New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-05
BEFORE JUDGE BARNARD TODAY

IMPORTANCE OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT POUCH
KEErSIE-CLERK HOFFMAN's CASE.
Poughkeepse, Dec. 4 (SpeciaD-Joseph II. Choate,
the attorney for the Republican State Committee,
reached here tonight and held long consuta-
ton with Robert F. Wilkinson, the attorney who
has had immediate charge Of the fight against
The DemOaats theft OF the Senate seat to which
Gilbert A. Deane elected. Mr.. Choate will
argue tomorrow in favor Of the position taken by
the Republicans that the Board OF County Canvassers
had no night 10 throw out the Republican ballots as
the Democratic majority In the Board did This case
brought before Judge Barnard here on an order
obtained from Judge Edwards, at Troy on wednesday
last compelling the County Canvassers TO show cause
why they should not count the votes for Senator as
they were originally returned by the inspectors The
Judge has held heretofore that because Mr.. .Deane,
the elected member of the Senate, has died, no one
can appear as a reator In this In other words,
his opinion is said to be that it is no crime to
rob a dead man. Mr.. ChOate has number Of excel
lent precedens to present Judge Barnard tomorrow
TO show him how clectOr whose vote has been made
absolutely of value because of the Illegal counting
out Of such vote appear the relator in such
case How Judge Barnard now Will determlne TINS
question is only conjecture.
Theodore A. Hoffman, the Clerk of Duchess County,
who has been summoned to appear before David Is.
HILL the High E1ecutoner of Republican County
Clerks who will not disobey the law In order to help
him along in his theft OF the Legislature went to
Albany tonight with his counse, Charles F. Cossum
and Judge Cady, of Columbia County. Mr. Hofman's
offence was his refusal to sign illegal return at the
order Of the Democratic majority OF the Board OF
Supervisors of Dutchess County. II is expected that
Hlll will make short work OF Hoffman, as he did Of
County Clerk Cotton OF Onondaga and appoint in his
stead John J. Mylod, whose practices In connection
with this outrage have been notorious.
"The POughkeepsie Eagle will contain the follow
ing to- morrow, addressed " To Lewis ID. GermOnd":
You have filed paper with Governor Hill charging
Theodore Hoffman, County Clerk OF Dutehess County,
misconduct in office The people OF Dutehes County
openly charge you with misconduct in Office. You hive
openly socated with seventeen Others In deliberately
conspirlng steal thryone votes in the town OF Red
Hook from dead Senator Deane. You and your l,low-
conspraors thus outraged public decency and openly
violated law You with seventeen others, have eonspred
10 steal votes from the In East Fishkl.
You and seventeen others did dare 10 expose the
erty thus those districts in the lying abuted
statement which you crammed down the roats of the
people in full disregard OF the You and seventeen
others took Social Labor Reform ballot, which WAS
Republican pater deliberately and crmnay counted
the Democrats The people are going TO hold
you and your seventeen fellow strictly TO
count You cannot escape the responsibility You Will
be followed the Grand Jury, to the end that justice
ehall be metrd out.
"The Hudson Register the Democratic organ OF
Columbia County, says In all editorial:
Nobody with a grain OF intelligence and common honesty
con mistake what Governor Hill is doing He started out
10 steal the Legislature for the Democrats.