The New York herald., 1878-11-27
THE BROOKLYN ELECTION.

INVESTIGATION LAST EVENING INTO THE ALLEGED
TAMpERING WITH THE BALLOT BoxEs-MARrIN
TAYLOR TELLS A STARTLING STORY UNDER
oATH-PLAT DENIALs OF THE ACCUSED or
FicIAIs
The publication of the rumors that Martin Taylor
painter. who formerly employed by the Brook
lyn Police Department to do general repairs. WAS
about to make certain statements showing that fraud
had been used to obtain possession of the Office
of Surrogate, held by A. H. Daley, led to
considerable excitement yesterday in Brooklyn.
President Jourlan, of the Police Board with a view
to clear the reputation of that department from all
suspicion of wrongdong and to punish if guilty the
officials who might be found to be implicated in tho
frauds caused investigation to be begun yesterday
afternoon
When Mr. Taylor first requested to go before
the Board and testify he refused to do So The Com
missioncrs then found that they had the power 10
compel his attendance by virtue of provision OF tlss
ch arter.
President Jourdan in opening the proceedings said
certain statements had appeared in the New York and
Brooklyn papers appertain;ng to the Police Depart
ment in relation alleged tamperng with the ballot
boxes The investigation held for the purpose Of
determining whether the police have been guilty of
the offence alleged otherwise President Jourdan
against him. and the witness thereupon duly
sworn and testified follows-
TAyLoR's STORY.
My name is Martin Taylor and reside at No 338
Degraw street; my business is that of general con-
tractor.
Q. State how you came in possession of the keys
of the ballot boxes of the city OF Brooklyn A. got
them at the Sixth precinct station house
two years ago. The witness here handed
three small brass keys by President Jour-
dan, and he identified them the keys ne
had taken. Continuing Taylor said:-I got them
in drawer behind the desk in the main room;
marked them with a nick on the bottom OF each key
and made three strokes the upper portion of the
keys; the drawer from which / took them not
locked; knew the keys there because had
been looking for them; wanted to get them.
A. By Abram H. DALEY and Thomas F. Farrell; they
told me that they wanted them to get some tickets
into the ballot boxes: before going further would
state that Daley to and afterWurd Farrell
came to me the same demand; they came to me at
intervals about two months apart.
Q. State the conversation which Mr. Daley had
with you. A. Daley said to me he wanted to secure
the keys to open the ballot boxes; that there were
three small brass keys bunch and that il l would
find them lie could fix things up; Farrell told me
that he had man to perform the duty; got the
keys that same evening and took them to Mr. Daley
not give them to him. but to give them to Mr. Far
rclI; did give them to Farrell.
told me he wanted me to give them to party in the
Fifth precinct station house; he told me who the
party was it was a member Of the Police Depart
O. What is his name? A. Ican't think of his name;
1 would know him if saw him saw the man in the
Jackson Club House previous To this.
POLICEMAN IN THE CASE.
@. Did you hear of any police officer having any
would know the officer it were to sec him; could
not swear to his name; the officer man about
five feet eight inches and had pinplcs on his face
and red blotches his check; had light mustache
and stout; the sergeant saw at the club house
good sized man; would know him II saw
him.
O. Did he specify any number Of ballots :? A.
can't recoect; he didn't say to me what he had done
with the ballots the work referred to was in respect
to the ballot box keys did not that officer after
this conversation occurred some time last summer;
Mr. Farrell said to me that all that could be got in the
Fifth precinct fifteen votes.
Q. Did he state why A. He said that there was n
disturbance at the station house, had 200 ballots Of
daley for Surrogatc; mad these ballots TO use
them if got chance
O. Did you pu. any ballots i'll the boxes yourself?
A. No, sir: didn't get chance, nor did Try to;
gave the keys to Farrell and at the time the Daley
Livingston quo warranto going on was wor-
ricd and asked Farrell to get them back for me. so
that if any called for them from the Sixth pre-
cinc station they would be there; Farrell said Cap
tain John Riley had them; ! was doing the entire
mcnt at that time and had right to 90 anywhere in
TRUTH OF THE STATEMENT
Thomas +. Farrell. clerk in the office Of Surrogate
Daley who is alluded by Taylor, next took the
witness chair and testified that he knew nothing
OF the alleged facts recounted by Taylor: Taylor had
never handed witness (Farren any keys. nor had he
ever held any conversation with him on this
subject; witness never had any ballot box keys
in his hands, except in the Zeizer-Kessel con-
test, when he directed by the Court
to count the ballots; had met Mr.. Taylor in Mr..
Daileys Office before and after the election; we em-
poyed him 60 the station houses and get Estate
ment of the votes deny AL Mr. Taylors statements
my getting keys from him or giving keys to HIM
gave no keys to any officer of the Sixth precinct
Surrogate Daley denies that there is any truth in
Taylor's statement.