New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-07
WHAT THE OFFICIALS SAY.

FRArDCIFNUY REGISTERED VOTERS To BE AR
RrsTyD WHEREVER FOUND, AND TRIED TO THE
Full EXTENT OF HE LAW.
In view of the importance OF the conference
held on sunday night 10y representatives II the CITY Gov
erpm,u the Police Board and the United states author
ties in regard 20 the relative duties OF the police ana '
superyors of elections and United States deputy mar
slals on election day interviews were had WIN an
the members Of the Police Board and District Attorney
Phelps as TO what action they proposed To take III mann
Timing the peace aud providing for fair elections To-
day All were positive in declaring in the most en-
phatc terms that FOR once New-Iork should nave an
election whose fairness could not oc disputed, and that
the full power Of the law should be employed 10 prevent
fraudulent voting arrest, Try, and convict ever!
person fraudulenty registered
Gen William f. smith, President of the Police Board
id the roIce on election day would be under the orders
of the Inspectors of Election The United state
marshals would make arrests at tie command OF the
suervi,ors and the police required by law 10 ad
when called upon. He declared IN the language oI s'H'
notice order lately issued, that it was an ohenSc against
the laws the United States for the ponce l" Ic'u''
prol,er assistance when required by United states u'PH
nlarshas The police were not the judges oil meg"
voting The officers Of election were supposed to hno"
thc facts and at their orders those violating the laws
would e arrested either by the police al the command
Of the inspectors. when the prisoners would be taken
before the police courts, or 10y the United states
narsals at the dir ction of the supervisors Wheh the
Thus the two sets officers had the same authority to ar
rest men for any violations of law and order law OF
the force held the officers responsible for the escape VI
prisoners in their charge and this law would be enforced
AZ the election as would all laws that tended to secure
quiet election.
Police Commissioner Sidney p. Nichols said that the
hoard had issued orders enforce the election laws ana
that he rs well as an the commissioners felt fully deter
mined that everything should he done that lay in their
mower to have the election fair, honest, quiet and
peaceful.
Police Commissioners Erhardt and Wheeler expressed
Their views freely in regard 10 the action OF the police Oh
election day Commissioner Wheeler said that the Police
Commissioners had issued all orders to the police Ill
rected by law and police would be- expected to make
arrests justified by the rules governing their usual action
The United states &c putty marSals would have the power
10 arrest any persons who were trying to deposit raudu
lent votes " any resistance were offered the maf'iS
coud call on the bystadcIs for assistance and police
man present would be bound in the same way as any
other prson TO obey the call In tins alone could the
notice be said 10 under the authority OF the arSha
In reply 10 qucstions the commissioners gave ,uSiF
nin mat Tie marshals alcue would Pee rSpOn -hc for
the appearance in court Of arrested rcpcates Even
resistance were made, ana pOlicclah sICuu en- ~
pOiceman's duty would end as soon as the marshal h"d
gained control Of his prisoner and no longer needed lhe
pocemau's and. This rule of duty would also Apply 10
any other person who called upon as ctzcn IN"
con said that the law in this matter would tie
found TO he very dstaste'ui 10 inc IauI'il No'',
who would rejoice at hcng taken in charge by
n policeman, conducted TO a station mouse, dbu
speedily released by justice, instead OF be
ing taken by deputy marshal To jan ana
compelled 20 remain there perhaps foE q day or t"O
until their 0cnscs could he punished II the poceth
were compelled to take fraudulent voters 10 inc station
houses rcpeaters could assemble at the polls IN body
allow one or Of their number 10 be arrested thuS
removing the small force which the police authorizes
were able 10 provide, aud then Stuh the ballot boxes
before the policemen returned Fraud could be checked
much more effcctually by Having the marshalS ana
the police remain at the polls, the mafshals
handing prisoners with the proper warrants
10 such deputies they could trust, and VINO were
willing the authority and trouble delegated 10
them through the warrants. The commissioners auucd
that any attempt the part OF the marShas 10 exercise
unwarranablc authority the police would be very
unwise, as might lead TO conflicts which would aid
fraudulent voting instead of preventing It.
Distrct-AttOrney Phelps being asked as 10 the &C
ton of the police and the United STATES authorities and
his own Office said that hc had had formal conference
with the oce authorities the United states Commits
the prevention crime its duties being To enforce the
punishment OF crime " | Ger ainy lutcud, added MT
Phelps u the full extent Of my authority, 10 prosecute
any and all Of what party, VINO may Ia pre-
sented 10y for fraudulent voting The magnitude o we
fraudulent voting this city has become threatening ana
mean for the rest Of the time that aln III Once 10
make IL special duty prosecute. with all the power
have every whom believe To be guilty OF sucn
crime This office cannot anticipate the commission OF
such crime II can only pursue II with energy after It's
commission ana that u will do. Under the Election law
many OF the crimes the can tried
late years had TO large share of the ordinary
criminal business, but in the past wear the running of
two parts Cf General has taken aW ay any
such necessity. Judge Brady VIII hold the Court OF over
and Termincr during the month Of November and will
prpbably have time attend TO this class s. and
IL and IA Il ffun.f