The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-16

have that inh uence his conduct; there per-
haps one or two thousand republicans in the city
VINO could be influenced by low means. bur such
measures had not been resorted to: there had been
but limited attention to the payment of taxes by his
committee. but the town committees had been IN
structed to see that those who otherwise
entitled TO vote were qualified in this re-
spect; last fau there were Indications that
fraud was being attempted in Massachusett in
favor OF General Butler he said. and he thought
the federal supervision prevented its performances;
the State compared favorably with others in the
purity of its elections but even its methods might
be improved upon; did not believe in discarding
aid in securing better exercise of the right of
sutfrage the peculiar form in which the republic
tickets appeared last fall adopted to prevent
the counterfeitng in which the democratic politi-
clans are adopts, blu. of which republicans were not
guilty. He explained the trick by which the names
OF two Congressional candidates appeared on the
same ticket III such manner that they did not at
tract attention yet rendered tine vote worthless.
About the payment OF poll taxes he said he did not
voting in accordance with their convictions, but
thought the practice of having their captaton tax
paid by committees and candidates could easily DO
abused. and therefore that 1t is pernicious; had
known OF no attempt to coerce voters either directly
or indirectly.
THE MASUFAcrURRRs' MEETING.
Mr.. Wallace resumed his queries about the cir
culars. and Mr.. Crocker replied that he could not
tell exactly how many were issued; did not know
the "Faneuil Hall Circular to manufacturers
not issued and suppressed. but did know that
the Republican State Central Committee neither
issued nor suppressed it OF the called manufzc
turers meeting at the Parker House in this city he
had no personal knowledge,>but supposed it was
held to discuss and consider the campaign knew of
no money being raised at that conference and knew
OF other meeting of similar character. Mr.. Wal
lace's question whether money not poten-
tal in elections in Massachusetts objected by
Messrs. Blair and Platt and he did not press it.
Mr.. Croker said both parties used moral sIasion in
influencing voters and that promises also
ployed; the registration tax voters he considered
had resulted in bribery and corruption, which
might have been prevented by wiser and better
laws; knew OF no interference by Custom House
Post Office officials in the late election had
to believe that the manufacturers circular
was written or issued oy any republican. Mr.. Wal
politics of the Boston Herald The witness said that
last year 1t supported the republican candidate for
Governor and Mr.. Morse for Congressman; he said
that the paper not considered an organ OF the
republican party.
Adm Thayer followed Croker and said he was last
year chairman of the Republican State Committee.
and was present at the manufscturers meeting at
the Parker House in October; that meeting
vened for advice, like hundreds of others during the
campaign; no members OF the State Committee were
but it was deemed necessary to stir the people up;
there no effort to raise money or influence EN-
ployers of labor; said ut that meeting that 1.-The
campaign not partisan one. that it
was against the worst OF demagogpes-Gen-
eral Butler. who was backed by Dennis Kelrney and
Communicated that there should be general
endeavor to defeat the combination: there
suggestion whatever that workmen should be
creed in any way, was there any private consul
tation about the subsequent management of the cam
paign; the campaign was entirely anonaious-demo-
Gratis and republicans uniting in common cause;
scarcely meeting OF held last fall which
was not disturbed by Kearneys and Buffers follow
ers. and one Of the objects OF the meeting was to
bring this tact prominently forward ana rouse the
people to q sense OF their danger.
Mr.. Thayer denied all knowledge OF the 'manufac-
turers circular, and declared that federal officer
interfered either by influence money in the ece-
ton He said that the committee spent $25, OOO
in the campaign; that the Custom House and Post
Office patronage not used to influence the cleo
ton; knew of no attempt to coerce employees; had
attended several meetings during the campaign;
nothing was said about influencing employees to
honorable means should be used to induce men to
their ballots against him. His plan for the
psign was-First public speaking; next. distribu-
ton OF documents. and then to reach every
man by personal solicitation. He sent for
tine non-speakers to meet him at the Parker
Horse. to see what they could do in
aiding the work Of the campaign 1t left to each
70 what influence he pleased. his character
being guarantee it would not be exercised in an
improper manner; had no communication during
the campaign with Mr.. Gorham. secretary of the
Republican National Committee nor with Mr.. H&le
speak; had no knowledge Of any money contribu-
lions from the treasury of the National Committee
the money used by the committee was raised by
voluntary contributions; the campaign was wholly
h, nest aboveboard; he indignant that q
mittee should be called here to investigate what
every one knows to be q baseless attack upon the
republican organization.
BUTLERs COMMITTEE LISTENING TO GRIEVANCES
IN RHODE IsLAND-THE COMPLAINTS OF DE-
POSED FEDERAL OFFICIALS.
NEWPORT, August Is. 1879.
The Butler Investigating Committee resumed their
inquiry this morning at the Ocean House. Senator
Butler presiding. There were present Senators
Whyte, Beck, Chandler and Rollins Also in at
tendence were Senators Anthony and Burnside and
Senator Pendieton, of Ohio. DIR. ]. b. Greene. who
testified Thursday in regard to the Interference
of federal officers at elections and to the of
money by said officers at the polls. was recalled,
and presented original memorial which asked for
an investigation into the Custom House. where hon.
orably discharged and wounded soldiers have been
removed. the witness alleged. to make for SEN
ator Anthony's relatives and political favortes.
W. p. Sheffield asked the witness q question. but
the latter objected to answering the questions Of
counsel partc ularly the gentleman of
the parties implicated.
The committee then went into executive session
and refused to allow counsel appear either side
The investigation then proceeded. W. w. Henderson.
Jacob Symoud and half q dozen other business men
OF Providence. testfying as to the good Character
and efficiency OF the deposed Custom House officials.
John M. O'Rourke told the committee that money
had always been used to buy votes the highest
price paid tor colored mans vote was $50;
did not know what u white mans vote was worth.
but supposed that 1t was worth more than that he
had checks anu cards given to voters, who re-
ce.ved the money after voting Postmaster brayton
and Appraiser Burroughs, who is also u clio thing
dealer work ut all elections and manage them
Brayton looks after the men and sees that they vote
witness considered 1t part OF government officials
business to assist in electioneering and doing all
outside work; money was used openly; registry
paid III bulk. and until within tow years
there was understood price tor voles.
Edmund Il. Prentss. warden OF the Fourth ward
OF Providence, said that III the Spras Padelord
campaign, votes were bought openly. but the wit
refused to tell ali he knew about the fransac
tons. he was Governor Padelfords private
tary. When Mayor Clark elected money was
used freely. here again the witness declined to
eliminate himself by testitying. He explained that
men whom he had seen previously given numbere |
checks afterward received money in dark room.
He received 500 from Postmaster Brayton
work at the represent tive election. Appraiser
Burroughs ana Representative Aldrich were
present when Brayton paid the witness;
he told that he paid the same
as the rest; witness had high as $50
paid vote; the price ranged from 81 to $40 tor
votes; the republican side, he said, always wins
Rhode Island they have star actois. low comedians
supes III Rhode Island politics. and Bray ton