The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-30
Two Sorts Of Supervisors.

In legislating the political machinery OF
supervisors Of elections into existence, the
Republicans had nothing but party success
In view. The managers were then looking
forward to a second term OF Grantism, and
they wanted an invention whereby the DEM
ocratic majority here could be SO cut down
that expected Republican majorities from
the rural districts would carry this State.
That was the real inspiration OF the scheme,
Independent OF the large fees and perqui-
~.-'si'o Oris'uaf appointment or Supervisors
anu special deputy marshals was author
lied by the act OF July II, 1870 but in that
form they had no real partisan value, and
were only permitted TO appear at the polls
as witnesses OF the election, or what is
familiarly known as watchers. In this
capacity they could only be used like other
witnesses, TO testify in court. upon an
alleged violation Of the elective franchise.
as to events which had occurred in their
presence.
But instead Of this, We now have the
partisan scheme Of Mr.. JOHN l. DAvEyPoRr
charging the operation of the former act.
and creating an unlimited number OF super-
visors and deputy marshas at s. day.
who can be utilized as electioneering agents
ana be provided with power to arrest per-
sons standing in their way, without process
OF any kind, and entirely at their own ca
price. The substance of this scheme is as
Iollows:
src 2,oii Whenever in any city town having up
ward Of twenty thousand Inhabitants there are non e
pns hereo who prior 20 any registration OF voters An
seeton for Representative Delegate in the Congress Of
The United States. prior any election at which Rem
resenauve or Delegate In Congress be voted for may
MAKE known III writing 10 tie Judge Of the Circuit Court
Hihe United States Tor the circuit wherein such city or
Town situated their desire have such registration
Or such election. both guarded aud scrutnized The
'udge within not less than days prior to the regis
Hauon one there be, II no registration be required
"hn not less than ten days prior to the election shall
open the court at the convenient point in tie cir
suit The Court shall proceed to appoint two citizens
residents Of the city town who shall be able 10 read
ana write the English language and be designated as SUI
erVisors OF election with power revoke change or
renew such appointment lrom time to tme'
SEC 2,022 The marshal and his general deputies and
such special deputies shah keep the peace and suppot
ana protect the supervisors Of election In the dschare
eir duties preserve order at such places regstra
aon and at such polls prevent fraudulent registration
ind hAudulent voting thereat fraudulent conduct on
The part Of any officer election and Immediately either
NNe pace OF registration or polling place or else where
ana either before after registering or voting arrest
ina take into custody, with WiI1d pro any person
hho commits OF attempts offers to commit am o6.
igainst the laws Of the United States The supervisors
ha In The absence Of the marshals deputies or # re.
cured 10 assist such deputies have e same duties and
powers As deputy marshals"
1t is thus seen that the marshal, his gem |
eral deputies, his special deputies, and tho |
supervisors, were all authorized to arrest |
whomsoeyer they pleased without pro-
cess" upon charges made by themselves,
and OF the truth Of which they were to be |
the sole Judges. They could do this before
an election, "a Chief Supervisor DAvENPoRr |
did when he ordered over three thousand
arrests to be made In tho interest Of his
party, including many Of our most respon-
slblc citizens. The investigation in Philadel.
phia, by the WALLACE-TELLER Committee
proved that tho deputy marshals appointed
there were all Republican politicians of the
worst stripe, many Of them graduates from
the Penitentiary gamblers, thieves, bullies.
ana scoundrels OF the lowest class, who held
the personal liberty Of property holders and
Tile better portion OF the community at their
mercy.
What was true of Philadelphia was doubt
less equally true in all the large cities
whore these deputies were employed at the
pubic expense 10 manage elections in their
own INSCRIPTIONS way. This is the law in
regard to the cities and towns OF twenty
Thousand inhabitants but, as has been said.
IL was invented specially for New York, ms
mode OF overcoming or diminishing the
Democratic majority by the intimidation.
arrest and Imprisonment Of legal voters
Nho mad committed no offence excont TO on
bCee the Republican ticket. TLat was the