New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-31
NO FAIR PLAY AT THE POLLS.
DEMOCRATS GO ON RECORD, AGAINST EQUAL
RIGHTS TO ALL PARTIES.
srNAToR VAN GORDER's MOTION TO TAKE HIS
BILL FROM COMMITTEE BEATEN BY

BILL FROM COMMITTEE BEATEN BY
snEEHAN's TACTICS.
,.on rHs REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIDrSE.I
Albany, March 3O.-The Democratic party dis
closed the fact this morning IN the Senate that II Il
unwilling to give equal rights and equal protection
NJ tho polls TO every political party by opposing any
action upon Senator Van Gorder's bills providing for
m eoual division OF the election inspectors.
The election inspectors count the votes. and hence
hold a position OF great responsibility at the polls.
Thsy also decide whether or NOT certain votes shall
b. accepted a year ago. II will be remembered.
AssembIyman Farquhar persuaded the Legislature to
pass an act depriving the Republican party Of one
Of its inspectors In each election district In the city
Of New York. This left the party with only one
representative in each Board OF Election Inspectors.
whereas two were given TO the Democratic party.
Tho result OF thus depriving the Republican party OF
protection was made evident the polls last fall by
the Democratic plurality OF 10000, an Increase OF
q 900 over 1888. This apparent increase cannot
be considered a true count Of the votes cast. IN
ouestonably the election returns are fraudulent and
they largely so because OF the preponderance o.
Democrats on the Boards Of Election Inspectors
Early In January Senator Van G0rder OF wyoming
County, introduced a bill providing for an equal d.
vision Of the election inspectors. In rural neishoor
hoods the inspectors have been elected and since the
rnraI vote mainly Republican the Boards OF Election
Inspectors which in nearly case have been three
members have had Republican majority. Mr.. Van
Gorders bills gave two inspectors to the Democratic
marty at every rural polling place, thus giving that
marty as many inspectors In every election as the Re
pubIican party now possesses. But In New.forK ne
provided that the Republican party should have two
thus bringing Its representation there 10
n level with that OF the Democratic party
H. would seem that such equitable arran cement
would have been heartily welcomed by the Democratic
leaders Instead, they issued orders that the bill
shouh be killed The Tammany Hal! members we're
especially vehement In their opposition TO the DELL un
doubtedly acting under orders from Richard Croker
What! Surrender chance to swindle the Republican
party at the polls In NewYorkl That was not to be
thought Of for q moment by the Tammany Hall re-
sency.
To-day Senator Van Gorder seeing that the DEM
ocratic leaders intended to kill Ibis bill g. in COM
mitteer moved that the Senate Judiciary Committee
should BIZ discharged from further consideration oil the
mcasure. His motion was put TO vote. ana he
tally list showed thirteen votes in Its favor ana only
eleven against It, Ordinarily the result Of the vote
would have been announced at once BY the CLERK
Of the Senate but Lieutenant Governor sheehan woua
mot permit this TO be done. lie instructed Senator
Rocsch to make n speech against the bill. ana then
sent messengers all Albany to summon the three
absent Democratic Senators. When they had en-
tered the Senate Chamber and voted against the mo-
absent Democratic Senators were Cunnngnam NC NC.
C1eiland and Mcmahon. With them came Senator
fourteen ana to vote
1.-The motion is lost" said ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
But Won did not cast a deciding vote said
Senator Erwin The Republican leader 10 'ne Ae"
tenant Governor. A. ex.o sr,u,ro
al do not have to vote: said Mr. sheshan smlins
sweetly "But / will acknowledge to the gentleman
that N ! had voted on this motion should nave
voted against It." ,. g.,
n Low voice {" for am glad to know that the 0ihc'ai
head Of the Democratic party in this State opposes
This was In reference to the fact that Mr. sheehan
Is chairman OF IRE Executive Committee OF the Demo
1,emocrafic party as Mr. Erwin pointed out. Mr.
seehan thu, expresses his opposition to giving eaS Sa
RRembtcan party has an excellent campaign ISSUE