New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-05
THE YEU.JERsEY ELECTION FRAUDS.

TIE NEV.JERSEY ELECTION FRA UDS.
Staggering disclosures concerning New-Jersey
notifies are no new thing. But the true story
of the Democratic election conspiracy in Hudson
County reveals depth of rascality greater even
than has been supposed Two years ago, thanks
to the delicate attentions of ingenious poll
clerks, the deposit of a single ballot IN hudson
County was not essential to the return OF full
Democratic vote. In one district, to quote
Judge Lippincott, everything was false-regis-
tration, poll-book, ballots, canvass and returns.
Throughout Jersey City every ballot in the
boxes could have been perverted, and every
man in the city, whether resident or not, could
have voted at three precincts.
Even Troy in Murphy's palmiest days has
fixed things" no more effectively in the in
terest of Democratic triumph. But the in
trepid versatility of the New-Jersey managers
was employed only when this preliminary cheat
had succeeded OF course the Democratic can
didates were returned, and OF course the in
eenous poll-clerks fattered themselves on sub
stantial prospective rewards. Senate investl-
cation. however, disturbed their complacency
with sixty-seven indictments for balot-box
stulling, issued against the strenuous protest OF
tho local leaders. The Sheriff, Democratic
light obligingy captured most OF the cuprlts,
after preparing suitable bail, and the others
were gathered in by Senate detective. This
prosecution was naturally thought an annoy
ance, but nobody dreamed he would ever be
punished. even if convicted so long as he re-
fused to betray his masters Three OF the men
indicted are. however, now doing time" at
Trenton. and forty more are awaiting trial or
appeal.
The srangest feature of the conspiracy that
utterly cOnfutes the pretence OF party lnno-
cence is the persistent screening of the original
lnstigators. Frauds Of such magnitude are not
wrought by isolated effort, and the true or
GAMERS are pretty shrewdly identified with
members of the Democratic County Commit
foe. But the tools have kept their own counsel
so we'll that the Legislature was enabled to
mass the convenient relief measure known as
the "Ticket-of- Leave Act" making next No
vember the limit for new indictments, without
molesting a single ringleader. As the local Grand
.Jures are usually picked with strong bias
toward political sinners, the real cuprits are
almost certain to escape, especially as the Dis
trict- Attorney says he lacks conclusive evidence.
This Characteristic wind-up of a disgraceful
episode not only emphasizes anew the pervading
rottenness of Democratic methods across the
Hudson. 1t shows that Democratic law officers
and Democratic lawmakers in New-Jersey are
alike active in shielding criminal associates from
Justice We are unable to perceive any hope
of reform. The conspiratOrs have probably
learnt the salutary lesson of discretion, but this
will only cause them better to hide their tracks
What is incredible is that the honest rank and
file of the party should be willing to follow
such leaders and in this way sanction their
detestabe customs. No correction or rebuke
can ever frighten villain half so badly as the
certainty that detection will ruin his influence
and until this maxim is generally enforced it is
useless to hope for change.