The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-26
Facts.


they can make what is supposed to be pres
ent party point. when detected and ar
raigned for unfoundcd statements, they fall
back upon weak memory or hasty speech as
an excuse for wilful misrepresentation
Mr.. ALLISON of Iowa, who figured in
CAKES AMEss diary as one of the henciici-
aries Of the Credit Mobilier, told the Senate
deliberately few days ago that the Flee
tion laws were passed in 1870 chiefly because
of alleged frauds at the election in this city
in 1868 He said "That was in 1868 and in
1870 our Federal election laws were passed
chiefly because OF the frauds that had been
committed on the ballot in the State Of New
York in that year"
This allegation is positive and unqualified.
Yet 1t is wholly untrue and was made for a
purpose of deception. The main election
laws, containing the provisions for super
visors and deputy marshals, and giving
them power TO make instant arrest with
out process" applicable to cities and towns
Of twenty thousand inhabitants, were pass
ed Feb 2s, 1871. Subsequently, these laws
were extended to counties and parishes upon
the motion of carpe,-bagger KELLOGG in
the Senate, and were mounted as a rider on
BILL which Gas signed on June TO- 1872.
Mr.. ALLISON voted for both these laws
and was bound to know when they were
passed. Everybody familiar with recent
political history knows this whole scheme
was invented by JOHN |. DAVENPORT for
the double object Of controlling the large
cities and towns in the interest of the Re-
publican party, and of rewarding himself
for this service by comfortable fees as Chief
Supervisor, to which Office he has contrivod
TO add the functions of Clerk OF the Circuit
Court and United States Commissioner The
laws were intended To prepare the way for
GRANTS second election in 1872.
Mr.. BLAINE and other Republican Senators
have asserted with singular effrontery that
the army has not been employed to inter-
fere with elections since the close Of the civil
war, and certainly not outside the States
where the carpet-baggers held power under
protection OF GRANT and the bayonct Per
haps no man in public life keeps a sharper
eye on political events or has better trained
his memory TO retain the order of their oc-
currence than Mr.. BLAINE. He could not
have been ignorant of facts which deeply
excited public feeling when they happened.
In 1870, long before the DAVENPORT laws
were passed, the Administration at Wash
ington organized scheme for carrying the
fall elections in this and other cities by the
use Of the army as an intimidating political
element. There was no call for troops, and
no good cause for their presence, rs is sub
stantially admitted in the following order.
lOfciall
WAR DErARrNESt NAsHiNcroN oct %, ls7p
" Sir In view OF the apprehension that may be
possible opposition made TO the Unted state, laws
necton with the election in the city OF Sew York
Nov 1870 the President directs that you Instruct Br-
Gen McDowELt, commanding the department %. ulc
East hold the troops IN that vicinity readiness Tor
during week h necessary protect and assist
the civil officers Of the United states IN their duty
forcing the laws The engineer troops ana all others
the harbor OF New York and vicinity Will for the occa.
sion be at his command. You Will instruct Gen Mellow
nully beforehand with the United state,
Marshal and the United States District Attorney
cert with them proper measures AMI to iv,oify rJ,i
my cal Bais upon him lor nol~ bV me- Marshal irg Pie
rsek ut ec'on ordering them In such numbers. and 60
such points in the city, as the NirJi may SIGNIFY.
Il am. sir, your obedient servant,
"wN W BElENAr. Secretary OF War.
"cHAuScEY MoHEEvEE Asst Adj tGcncrAL
"Gen W. SHERMAN,
United states Army, Washington
Gen. MCDOWELL issued his order in obe-
dience TO these Instructions and collected
several thousand men, including engineers
and artillery, from all the forts in the vi
entity. They entered the city and were
quartered here, as if a state Of war actually
existed, and were held in readiness for SER
vice" at literally a moments notice, with
one hundred and forty rounds Of ammuni-
ton for each man.
The frigates Guerrero and Narragansett
were at anchor at the foot Of Chambers
street North River, and Wall street, East
River, respectively. thus commanding the
commercial heart of the city. BELKNAP and
robson had coOperatcd in this atrocoue
work, with the full approval Of their mastcl
in the White House. These orders read like
those recently issued in Russia appointing
military Governors for certain cities, after
the attempted assassination of the En-
peror; but they had not the same excuse II
bloodshed was avoided here, it was due t.
the prudence and good sense Of the State
and municipal authorities.
Marines were also ordered out to supcrvis,
the election in Philadelphia. Gov. GEAKY
pronounced Republican, sent a message t,
the Legislature in January, 1871, from which
we quote:
1.-THE employment OF troops Of the United State, a
elections without the consent OF the local AMI state Do
ernments has recently received considerable attcnuo.
and reprehcusi0n . Under any circumstances 90
my opinion It is unsafe and antasonstc To the principle
that should govern our republican institutions Al th'
last October election United states troops stauouo
IN Philadelphia for the aSowcd purpose ot enforcing IN,
election laws THIS wasdoue without the OF ever
the knowledge OF the civil authorities OF either the city
the State AMI without any expressed desire ON the
OF She ciuzens and lar can be asccrtancd without
eNisuns necessity"
Gov. HOFFMAN in his message said to the
Legislature:
Since the adjournment Of the Legislature the Fedora
Government has assumed to interfere directly. by No.
ofhcers and armed forces with elections IN, state
The procXt was that the right OF suffrage would ~
somc way Doe denied 90 That class person, upon whom
II had been conferred 10y u|c Fifteenth Amendment u
mere ptetex for snte Legislature NJ o., la,
SESSION promptly altered our election laws ~ conform
win that amendment asst was declared uioItc
In 1876 troops were sent to Petersburg
Va, to control the election there for Con
gress. The same year Dos CAMERON, thor
Secretary Of War issued an order without
call Of any kind, and in direct violation %
the Constitution nv which A lnn c,ldio,,