New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-31

whether Republicans or Democrats. Perhaps We
are never likely TO be cursed with such an era Oh
extreme corruption in politics rs ahcted TINS ci'y
from 1850 to the time of the downfall Of the Tweed
Rino The conditions were exceptional But the
annals of those years of debauchery and degrade
ton are of value for warning, rcproof and nstruc-
ton.
The first part of this volume considers some OF the
striking characteristics of this city in regard 10
population and politics and sets before the reader
great quantity Of well classified statistical iniorma
tion After brief reference to the frauds of 1897,
1874 and 1856 the author takes up the registry and
election laws as they existed in 1850. The story OF
the efforts of partisan schemers TO thwart the VIII
of the people during the stormy period OF
the war is told succincty. Year after year
the conspiratOrs grew holder In 1855, when
the Tweed Ring had secured firm foothoio
in The city, and John T. Hoffman was the'Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor, every form OF
cheating and violence was used, and Mayor hah
made himself dsgracefully conspicuous by his at
tennis to intimidate Republican challengers oil
illegal votes In 1867 repeating, violence ana
fraudulent naturalization carried on to an APP
palling extent, but the worst was to come. Inc
following year the eliminating point. MI
Davenport gives large part OF his space 10 inc
history of the frauds of 1865, which were probably
more extensive, more deliberately planned ana
more systematically executed than any others ever
known IN this Republic. The Democratic party
will never be able to keep this foul blot on Its record
out of sight. Here are few OF Mr.. Davenport
comments on these crimes against free government;
The conduct OF the Superior and supreme Couts ~ ne
City OF New York in 1868 In the matter OF 49, r
&c O1S SS s Se Tsfy up OF fraud and
forgery. and the Incarnation oI iaise as
the crime Of repeating so successfully or extensively
carried this election, and the evidences hetco
were Of the strongest possible character WINE ne con
necton Herewith prominent Democratic politician,
aud oficeholders was beyond dispute. Inere lnu
or less degree ballot had not been sturcd ana
the votes fraudulenty canynssed and returned. me
In many districts the day OF election II was
almost impossible for the chalengers to discharge thgr
duties Special deputy sheriff. repeatcrp and rougs
thronged the polls and threatened the hes OF those W
attempted TO challenge Illegal votes In t,r W.T. ~
preventing challenging, prominent Democratic ponu
clans well Democratic INSPECTORS OF eIFuoh IN
quenty aided and encouraged The OUTSIDE disturbing
The vote Of the City of NewYork was naturally
largely Democratic II the purpose OF the leaders had
been solely 10 obtain the large Democratic majority
which honestly existed the perpctIation OF ,tao h w
tiers show that the enplo ed and the extent OF inc
frauds committed 20 secure results more arreecn
the state and the Nation this band Of political pirates
sought to seize upon and govern Their steps were carry
most successfully executed. From the time when the
Courts began to naturalizeLeary IN sepISIlss ALL S
to the hour when the Board ct snleryiSoTs hnaS GD
clared result OF the official CANVASS every step ih
made, part OF "clIfhhbhs'i
deliberately planned conspiracy the evidences oil Wch
must be apparent 70 the most casual reader
Mr. Davenport concludes that There are no tests
which can be applied 10 the vote of this year lN6S
which do not clearly demonstrate that III the CITY
of New-York alone there canvasscd returned
and allowed to the Democratic candidates at least
1000 fraudulent votes
The efforts of the Union League Club in 1853 to
obtain legislation to lessen the opportunities for
such crimes were successful far as the Lcgisa-
ture was concerned but were defeated by Governor
Hoffman who as Mr.. Davenport justly says. hcld
his office by means of fraud and corruption never
before eoualled.' On account Of this action of the
Governor both thc registration and election IN o6"
were largely tainted with fraud. In 1870 the
National election laws enforced for the irst
time and in spite of the desperate efforts OF the
Democrats to make them nugatory important ana
valuable results were accomplished. The hostility
of the Democratic party to those laws, which kept
down its maorties in thus city to something like
honest limits, has never ceased from that day to
this. and that hostility has been manifested often
in outrageous forms against those concerned IN en-
forcing these just and necessary statutes. In the
second and concluding volume Of his work, which
will be published late in 1851 or carly in lSs2 Mr.
Davenport will present the history Of the preventive
action taken against the repetition OF the frauds
which he has described. This coming volume will
cover the years from 1870 to lsSl.