New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-01
WORKING THE ALMSHOUSES
TANIMANY TRYING TO FORCE THE PAUPER
VOTE HER WAY.
ADDITIONAL INTERESTING FACTS BROUGHT OUT
BY THE FASsEcT INvDsTIGArING
COMMITTEE.

man. after inquiry into the measures taken by the
police to prevent and detect fraudulent registration.
Mr.. Bcardman shared with Mr.. WINS the Labor Of
examining the numerous witnesses who testified on this
subject. Mr. lvns in fact, went away before re
cess. and left the field to Mr. Boadman for the rest
OF the day. senator Fassett was not present at any
time, and senator McNaughton presided. Ex-Corpors-
ton Counsel Beekman listener 10 the testimony
and took notes Of IT, Police Captain Philip Cassidy.
Of the Eleventh Precinct. that the registry lists
had been examined and compared with the guest lists
of lodging houses in his precinct and that warrants
for the arrest Of persons who registered falsely were
apphed Tor Captain Cassidy mentioned a difficulty
in detecting fraudulent registration from lodging
houses, which was also referred to by many Of tic
witnesses who succeeded him. II is that dodgers in
cheap lodging houses often men in reduced cir
cumstances who ashamed TO give their true names
TO the lodging house clerks and give fictitious bat
register for voting purposes By their correct names.
Inspector Alexander ;. Williams said that while
cheap odginghouses the resort OF the criminals
of the lower class. it be understood that
the fact that poor man lived in cheap lodging house
prima face evidence that he criminal.
The chances arestng people who registered illegally
were the Inspector held, much better election day
than before IL.
Captain John J. Brogan, of the Fifteenth Precinct:
Captain John II. McCuagh, Of the Fourteenth Pre-
cinct; Captain Meakim, of the Tenth Precinct, and
Captain John McCullagh, OF the Sixth Precinct all
testified that they took prevent fraudulent
voting by detailing men 10 examine the lodging house
lists and compare them with the registration lists.
When fraudulent registration detected warrants
for the offenders obtained. Some warrants have
already been applied for, and plan-cothes men, Will
be the polls 10 make arrests II the pretenders should
attempt 10 vote.
Would it be possible for you TO arrest these men
before election day" young Captain McCulagh
was asked.
There would be great difficulty" he answered.
We wait until tine completion of the registry lists be
fore We make Investigation
Wouldn't it be possible for you TO get the names
registered on the first day and begin theni'
Nothing is impossible" the Captain said but he
added that it would take up too much time II a man
had TO make than one visit to lodging house.
Besides it easy TO make arrests election day.
Fraudulent voters generally went TO the polls early
az or 80 a. m, and officers would be waiting for
them.
Then the witness stand adorned by long string
OF representatives OF the Bowery lodging house pro-
prietors managers and clerks, some gittering with
diamonds and well oiled TO their hair others out
at elbow all ignorant and nnocent-by their profess
sonsof the practice of selling votes and all, by their
professions, eager to assist the police in keeping the
polls clean.
John Smith, proprietor of the Windsor Theatre Hotel,
at No. Al Bowery, was asked by Mr.. Boariman about
a man named Reilly. There's quite some Reilys IN
the house, said Mr. Smith.
What are their names ?"
They re all Iieillys. (Laughter.)
1t appeared that the hotel cerks' Of the Bowery, -
a rule don't take the trouble to lind out the 'front.'
name of a lodger. This, Of course, offers another
obstacle to the finding out Of fraudulent registration
Mr.. smith, however, said that the names of some
suspects from his house were in the possession OK
detectives He cheerfuIly acknowledged that he had
been arrested and convicted last January year ago.
for peddlng votes; but he had not engaged In any
transactions of that kind this time.
l. W. Turner said that he was one of the proprietors
of the Phoenix House, at No. 53 Bowery There were
$50 beds in the house and average Of from $50 To
go dodgers nightly.
You're pretty full all the year around :" suggested
Mr.. Boardman.
Not personally" said the witness with grave con-
Germ.
Mr. Turner never had any application made to him
to deal in votes. Pm Democrat he said, and
have partner that is Republican, and between tho
two OF keep pretty good track of tp.nss.'
Most OF the lodging house witnesses said that
detectives had called at their places 10 examine the
lists.
Edward Stanley, Of the Arcade Hotel, like
the Others that no one had approached him on the
subject of selling votes But ledger named Muhleld
took the stand and admitted after prevarcaton
that two unknown men had called and sounded him
about election matters, and he had referred them u
stanley saying that " he was the proper person To
because
well of stanley and would vote as he told them.'
William r. Stocking warden OF the Branch Work
house at Harris Island stated that he had been called
upon by emissares OF Richard Croker WHO talked To
him cautiously about the importance Of getting good
vote out from the island one OF these men WAS
William J. Hickey, a pember % the State Democratic
Committee.
"He also told that he belonged 70 Tammany
Hail. said Mr. Stocking. 81 met him and another
gentleman in my house at Harris Island on saturday.
have forgotten the other mans name, but would
know him if saw him again. Mr. Hickey brought
me letter Of Introduction from the president OF the
department, II. II. Porter. l asked MIN what
his business was. He said that he had come to sec
if all the men on Harris Island who were entitled to
vote had been registered | told him that all Of the
men my payroll who were entitled TO vote had
either registered or would register that afternoon
During your interview with Mr.. Hickey did he show
you any documents J" - a.,
=" Yes, he showed me letter signed by Richard
Croker. The pUrport of 1t was that Croker
approved his method OF conducting The campaign ana
advised him to see one or Two gentlemen who's Names
mentioned IN the letter Nr GilrOy, Think
OF the names. The Others am not sure
What did Mr.. Hickey, say about the votes of pau
He said there was a very close election in tho
assembly District aeros, the sh river There Was so
he beIns a rammany man. think the name he men:
toned Ryan. and he was very anxious to secaTs
him knew nothing about &c merits Of these gentle
men. lie then dsAtu IL thcIc "cIc dHy PduPcfo ia
my institution entitled vote said IL there
any they were under the same rules others COM
mitted by magistrates, and certainly would not al
low them 10 vote unless they discharged BY the
Commits sioners He asked me what MY political party
was 1 told him 1 not politician. lie asked
/ a Republican. said not exactly; that had
OF different tickets the last cleo
ton and very independent. Ike and the gentle
man with him said that In 1879 there some forty
votes secured In Harris Island which were east In
CITY Island | said there at that time Harris
l. Iand Hospital in which there might be compe-
tenn IN vote that institution has been abolished
Did he say 10 you In substance Well, the Repub-
licans are pushing things, and want you TO do all
Won can for my man Ryan,
- Yes sir: just exactly that
You swear that he referred to the paupers7 ~
OH yes SIR twice. lie said he had Dr. Egau
and Egan had promised to secure some votes at The
lower end OF the island
:. At the lunatc asylum p
Yes There forty or fifty attendants there
During the rest of the investigation more lodging
house clerks were the stand The evidence yielded
tine names Of several men wlo stand In suspicion Of