The New York herald., 1879-02-01
INVESTIGATING DAVENPORT.

INVESTIGATING DAVENPORT.
SEVERAL CITIZENS CLAIM THAT THEY WERE DE-
TERED FROM VOTING BY THREATS OF I'M
PRIsoNMENT-M MOTIONS EXPERIENCE.
The evidence taken before the Congressional In
vestgating Committee resumed yesterday before
large audience of politicians and citizens interested
in the result. There was nothing of special import
ance ELECTED from the large number of witnesses
amined. and those who were present in expectation
of hearing Mr.. Davenport address the committee in
his own defence disappointed.
Michael Obright was recalled. and handed
paper purporting to be voluntary surrender of his
naturalization papers.
''That is wrong" said Mr.. Obright. II did not
voluntarily surrender my naturalization papers.
You said you would examine them, and that they
would be returned to me-
"Who so informed you?" said Mr. Davenport.
you yourself" was the answer. II paid So for
those papers and want them
II guess you'll have to wait awhile" replied Mr..
Davenport.
Arnold Lustig, real estate owner at No. 511 Fifth
avenue, to this country in 1863 and was natur
allied in 1868; when he went to register he learned
that these papers were looked upon as illegal; he
went to Commissioner Davenport but received
satisfaction; he consulted with Judge Choate and
could vote them; did So and considered his
arrest was outrage
Patrick j. Dugan said he served in the Marine
corps, and naturazed in 1868 on his discharge
papers He registered and swore in his vote on cleo
ton day. and was arrested He was taken before
Commissioner Deuel. and sent to Ludlow Street Jail,
where he kept until the following Thursday.
Commissioner Davenport offered in evidence
Dugan's application for papers, showing that they
were taken out as u minor.
Edward Hall, of No. All Second avenue was next
called He was an inspector OF election in the Six
duxr f1ap
can supervisor objected to receiving ctizens vote;
witness insisted. and it was sworn in; the Marshal
then arrested the party this intimdated others with
1868 papers from coming to the polls ut least fifteen
in his district kept away this account; man,
named KOCH who had 1868 papers when ne ne came came
away, but came back after while and, offering to
vote the combination ticket put it in the box and
Sigmund Klingstein was next called. He testified
that when he received notice that his papers, dated
in 1868 were illegal he saw Commissioner Davcn-
port who took them away and told him he would be
obliged to take out papers he took advice in the
matter and got duplicate papers of the superior
Court and voted upon them; he was arrested anu
taken to republican headquarters, but allowed to
20 on his own recognizance.
ONLY MISTAKE
81 Mr.. Davenport aItcrward' said the witness,
'.and he said he guessed it was "a mistake
HE made 5000 just such mistakes" remarked
Ellery Anderson, OF counsel tor the committee
Thomas j. Butler was u supervisor in the Seventh
Assembly district He said tina. a man named Poe,
having 1868 papers, came to the polling place, but
did not vote when threatened with arrest short
time afterward man named Denny. also with 1858
papers, but republican to the poll and voted
without any remark. When Of the supervisors
asked why this man not arrested the republican
supervisor said he didn't have the warrant with him
then.
Herman Lenge served in the Second New York
airy and took out naturalization papers his dis
charge in 1863 Did not vote Tor iear OF being ar
rested.
Albert N. White. keeper of the Morgue at Bellevue
marshal came to the hospital with warrants
for the arrest of about twenty-five men en-
poyed in the hospital. Two of them, Jeremiah Ma,
honey and Peter Rose, arrested. He hurried
with Colonel Wingate to the Post Once and got in
after considerable trouble. They had long inter
view with Mr. Davenport and the men were released
on bail at a late hour. Some of the men for whom
warrants issued. he said had been in the hos
pital many years. All of the men We're there
when the marshal came with the warrants but he
seemeS AFRAID to make the arrests.
Marehnl Payn the next witness. He testified
that com plants had been made against the mar
shals, and cinphatcaly declared that they were not
appointed by Mr. Davenport or at his suggestion. ex,
cept small number whom he may have recommended
for the positions the warrants used by Commissioner
Davenport did not go directly to the marshals, but
to the supervisors lac did not consider TINS proper
method of issuing these warrants; witness was asked
the cost of these proceedings upon the govern
ment. but the question was ruled out.
John Willing testified that he was veteran or the
Mexican and of the war of the rebellion; had
served in the army and navy and had been voter
tor thirty y-three years; last election day he
arrested and brought before Commissioner Davcn-
port, who discharged him, saying his arrest was
mistake.
Michael Norton the next witness. He bad
hardly been sworn when he cried out, Its nasty
shame that one man can make rules for whole
city"
Just keep quiet. Michael" said counsel.
"lIow can keep quiet and TALK? retorted the wit
ness. daughter in the court room
Witness then told of his going to the polls and learn
ing the way that he would be arrested il he voted =
went to the polls, however, and one of the marshals
comes TO and whispers to me, mike Norton, IL
you I'll arrest you "By gorra. says !, 'Pll so
round little iirst il won't do TO be arrested so early
il I'm to get nights lodging Ill wait till the even
ing:'' went home to the old woman and told her
expected to be locked up-igrcat laughter)-aiter a
little recreation I went back to the polls. but
Davenports hounds waiting for me; ''thats
Mike Norton. said one of them. arrest him =
.uoud," says l. IL havnt voted YETI; - turned away
bit aud then began to think of tho poor devils down
in the City Hall without grub water to drink then
Isays myself. alike Norton. go home and keep
yourself away from these hounds OF Davenport. and
so l did. Great larghter)
After brief and unimportant examination OF Com
missioner Little and John Foley the committee ad-
journed to this morning at half-past ten.