The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-27
DAVENPORT ASAPOOBAH
HIS OFFICE A COM BMATION OF
POSITIONS.

Chief Supervisor of Elections and
United States Commissioner-Ceses
Made Against Men in HIS Name
Afterward Tried Before BIN acting
AS q JudRe-A Change Proposed.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2G.-The special com
mittee of the House OF Representatives. of
which Ashbel Fitch is chairman. has con-
cluded its report Of the investigation into
the supervision and administration Of the
federal election laws in the Southern district
Of New York. The evidence taken by the
committee relates entirely TO the admins
tration and supervision of the federal cleo
tion laws in New York city and county.
The committee, after carefully studying the
operations of the federal election avs. ex-
pressed the opinion that all Of these laws
have entirely failed to produce any good
results in the direction Of the purity of cleo
tions, or the protection of the ballot-boX, and
have been productive of such serious and
dangerous results that they ought at once
70 be repealed The reasons given for such
repeal as stated are because they result in
no conviction of offenders and are therefore
useless TO prevent or punish crimes, are ex-
pensive and are fruitful Of constant and
continuing frauds upon the treasury.
DAvENPOR1's DUAL POSITION.
The committee devotes some space to con-
sideration of the ebove mentioned points;
refers to the framing Of the laws under
which the chief supervisor Of elections acted
and makes the following declaration 10 re-
gard 60 that official: He holds his office by
a tenure which makes him practically inde-
pendent of any criticism or danger OF re-
moval. He not only holds the office Of chief
supervisor Of elections. but he has also
had himself appointed United States com
missioner so that he can sit as an examining
magistrate. With the power OF the gov
eminent behind him and with the money Of
the government to use, he has managed for
years a detective bureau. by means of
which be has sought 10 get proof OF the
crimes which he has claimed existed in the
city OF New York.
GROSS ABUSE OF HIS POWER.
"When in the first capacity as a detect
i've be has obtained such proof as he wishes
60 use, he then in his second capacity, as
public prosecutor, issues warrants for the
arrest of the alleged criminals. Sometimes
he gave these warrants TO the United States
marshal 20 be executed, and some
times in his third capacty-as sheriff
he seems to have made the arrest of the &C
cused parties through his own deputies.
Then in his fourth capacity, as United
States commissioner, sitting as magistrate,
he has heard his own charges against the
prisoners, which he presented to himself as
Judge, by himself as prosecuting attorney.
nnd has decided himself upon their guilt or
innocence"
A MACHINE FOR CORRUPTION.
The report concludes These laws in
stead OF constituting system for the pro-
section of the franchise in the hands of hon
est citizens. have been used as is shown by
the evidence, 60 furnish the machinery for
the corruption and forcible robbery of the
franchise, and they ought, If for that
reason alone, to be promptly repealed. The
Committee therefore present to the House IA
bill providing for the repeal Of these laws
with favorable recommendation for its
passage" The report is signed by Ashbel
r. Fitch, J. A. Geissenhaiuer and Robert
il. DsForest