New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-09
Ne W. YORK.
FRAUDS IN ALBANY.
HOW ELECTION RETURNS IN THE 18TH WARD WE'RE
CHANGED TO DEFEAT REPUBLICANs.

HOW ELECTION RETURNS IN THE 18TH WARD WERE
CHANGED TO DEFEAT REPUBLICANS.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
ALBANY, Nov. S.-A brazen attempt to dcfrand
the successful Republican candidates for County
Treasurer John Battersbyl and for Coroner John
McDermott) was discovered to-day, and excited
the greatest indignation. On the night Of
election The Albany Journal received from the
United States Supervisors of Elections in the West
crn District of the Twelfth Ward return giving
Gallup, Democratic candidate for County Trea-
surer 459 votes and Battcrsby Rep.) 209. From
the Eastern district of the same ward trustworthy
returns received giving Gallup 276 and Bat
tersby 14O. From these sources of information
The ArGus Express Press and Times received the
same figures aud published them. The police au-
thorities, who receive copies OF returns, had the
same figures. Battersbys majority IN the county
was given as 10 in The journal on
Thursday and McDemott's at 14G. Yesterday it
was reported that efforts were being made by
Democrats to count out both Battersby and Nc
Dermott. The Journal reporters at once demanded
access to the official returns at the County Clerks
Office, and we're shown all except those from
the two districts OF the twelfth
Ward. These could not he found, and
several searches for them later in the day
failed to bring them to light. This morning the
returns were found on file in their places. in the
Western District the returns now show 400 for Cal
lup and 900 for Battersby, 40 votes
having been taken from Battersbv and given to
Gallup. The traces of the use of chemicals to re,
move the first returns are distinctly visible, and
they have been so incompletely obiterated that IL
is possible to decipher the original and correct re-
turns under the new and fraudulent hguTes. In
the Eastern District an entirely new sheet
Of country returns has been substituted giving
Gallup 236 and Battersby 120. In this district ~
votes are taken from Battersby and added to Gal,
lup The change of 60 votes IN the Twelfth W ara
from tho Republican to the Democratic
candidate Just overcomes Battersbys 3 majority OF
10. and If unchaenged would elect Gallup ny lO
majority The same fraud has been practised on
McDcrmott. AS his majority was larger. however
03 votes were changed in the Western Dis
trct and % In the Eastern thus overcoming VIC
Dermotts majority Of l.460 The federai
Supervisor. Republican inspectors OF electons ana
pOlclerk of the Western district have all sworn 10
the accuracy of the original returns ana the he-
publican inspectors and witness OF the Eastern ns
trict have sworn to the accuracy OF the orlgihai
returns from that district. Battersby ana Mclef-
mott have taken prompt measures 10 preyent 'ne
cansllmmation of the fraud. An investigation IL
being held before the police court and the arrest ol
several Democrats VINO suspected OF having
planned the fraud is probable before morning;
he matter is ~ the hands OF ex-senator iiaiiis;
IL the ward ia thrown out, Cleveland VIII lose 3sS
votes. The Journal calls for prompt lhVesiiea-
ton.