New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-26
CLERK COTTON BEFORE HILL.
ANSWERING K1RKs FRIVOLOUS CHARGES
THE GOVERNOR or THE STATE HELPING FOR
WARD THE THEFT OF AN ASSEMBLY SEAT
rOuxTy
raY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.i


IN oNONDAGk COUNTY.
far TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBuSE.t
Albany, Nov. 25.-People who wandered into the
Executive Chamber at the Capitol today, doubtless
thought for a second they had ncautiousy ventured
into n Democratic ward meeting. The noble room al
any rate was crowded with whose faces bore many
signs Of attendance at sangunary meetings OF tue
Democratic party. The Governor OF the state David
B. HILL sat at his big mahogany desk In the centre
of the room and from time to time asked questions
which indicated that he posing as judicial ocef
of some kind or other Mr.. Hill actually had before
him upon trial George G.. Cotton, the Republican
County Clerk of Onondaga County who refuses to sign
n living certificate OF election declaring that Patrick J
RYAN, Democrat was elected an Assemblyman from
the Ist Assembly District Of On0Edaga County Inc
voters OF that district by plurality OF sxtynne votes
elected David A. Munro, jr., Republican, as Assembly
man. and Judge Kennedy, Of the Supreme Court, Is ex
ertng all his powers to gain recognition OF the verdict
of the voters. The Democrats OF Onondaga
County. therefore are seeking to have County
Clerk Cotton removed in order that they
may have certificate Of election issued to Ryan. con-
trary TO the order Of the Supreme Court. 1t Is sgnh
cant Of the unfairness Of the charges made against
County Clerk Cotton that they are preferred by william
B. Kirk of Syracuse member Of the Democratic state
Committee Of the district.
Mr.. Kirk appeared in the Executive Chamber this
companed by about 100 Of the leading Democratic
politicians of Onondaga County Among them was
Patrick j. RYAN, who claims Mr. Munro's seat IN the
Assembly; several Democratic inspectors OF eecuon'
r. E. Dorchester, of Marcelus who, 1t Is said, VIII
be appointed County Clerk IL Cotton Is removed ana
W. b. Cannon, counsel for the Democrats. Ihere
were precisely three men who came forward to repre-
sent the voters-County Clerk Cotton, Z. N. Wilson
and Peter b. McLennon Of Syracuse The counsel Tor
Mr. Cotton argued their side of the case by Hing an
answer TO william b. Kinks complaint. Mr. Cotton
in his denied that he had been unmlndiui OF
his duties or that lie has been or is guilty OF
mafeasance or corrupt conduct in office; he denies
that he has refused to perform his Official duties OF
any Official duty as such clerk as charged and set
forth in the petition OF W. b. Kirk herein, or in any
specification thereof, and the said George G. Cotton
alleges that ne has at all times been mindful OF the
duties of his said Office and performed the same In
every respect 10 the best Of his knowledge ana
ability, and in conformity TO the statutes OF the
State OF New-York and mandates OF the supreme
Court Of the State OF New-iork."
Mr.. Wilson supplemented this statement by denying
The fourth charge made by Mr. Kirk, namely that Mr.
Cotton had altered the election returns. When certain
election inspectors came testify, it learned that
the sole basis OF this charge was that Mr. CottonS
deputy had requested them to state on their electoh
returns from what district these returns came and
other lmmaterial alterations. One Of the inspectors
acknowledged that one Of the errors In his returns
which he thus corrected at the suggestion OF the
Deputy County Clerk a statement that Pro
hibton received ten votes" instead Of declaration
that the candidate of the Prohibition party received
so many votes The name of the Prohibition candi-
date also was omitted from this return Another
wrong which the Deputy County Clerk had COM
mitted according to the Democrats in suggesting
that David A. Munro, IT,, was the Republican can
didate for Assembyman, and not some travesty OF
nam
Relative to the certificate Of election Of Patrick
J. Ryan, the statement was made by Mr. Wilson, speak
ing for Mr.. Cotton that the Board OF Canvassers
Of Onondaga County was entolned from signing the
certificate TO Ryan by the supreme Court directing him
not 10 sign the certificate secretary OF the board
In all things he had complied strictly with the order
OF the court lie an officer OF the court and Lis
dual position, having orders OF the court served on
him. was trying one. lie had acted in perfect
fairness all through this ordeal. lie cOnd not give
certified copy OF these returns, because they were
not in the clerks Office, being held herefrom by order
Of the court. Mr.. Wilson asked that the charges be
dismissed, commission he appointed to take charge
Of the case He asked for Il fair and impartial trial.
II Mr.. Cotton had been guilty II any wilful violation
of law he should be removed, but he has not violated
any law lie perfectly willing to submit the
whole to a commission, which the Governor might
select though it be composed entirely OF Democrats
to them.
Governor Hill, as Mr. Wilson might have expected,
refused to send the charges for examination to any
commissioner, ms is usual in such case, and have
evidence taken carefully to the truth Of the charges
The Democrats then lad evidence given by in
spcctors OF election that County Clerk Cotton had the
wrong ballots sent to several election districts In
Onondaga County.
Mr.. Wilson den50 that the County Clerk had any
intention OF manS this mistake and urged the strong
point that If he had desired TO throw the election Into
doubt by any such trick he would not have
selected Republican ballots exclusively, as he had
done for the purpose, but rather Democratic ballots
Mr. Wilson and Mr.. McLennon protested In a manly
way against Governor HIPS acceptance so soon OF
the testimony Of witnesses against County CLERK Cot
ton. They had had chance 10 prepare rebntting
evidence The charges were only served upon Mr..
Cotton two days ago. But Governor Hill refused to
delay moment in hearing the charges, and the Re
publican counsel had TO do the best they could for
their client upon short notice. Short II they
disclosed the frivolous nature Of the charges against
County Clerk Cotton, and that his removal because Of
them could only be interpreted as having been exc
The Republican lawyers late tonight asked Gov
Hill to postpone the further hearing Of the case
duce witnesses in defence OF County Clerk Cotton.
Governor Hill refused this request. County Clerk
Cotton then took the witness stand aud denied tho
truth Of every allegation made against him. At mid
night Mr.. Cotton st on the stand, and no de
csion had been reached: although IL was the general
expectation of both sides that the Governor would
arbitrarily remove Mr.. Cotton and appoint Chairman
Dorchester In his place, that Rynn's certificate may
be signed ard another seat In the Assembly stolen
At II 80 q. IN. the Governor weakened and allowed
motion OF counsel for the defence adjourn till Mon
day at . p. m. in order to bring other witnesses.
A TALK WITH SEM TOR YTOV