The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-16
JOHN T. DArENPoRps POSSE.
A vaia Attempt 20 Discover who were the
Men Sent Out TO IntImidato Voters.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The
following facts relate to the numerous arrests
OF citizens Of this city which were made on the
9th Of November last.
During the month OF October 1878. about one
thousand special marshas we're appointed by
Marshal Louis +. Payn. under the provisions OF
the United States Revised Statutes. for the pur-
poses Of the registration Of voters, and OF the
election to be held on the 9Th day OF November.
Shortly before election day some 300 or 400 nd
dhional marshals were appointed for duty on
that day. Warrants for tho arrest OF over three
thousand citizens were issued by Commissioner
Davenport just prior to the election. and the ex-
ecution Of these warrants WINS intrusted to
these marshas. They were also empowered.
under the act. with n large Discretionary power.
breach Of the law relating 10 the elective fran
chise was committed in their presence. without
warrant.
Tho history Of tho arrests which were actu-
nlly effected, and OF the great army Of unoffcnd
ing citizens, who, were taken like. criminass
before tho United States Commissioners and
detained during the day, has already been
stated in THE Sun, and is too we'll known to
Mood repetition.
Last March an effort was made for tho pur-
pose Of furnishing information 10 the Commit
tee OF Congress to whom the matter OF the pro-
posed amendments OF the Election law had been
referred, TO procure some evidence relating TO
the character and antecedents OF the special
arrest had been delegated. complete list OF
the names OF tho special marshals had been
furnished to tho Treasury DepaItmsnt but on
names only had been furnished. without the
residences. and il was therefore not possible to
identify the parties named, or to ascertain any
thing in relation TO their characters or fitness
for the duties which they were called to dis
On The 18th day Of April last tho following
letter. WAS written TO Mr. Payn, United Statcs
Marshal:
Lou. , rAys,. ESQ, U. $. Marshal. Southern hi.
ohcc for the names and addresses the special mar
ana Ssa'SS s al d f s ws Il S a
oa bad .i Of NE na,ne' bit no. o. ,hS
correct and whether you can tell me where can aseer
A" 9eaTs truiy' =" "s'0 Elrsv ASprnsos
| received no answer to this letter. but u dav
or two after it's date called Mt tho Marsha's
possessed a record OF the residences OF the
mnrshals. but that II would be- u labor OF eome
days 20 prepare the list | then saw Mr.. Payn
himself. and he assured me that should have
the list as soon "a the same could be prepared
called at tho Marshafs office several times
during the following two weeks and was on
each occasion assured that the list would short
ly be ready. but that the labor inyolvcd in pre-
On tho 9th day OF May received from the
Tie information. called iorb my letter q Apr
~. but on examining the same. II WINS found TO
contain nothing but printed list OF names al
ready existing in the report made by the Treas-
residences Of the parties. Tho following letter
was thcrcupon written to Marshal Payn;
Iovl' PlrS ESQ. T. : Marshal. southern District n
to you for the names and rc,idenocs c the special mar.
eeesb Of ssS IL N aI note nored toa ss End
been told at our ofcc that you had the nanes but not
kHoy vhs,hsr such was the iact sabi,gucnty saw
d. nom sa G xnl or e m sn y, Ss s nS
aud ina, lis % INC names and reside would Be M
aerwari repeated TO YOU that was glad 10 learn that
S"nf once as Il seemed 10 me incTedSie thSt an ndis'
slninae power Of arre, would be cenhded 10 i9gresn
hundred unknown persons OF whom the residences
have wai,sd patiently for weeks 70 get this list
ihe men ilheata singlc rssid,ne Il was wei knCwI
sy the Treasury Derarlment 10 The Committee q the
aud it was certainly understood by that what re-
| CURED was the RESIDENCES OF the MON
Have you record Of the residence. Of the special mar
shals appointed The purposes ~ tie rcgisauon
election Of 1919 and will you furnish copy OF uis
'1 WV YoSS. i NsS 3. is7e T. " N'''"'0S
| No answer has been sent TO this letter though
application for such ans wer has been repeatedly
| made at the MHrshal's office.
There may BE- an honest difference Of opinion
| as TO whether the EleStion laws should be al.
| mnistcred under national or State authority
| bur all will agree that under either jurisdiction
| the administration of the law should be con
| Quoted in an intelligent and orderly manner
| The power OF personal arrest Is an extraordi
| nary one. When confided 10 a large number Of
| persons. with tho right under certain circum
| stances TO exercise the same without warrant
| II is absolutely essential that they should b,
| discreet that their acts should be closely super
| vised by the officer appointing them. and. above
| all. their residences should be known. so tina
they can be- found and held TO answer for anl
| violation Of duty.
An application for the renppointment Of Mr.
| payn 10 the position of Marshal for the South
! crn District Of New York is now pending before
! Mr. Hayes. Is an officer who has launched al
army OF 400 irresponsible harshals in tn
| midst Of this great city during the eXcitemen
| Of q closely contested election without keepini
| n record Of their residences Il proper person I,
! appoint 10 discharge the duties Of Marshal o
| this district
From the correspondence given above, Their
| would seem to be- no escape from the conclusion
| that Marshal Payn has not a record Of the resi-
| dcnces Of tho special marshals,
New YoRK May Is. J.. ELLERY ANDERSON
lilly GILL; I'M EERLr LEE nI-r