New-York tribune., 1890-08-08

STEALING
"The Democracy of Albany has been stealing cleo
ons in this city county for the last twenty years.
said George y. Southwick, Editor of The Albany
Journal" to-day land this country needs Federal
Election law equally much as Yazoo County, Missis
sippi, or Conway County, Arkansas. do not go
South for my arguments in favor of the proposed
Election law, find them in abundance here In
Albany"
Mr. southwick recalled various Democratic thefts in
ths city and county, including two Mayorships, one
seat in Congress- three seats in the Assembly and
score of minor offices. lie pointed out that in 1872
Edmund L. Judson elected Mayor of Albany and
counted ont Daniel Manning at that time was boss
of the local Democracy. The contest Close owing
to a third candidate in the field Thomas McCarty an
independent Democrat. When the other districts had
returned their votes and George ii. Thacher, the
regular Democratic candidate. known to be de-
feated. the order given to do business" In the
southern district of the Fourth Ward. The polling
place was in the South Ferry slip on the river front
The lights were extinguished and fixed" ballotbox
was substituted for the that had been in use
through the day. At that time all three inspectors OF
election in the district Democrats the inspectors
being elected and the job easily done Mr. Thacher
being declared elected by plurality OF POI. Mr. Jud
contested the election and after long struggle
was awarded the seat Although the crime was legally
proven By poll Of the voters OF the DISTRICT the III
spectors were not prosecuted.
In 1876 Terence Quinn, a leading Democratic brewer
was elected" 10 Congress- from Albany County by
garing frauds in the Eighth Ward Of this city. On
election night, when word sent TO this notorious
ward that certain majority necessary, the boxes
stuffed. and Hamilton Harris. the Republcah
candidate, counted out. Mr. Harris contested the
election b bringing the offending inspectors Of the
Eighth Ward before the United states Circuit Court
The crime was proven 10 have been sufficient TO elect
Mr. Harris but the Offending inspectors could not he
held guilty The XLVth Congress was Democratic ana
although Mr. Harris had proven his case In the united
States Court he could not secure justice at the hands
Of the Democratic majority Of the House. Not only
were the offending inspectors not punished, but the
rngleaders literally rewarded.
AT THE MERCY OF JURY-TIXERs.
Two years later occurred the case OF Kirkland,
Republican. against Dillon, Democrat IN the Ninth
Ward Of this city, Dillon declared elected Alder
man. but Kirkland made contest in the courts and
awarded the seat the decision of a jury OF twelve
men composed Of both Democrats and Republicans.
No prosecution followed Judge Theodore NJ. West
brook OF Kingston Democrat, Judge OF the Supreme
Court called the crime the attention every grand
fury during his term Of Office but although the crime
had been proven, conviction was ever made: the
1uries were at the mercy Of the jury-lxers then
now.
In 1878 Michael ~ Nolan, the partner of Terence
Quinn in the brewing business, was counted in as
Mayor Of the city. The successful candidate really
was Nelson H. Chase, who as "Workingman's'
candidate against Nolan and William A. Young, Re
publican. The frauds at this election were the most
glaring perperated In most of the election dis
icts along the river front large portion of the votes
cast for Chase were credited 10 Nolan. At this time
Nolan had 10 the sole ownership Of the beer
business formerly conducted by Terence QUINN and
the Excise Commissioners, the police and the entire
municipal machinery used 10 advance the beer
business Of the Mayor Those who refused TO sell his
nhooped beer subjected 10 persecution for the
neglect. Naturally. Nolan was a candidate for re-
election This time, however. he was opposed by Dr.
John swiDburne, "the fighting DOCTOR vet
kan Of the Rebellion and a man Of fearless