The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-05
DAVENPORT'S DEVILTRY.
ARREST OF 5000 GOTHAM DEMO
CRATs ONE OF HIS SCHEMES.


Him to Make the Arrests Before
Election Day so as to Not Deprive
Them OF Their Votes If They Have
the Right to Cast Them.
NEW York, Nov. AT the democratic
headquarters to-day statement was given
out of an investigation of Supervisor Dav-
enport's methods, closing as follows: "The
most important fact disclosed Is that Super
visor Davenport has his plans all laid to
arrest some 5000 men at the polls on cleo
tion day. His work is being conducted with
all possible secrecy, and he is leaving no
stone unturned In his effort to help the
Republican party In its desperate
attempt TO carry NewYork state.
'No apprehension Is felt, however, by the
democratic national committee that Daven-
ports tactics can accomplish much. The
democratic organization Of the city of New
York is fully alive to the situation. 1t has
met Supervisor DavenportEand rendered his
schemes sbortive and the national commit
tee has full confidence that it will do SO
again this year.
TAMMANY APPOINTS LAWYERS.
A committee of lawyers appointed by
Tammany Hall last night to protect voters
against Mr.. Davenport met this morning
in the office of David W. Leventritt. in the
Stewart building, to consider the situation.
There were present, besides Mr.. Leventritt,
John M. Bowers, David Mcclure aud H. d.
Hotchkiss. Mr.. Hotchkiss remained but a
few moments and Mr.. Leventrltt was called
to appear before Commissioner Deuel..
Messrs. Mcclure and Bowers apent an
hour discussing the situation and prepared
a letter to be sent to Mr.. Daven-
port. Mr.. Leventritt returned about
noon and said that the letter would not be
Sho haA
ing this afternoon. Zone thing is certain"
added Mr.. LeVentritt, 1--WE will adopt
measures to protect all citizens from inter
ference with their rights on election day.
Give this statement the widest possible pub
lication, These bluffs may frighten some
people, but we will procure bail and defend
every voter In the exercise OF his rights"
THE TEXT OF THE LETTER.
Following is the letter referred to above:
New York, Nov. 4, 1892
John l. DGvsnport. Esq. Chief Supervisor of
DEAR SIR-we understand that it is contem-
plated by you to make certain arrests OF cleo
tors in this county for alleged illegal registra-
ton. If such offense OF Illegal registration has
been committed by any person, It was COM
mitted either as early as Oct. II, 1899, the first
Sasn Ses nos s' Hsr shsn Oct 2 g. Sg
last day OF registration. The lists of each
days registration are at once placed in your
hands and you must have long since completed
your work OF inspection of such lists. 1t has
frequently happened, however, that you have
withheld making arrests for alleged Illegal reg
istration until election day. and, as we are in
formed, have held the person SO arrested until
the election was over thereby causing the cleo
tor to lose his vote, even though entitled to cast
it. AS you can Just as we'll execute your war
rants for illegal registration now as on election
day, we have 20 request that you will
| forthwith issue and execute any warrants
you may intend to issue for illegal registration
In order that an elector, If entitled to his dis
charge shall receive the same in time to cast
| his vote. Assuming that the intent of the law
under which you act was not to interfere with
lawful voters, but to punish and restrain illegal
operate with us In determining all such ques-
| tions la advance of the day of cleo
| tion, and that you will therefore comply with
our request In this connection we will call
| United States circuit court for the Southern
district Of New York in the matter of Spooner,
reported in volume 9, in Abbett's New
was held by Justices Blatchford and Choate,
| that it is an offense within the United States
Revised Statutes, section 65l5 IL election
| officer Intentionally delays executing q war.
rant for the arrest Of one charged with illegal
registration until election day in order TO pre-
vent his voting: and, also. that it is equally so
| to threaten arrest for the purpose of deterring
| from voting. The opinion of Judge Choate in
| that case, Is couched in the following Ian
guage: "Purposely omitting to serve warrants
until election day for the purpose of preventing
people from voting would be breach of duty
on the part Of the chief supervisor deputy mar
| shall" And we further quote from the opinion OF
Justice Blatchford the Following language: "It
makes no difference whether this marshal had
these warrants or not, it is just as much an
| offense for him to threaten to arrest people on
| election day to prevent their voting as 1t would
be to keep back warrant and execute it on
that day for that object We (referring
| to himself, Justice Blstchford. and
his associate, Judge Ohoate. both agree that
where man can be arrested before election
| day at we'll as not. he ought to be so arrested.
| II there Is any delay in arresting him where he
could have been arrested before that day. it
must be presumed TO be for the purpose of pre-
venting him from voting and consequently un-
lawful" Respectfully yours,
| DAVID LEVER TRITT,
| HENRY D. HoTcHkIss,
DAVID MCCLURE,
JOHN NJ. BOWERS,
CHARLES Fl. KNOX,
| Committee on behalf of the Democratic party
for the city and county of New York,
The committee called upon Mr.. Daven-
port with the letter, but he had gone up
| town, and it was sent to him.
| THE SHERIFF ON THE ALERT.
Sheriff John J. German has begun the
work Of swearing in corps of special dep
uties In case Of an emergency. " | have re-
celved no official communications said
Sheriff German to-day, "but from what /
have read | believe that the situation war.
rants me In making preparations to main
tain the public peace. am responsible to
the state for the peace of this
county, and I will see to il
that she peace is preserved. The
police will be on special duty, aud l there
fore think that more deputies are needed
/ will appoint every respectable person who
applies TO me who is properly recommended
IL a sufficient number of persons does mol
| apply and | think that a greater force il
needed, l will exercise the power the la W
gives me aud order the assembling of q
posse oomitatus.
DAvENPoRT'S THOROUGH SYSTEM.
The following statement was given out at
| democratic headquarters to-day:
Full information as to the proceedings oil
| John l. Davenport and his plans for election
| day has been placed iq the hands of the dem
| ocratc national committee from an author
| itative source. Mr. Davenport has practically Y
abandoned his regular Office In the postofice
building, and has established his paign head.
| quarters over the Columbia National Bank, or
| the fourth floor OF the building at the corner oil
| Forty-second street and Fifth avenue. At this
place he has spacious quarters, containing dif
| ferent rooms. Thirty typewriters and large
force Of clerical assistants are kept constantly
| at work card list has been made out Of every
| registered voter In the city OF New York, and
these are arranged in tin boxes upon shelves.
| Each card has upon IL the name OF the voter and
| his residence, and also his politics, democrats
being marked dem. " and republicans rep. "