New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-27
A CUSTOM HOUSE DISGRACE.
DEMOCRATIC PARTISAN WORK THERE.
aEpuBLlcAXs PROTESTING AGAINST DEPUTY
COLLECTOR MCLEILANp-Hls CAREER As
wEsuxrsrxs COUNTY POLITICIAN.


Collector Charles P. McCleIland. and expressing
the indignation Of Republicans in general against
the occupancy Of such N important place by
4 Democrat OF McClellands character and record
A month has passed and the mystery remains
involved McClelland still holds his place as
Colonel Erhardts 1ighthand man and the ac-
knowledged power behind the Collector An
ample oppoxtunity was given to Mr.. Erhardt TO
vipdIcate his policy in keeping in office such a
violent partisan. such Democratic pull
doxer." but all the Collector chose to say about
the subject was. in substance, TO bid defiance TO
everybody who had the temerity to, criticise the
man whom he delights to honor.
This summary method Of dealing with the
subject may he entirely satisfactory to Mr..
Erhardt but it II most exasperating TO the
Leaders and members Of the party to which he
acknowledges allegiance. Nothing that has
been done or left undone since the Inauguration
Of General Harrison has angered the Hepupiicah'
Of New-York " much a. this. and cert"ihiy
no oct of any Federal official has done more harm.
Friends Of Senator Robertson do not hesitate 10
cay that McClcllands retention in Office cost Mr..
Robertson 500 votes and no one familiar with
McClellands political record in Westchester County
will doubt the truth Of this declaration. Id
be hardly correct to say that he is to Westches'cr
County what Senator German Is to Maryland
but II President Harrison should suddenly appoint
The MARYLAND .boss" or one Of his lieutenants.
Eugene Higgins, for instance. Collector OF Haiti
more, the party in that State would not oe more
demoralized and disguised than are the Republic
cans Of Westchester at present 10 understand
fully the intensity Of their feeling II is necessary
to refer again to McClellands political career.
Il has been somewhat varied. lie came here
from Scotland, 1t is sad about dozen years
ago. At first he was known as Republican and
an Episcopalan. Then he came around on the
Prohibition tack and also became Presbyterian
Next he was found In the Democratic camp. lie
seems to have changed his religious belief as often
- he did his political faith for he
10 now pillar in the Methodist Church at Dobhs
Ferry, where he lives. Possessing sufficient nat
ursl ability and loyal knowledge Ia make him
conspicuous in Democratic circles. he gradually
came to the front. and finally was elected member
Of the Assembly from that district This gave him
Q grip on the Democracy Of the county lie de-
veloped into one Of it's most active leaders, HIS
methods commended him 10 the worst element
Of the party. and with the assistance OF such men
% Andrew Field. "Bill' Groney. Hugh DowDey
and other shining Democratic lights OF Dobbs
Ferry, he became o recognized power in the county
His influence was sufficient to secure for him
the appointment deputy collector under the
administration OF that rcformer from 81 Law
renee County, Daniel Magone.
OF his record under Mr. Magone It Is unnec-
essary 70 speak at any length. How. while posin.
- . defender Of Civil Service REFORM he bounded
Republicans out OF Office; how he ran conventions
in Westchester County in utter disregard Of all
his professions Of political pie,y. and
how be used his influence in the
Custom House to build up his party
and particularly his own personal following. have
been told again and again in The Tribune. 1t Is
only necessary to dwell upon the browning feature
Of his career under the recent Administration. his
outrageous action on Election Day, 1858, whereby
thirty-two Republican voters were deprived OF
their right Of suffrage by methods as brutal and
lawless as any in vogue south OF Maton ana
Dixons Line The story Of McCelland's shameful
work on that day has never been told before, ca
cept IN . general way. Here are the facts. AZ
vouched for by the most reputable citizens in
Westehester County, who were witnesses of What
took place.
On the day before election McClclland and
some other members OF the Democratic !ing In
Dobbs Ferry devised a plan for preventing thirty
two negroes who were employed on the Acueduct
from voting the Republican ticket. ilcsr
negroes had voted at the preceding
election. They were registered, and had as
that made no difference with McCleand. though
be was then president Of the village. lie tcnt for
Jack Francis, who fought prize-fght on Iona
Island, and now keeps o rum-shop In Dobhs Ferry.
and for another burly loafer Of the town. one
sCyutch" ConIElly, and swOre them in as deputy
sherifs These fellows and others OF the same
Kind received their orders and they carried them
ont next day 10 the letter. Rumors Of what had
been done reached the members OF the Harrison
and Morton Club. These members resolved to do wha
they could 10 protect the rights Of the Republican
voters. David Lindlcy, son-in-law OF Cyrus W.
Field, ID. o. Bradley, president Of the Tarrytown
National Bank, John =. Wood, manager Of the
McComb property, and other well-known Repub-
licAns, were early ct the polls. So were the Dem
ocrsho deputies with tic pfizc-hghter Francis In
command, The negroes arrived. Their leader,
On intelligent muLatto. who hal Just recovered
frU@ pulmonary sickness. entered the ROOM iiS
yas immedis'sly confronted WY by lonely lam, amo
Ssposa. his ballot This aroused ne wrath
Of the rufians. Connolly grabbed him. end by
superior strength rushed the negro outside The
door and pushed him against the side OF the al
joining building. Francis followed closely The
negro was ovrrpowercd. and, owing TO his en-
feebed condition. was completely in the powcl
Of the ruif.ans. They. however, showed him NJ
| mercy. Connolly piniOned his hands. and whil'
Be was in this hell less condition the brute Francis
face until, as witness said. lit was pcrfec
! Selly" They probably would have killed 'hc mai
I'D not Mr.. Bradley, Mr. Ward and the othc
Republicans come 10 his rescue. and thry did thi
q the risk OF being assaulted themselves. Ne
Clelland meantime stood by and laughed heartily
d the proceeding Nnt the Ontrng" did not enc
ere. Although nearly dead. the negro wa
oasehed OF 70 the lookup. and. in spite Of al ;l
Potrsts Of the crowd. respectable Democrats a
IeW ~ Republicans. he was locked 40 wi,hon
ven the preten~e OF a formal complaint bciE!
,sde against him. Justice Storm was appcale.
hut In vain. McClelland memorable Al
- authority was IN his hands. and he refused =
iheruer the prisoner until the polls closed. TIN
ndienation OF respectable citizens was unboundetl
M Methodist minister. 10 Whose church Met lei
Ill. ed tho criUc In SIooroif