorized 10 cast his vote upon any question
which might arse in his absence. resolution
passed TO adjourn at ten O'Clock to meet on Thursday
next at noon In the Continental Hotel, Philadelphia,
there TO begin tho investigation OF election frauds in
that city. Mr.. John l. Davenport called to testify
in cont tradction OF the witness Dean regard to
eral made In reference certain alleged
illegal registrations He also commented upon
timony Of several other witnesses and po united out
falsccs IN their statements.
George Bliss. United States District Attorney stated
his belief that ten per OF the persons naturazcd
In tuis city last fail were not legally entitled to c
zcnship; lie thought many illegal votes cast but
that the whole the election lair and honest
a any that had ever been held New YORK. ana Us
fair any that could ever be had where great pol
Cal excitement prevailed.
Henry g. Leask, OF No. 262 West Thirty sixth street.
the gentleman referred to by Thomas Duiy called
aud testified that he knew the latter had his in
uence have him appointed Inspector but had never
thought OF trying 10 induce bin illegally.
Miohaei Costello, No go West Thirty seventh street,
the person whom Duffy said had offered him the $780,
swore that he had never proposed to pay Duffy
anybody else money or political purposcs--that the
whole story false.