The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-04

the investigation will go speedily as possible.
THE SECRET OF THE STRUGGLE IN THE POLICE
BoARD-REAsoNs WHY INSPECTORS OF ELEc-
TON ARE VALUABLE TO POLITICAL PARTIES.
The ferceness of the struggle over the appoint
ment of inspectors of election has set many persons
to thinking about what particular advantages 1t can
be to one or the other of the political parties or
factions to secure those positions for their own
especial friends. The Police Board. which controls
the election bureau. is divided evenly between
democrats and republicans and the law in its pater
nal protection ybody's interests and rights.
has wisely provided that the four inspectors OF cleo
ton in each district shall be similarly partitioned
between the two great political organizations Thus
all those worthy citizens who profess indie
pendence in politics and enthusiasm in reform. and
they ask how. under such circumstances, it can
benefit tho anti-Tammany organization to secure
both the democratic inspectors in each
district. and why Tarnmany makes much fuss
the attempt to rule out of the inspectorships
all democrats belonging to the Tammany organiza-
ton. Tho inspectorship mudd!e formed the subject
of conversation in one of the democratic committee
rooms last evening among group Of visitors. and
the views stated above having been expressed. gen.
tleman who boosted Of having for many years per-
formed the duties of inspector in a downtown ward
asked his opinion as to whether any advantage
derived from having friendly hands at the poll
lists and ballot boxes.
..Why, bless your SOUL" was the reply, "it's more
than half the battle smart inspector who knows
what he il about always knows enough to secure his
own election as chairman OF the board OF inspectors
AID when he has gained this position he has the
whole business under his control. The chairman
stands at the box and receives the ballots. AS he
calls tho OF the voter his associates have To find
it their poll lists, and while they are doing that
he has plenty of time for little jokes.
'But under the existing law making an equal
division of inspectors between the political parties
do they not watch each other closely enough to pre-
ber?'' 80 81 q,
Fudge! The inspectors on both sides taken
from the most shrewd and INSCRIPTIONS of the ward
politicians Most OF them have served an appren-
tceship at the registration books and ballot boxes
Under present law the four inspectors in each
election district required to get together openly
and publicly and organize as board by electing
of their number chairman II no choice is made
within fifteen mnutes after the meeting takes place
the chairman is to lie chosen by lot This is all very
well far outside show is concerned. but the in
spectors, although OF different parties intimately
known to each other in the district they repre-
sent and each is aware of the little games in
which his associates are interested. They almost
invariably hold preliminary caucus among them
selves tor the purpose of settling in advance who
shall be chairman. Perhaps OF the number
handling tickets, and is very anxious to be chair
man. There is great deal OF wrangling. and then
the democrat says to the two republican inspectors
or vice versa, the case may be-'Now what in
and so do you want anyway The answer may
| good lift. My bread and butter depends that.
and the majority against him can't be much. any
| you be 'contentedY And so the trading goes on.
| Sometimes agreement is made and sometimes
| not. In the latter each side depends on the
smartness OF its men. but generally these ward
| follows know each other well, and work together
| tor their personal interests
''But regular registration lists ut the polls,
and every vote is checked by three inspectors.
do not how man, II ever so capable OF cheat
| ing, can do anything wrong with the ballots The
ballots counted before they opened. and il
there in the box greater number than the poll
list calls for the surplus Is taken out by person
who utterly unable to tell what ballot he draws
| from the box and destroys.
"That's just where little joker comes in.
Here s district with the republican and democratic
vote pretty evenly divided suppose a smart ill.,
Course of the dsy 20 slip twenty or thirty votes
| all OF his own party, into certain box When the
count made and it is found that the ballots
coed the poll list the number in excess is drawn
from the box aud the chances that the opposi-
ton loses at least many votes lost by the
smart inspectors side. All tins is clear gain
''Do you to say that it is possible for the in
spector who handles the ballots to put in the
boxes without being seen when 50 many eyes are
| upon him?" e
..see herel Have you been to those prestidig
itaton performances? Have you ever u sleight
OF hand bum playing his tricks in barroom Tor
drinks and coppers? II you have you've
pack OF ffty-two cards disappear like fash and at
terward seen em pulled out of the leg OF your own
pantaloons. and I'll bet my bottom dollar you
couldn't tell how it was done. Why. know men
who can do with ballot just as wonderful tricks
you done with pack OF cards. and all
well. nobody could detect them any than your
own eyes keep track of conjurer's fingers.
Watch poll when the unopened ballots counted
to tally the poll lists i'll close and hot election and
see how many double ballots. or ballots folded
ono within the other. are found in q box.
Are you So green as to suppose that
sharp inspector would not have detected them II
he had wanted do SO? Such ballots destroyed
II the number III the box overruns the total tue
poll list but not otherwise. Nov suppose for every
doub ballot thus put into the box one ballot OF
the opposite side finds its way to the floor up
sleeve instead of into the box. Don't it follow
that there will not be founa excess OF ballots in
the box the two votes accidentally caught
together will both OF them stick Why my friend.
have seen careful inspector accidentally drop
number of ballots on the moor while emptying a
box, and his cousclentiousness has been such That
he has appealed to some one else to pick them up
that collision or cheating might be suspected.
Do you suppose the little accident has made no
change in the count. Well, if you do. your political
canvassing education has been neglected. that's ALL.
"But these things be done now? o. course
they may have been done under Tweed. but have we
not now better laws and better-or. at least. less
reckless men i'll charge OF the polls?
"Why. have seen and known these things have
been done almost every year on some candidate or
other ever since tho Tweed Ring was overthrow.
In the old days and under the old laws the mode OF
operation was different There have been times
when it only necessary TO send word to this or
that district thai so much majority was wanted for
this that candidate aud 1T was forthcoming
Things have to be managed more prudently and less
openly nowadays and the new laws compel resort
to the more skiltul manipuiations to which have
alluded"
..If as you say. the inspectors as a rule are well
acquainted familiar with each others particular
polcal interests and ready to cheat for each other
what difference can it make to the republicans
whether the democratic Inspectors are Tainmany
antiTaminany, or to the aiti-Tammanyitcs il they
have or both inspectors their slider
why, this year 1t makes very great difference
II the anti-Tanmany side has both the democratic
inspectors, it can slug Kelly by making bargains
with the republican inspectors To give them Robin
votes in return for votes for such candidates as
they personally interested in. But the main |
anxiety of the anti-Tammany party about the in |
spoctors has reference to the vote Tor Aldermen.
Mayor Cooper been crippled by hostile board.
or which he has made hostile TO HIM since his
election. Before ne out of Office he has yet to
appoint Comptroller and missioner of Public
hpstl las n IN a We n