New-York tribune., 1885-10-23
SEEKING THE COLUMBUS FORGERs.

STATE AUDITOR KIEsEwETTER MAKES STATE
MENT-THE PARTISAN SUPREME COURT.
CoLUMBus, Oct % Especially. Renewed in
terest was manifested to-day in the work Of ferrettng
out the men who manipulated the Thirteenth Ward
election returns Emil Kesewetter, Auditor OF state,
was out OF the city yesterday, and his state
mept could not be obtained In refer
epce to his visit to the Court House on
Sunday night This morning after consultation with
his attorney he gave out the following statement:
After the official count commenced at the Court House
on Friday neither talked with any candidate
or anv member the Democratic Executive Committee
nor any else about the election until sunday even
ing; w1en, about 1918 o'clock, after had
retired Edward W. Young called at my house, got me up
out OF bed and said that H. j. Booth, his attorney had
sent him down to to get a blank tally sheet
which Mr.. Booth wanted to use in his
argument the next day before the Canvassing,
Board and also the preparation Of an article which
was TO appear The Times the next day. told Young
that had nothing to do with the blank tally shee hat
he would have to go to the Clerk OF the Court II
he wanted one He tnen asked me where
Theodore Beck lived I told him, and he asked
ME then TO accompany him to Theodore Beck
70 procure tally sheet for the purpose
which he had already stated Mr., Yog1G sad that he
would return tally sheet tho next day Upon thS
representation consented TO to Mr. Beck with hin
We both Mr.. Becks house. and then repeated
10 Mr. Beck the representa- made to me by Mr
Youpg Mr. Beck said that he thought 1t was all rlgh
and he would 20 to the Court House and give us a
blank tally sheet Mr. Young and then started to the
Court House. Mr.. Beck followed soon after We went
into tho Clerks Office Mr.. Beck then procured from
n drawer n blank tally sheet and handed II to me. l
handed II to Mr. Young. We then LETT the court hose'
Mr. Peck going south TO his home; MT Young, nor M
and went across Frechs to get cigar FROM there
went home and went to bed. neither saw nor htaru
ANYTHING about the election, returns from ths
time until the next day, when hearu OF tne iI iranI
that had been perpetrated III the Thirteenth ward
returns. We not III tDe ctrk op,re
TO exceed two minutes, saw nobody else Desldes MT
Reck MIR Young and the two night watchmen. lhls Is
ali know about that tally sheet hateVef WIS uohe
NV me m al night was done In good faith ana win the
hest OF motives and dcpore as much as anybody can
The existence OF such shameful ifaud as thal aepeu
in the Thirteenth Ward returns. desire as uuch as
anybody the reIpetrator or perpetrators OF that
brought TO justice. As evidence OF tni> you may
say that IN addiflOn the offers that have alrehdy
been made offer 500 reward Tor the arrest anu
conviction the perpctratOr or perpetrators OF that
fraud.
II does not appear from anything learned SO ar that
that tally sheet had anything TO do with the fraud
whatever future developments may show. 1t VIII be
observed that Mr. Keisewetter that MT senbe the
vatcbman knew that he and Mr. Young we're
ar the Court House. which is In cOhnIct
with Mr. steuoes en,Han stademeh' r,,nt u" Fresh
rumors are aoat daily in regard to the perpetrators
of the fraud The atc. report connects the name OF
xounc Democratic Oce-hOder with the affair, ana mas
that he has left town on that account IL was eeeu
tally sheet of the Thirteenth Ward and his request Ws
refnsed lie was \ candidate for reelection thls IAN
leading Democratic politicians are In consultation 10
night and ii would surprise anybody the preSGni
into the seat the legislative delegation from
Hamilton County.