The Portland daily press., 1894-03-10

Because He was INFORMED Ahdt Tic
Police Were Laying" for Hin.
New York, March 9.-The committee
appointed by the state senate to investi-
gate the police department of New York
city, met at 1890 this morning in the
court of common pleas. Lawyer Suth-
erland, in his address to the committee,
said the first thing taken up would be
the alleged interference by the police
with voters on election day. The police,
instead of being the Jealous guardians of
the citizens of New York, interfered
with the voters to an extent that the re-
suits desired by the citizens were not
achieved. The police invaded the sacred
precincts of the election booths and
there inundated voters who did not do
that which was desired by the masters of
the police. They would show the most
unheard of prostitution of the will of
the people by the police. There were
other matters, he said, that the commit
tee would probe. 1t was charged that
the police thrived on crime, were co
partners in it and levied tribute and
blackmail
Hon. Delaney Nicoll said he wanted to
go ON record as appearing ON behalf of
the police department. Mr.. Nicoll stated
that it was his desire to aid the commit
tee and not to hinder or embarrass it in
any way. He was surprised to hear Mr..
Sutherland say the police interfered in
elections. eff he had discovered" re-
marked Mr.. Nicoll, ''that the police inter-
fere with the rights of voters, he has
discovered what none of us, Democrats,
Republicans, OF anti-snappers, and the
Harlem Republican committee of thirty
have learned
William F.Daly, a Republican leader
of the 10th Assembly District, said he
visited the Third Election District last
election day. While there a man came in
to vote who registered from an address
where he (Daly) did not think he lived.
When he protested, the election inspector
raising book, threatened to break his
back. The police officer did not interfere.
The witness said he visited another
election district the same day and was
assaulted when he presen ted his creden-
tials and the police did not interfere.
John J.Byrne told how, in the 18th
Assem- bly, District on election day in
1891, while acting as chief marshal, he
drove up to polling place and asked
the police in charge to clear away the
crowd assent bled. The police refused.
:. Mr.. Nicoll wanted to know if Mr.. Bryne
was a MiIholland man. The question
led TO quite a stir andwas finally ruled
out.
Ex.Alderman G. McMurray told of
things occurring about the election
booths on election day in which the
police had not done exactly right. In
answer to question from Senator Brad
ley, as to whether he made complaint
about the offending policemen to the
proper authorities, he confessed he had
not.
FIJI. Wolferts, Republican watcher
in the 43rd Election District of the
Tenth Assembly District, told how he
was assaulted by a numb be- of Tammany
men because he challenged mans vote.
A policeman took the man out in the
street and let him go. Said Mr.. Wolferts,
II afterward made complaint about the
policeman, but it was dismissed.
why did you move to Brocklyn?" was
asked.
"Because they told me ii did not skip
out of here, the police would kill me.
They said the police were lying for me. :"
James johnson testified that he saw a
Tammany man hand ballot to voter
under the door of booth, and police
manson duty there did not interfere.
Mr.. Sutherland announced that num-
ber of witnesses subpenaed had failed
to appear, and asked that adjournment
be taken until tomorrow morning The
committee adjourned until 1890 to-
morrow morning,