The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-08
BILLY THOMPSON'S SEAT.
REPORT OF rHE INTEsTrG a oRs TO
BE sHELTED.
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- eie-eester,the Rep-hueass Are Arrsia
20 olve the Rnke = Ehance % ReplN.

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20 etve tie Buke Chsnee 60 Repil.
TRESroN. n. J.. Oct. Tine result Of the in
vestigation Of the charges Of fraud in Assembly
man Thompson's district will never b. made
ofilcially known 10 the Legislature. and the in
vestigating committees report will only come
before that body incidentally when the Reput-
licsns seek to pass = Law paying some Of the ex-
pense incurred. The Republican caucus decided
last Tuesday that the report should be presented
in the House that dsv. but a little later the
Republicans learned that Assemblymen Thomp-
son and Flynn were primed with speeches in
which they would reveal some Of the Republican
methods in the past in Camden county. To permit
these to be delivered would not only hurt some
prominent Republicans, but would also prolong
the session. Some advised presenting the re-
port and refusing Thompson or Flynn the priv
ilege OF replying. but this was too much for
Speaker Gross to swallow. 20 the investigation
was abandoned just before the finish, although
each member Of the committee has type-writ-
ten report on hand.
The report deals almost entirely with the sec
ond precinct OF the Second ward Of Gloucester
City, the "race-track" district. II says that
Thompson, the sitting member. put in no answer
TO the notice Of contest. and introduced no
testimony in contradiction Of the voluminous
testimony of several hundred witnesses on the
part Of Jacob c. Lippincott, the contestant. The
recount showed loss OF IL votes to Thompson.
leaving his apparent majority LIZA. The COM
mittee recommended that, in view of the fraud
and irregularities shown and undisputed that
the vote in the racc-track district should be
thrown out. Notwithstanding the rejection
OF this district. the committee reports
that Thompson would still have an APP
parent plurality OF 2i6 votes over Lippin-
colt. While there was some evidence Of
bribery and Illegal voting in the other
districts. there was not enough disclosed to in
fiuence the result. The contestant contended
that the rejection Of the returns in this precinct
would AZ least set aside the whole election. and
thereby unseat Thompson. but the committee
say II cannot agree with the proposition. which
is not supported by leading presidents.
Accordingly the committee offers q resolution
declaring that William J. Thompson is entitled
to retain his seat Assemblyman from the
Third district Of Camden county. and recon-
mend the appropriation OF blank sum to
jacob =. Lippincott to defray his legal ex-
that repeating was carried on. and was admitted
by a member Of the Election Board: that there
in specific cases. which was not contradicted:
that voters who were known to mem bers OF the
OF their votes by Others. who used their names
and voted on them. and that registered persons
Sr xSs sosea. were h s
names 50 frequent were cases OF this Kind
that they created no comment or discussion
among the members of the Election Board.
Even In cases Of timely exposure the fraudulent
voters were received. and there was evidence
some OF these cases occurred.
The committee says II pursued searching
race track district. which was the principal
field Of controversy. the contention having been
made for Thompson that the increase Of "a per
n 10 M 70 . m
tial vote in 1892. and the increase Of 800 yer
cent. over 1855 was due TO the opening OF the
time, and many operatives and their fam,
made H BY the committee Of the mum.
Der OF employeeesa OF s sns nae t,s ssS
there were 200 or only 81 more. The entire
aggregate Of the increase Of vote was cast for
IN no 5 as tns ~Se there no
falling on in the vote OF his Republican oppo-
nent.
characteristic Of such persons as would he
drawn to town by the opening Of q race track
!. thai they are itineTsnL migratory. like
gypsies, and not bona fide residents. The
T resl.tsred FROM stables IN the fses track
and from stables outside. and. With scarcely
Inc testimony n Shows that in general The Sleep
ing and lodging quarters Of these persons were
the hayiofts above the stables and stalls In the
merely sojourners. and had no such residence as
entitled them to vote. Their votes should have
been refused, as they were improperly and lille
galy received. To establish q residence. both
the act and intent are necessary and must conf
bine. according TO the leading authorities on the
subject Of franchise. Sleeping quarters in
stalls among horses, and Judgments In haylofts
above the committee says. fail 10 furnish the
fixed domicile or permanent home conteinp plated
by the decisions.
The conduct Of the Election Board in keeping
the registry books and conducting the election.
the committee adds. merits severe arraignment
and censure, and the committee suggests that
the local authorities of amden county are the
proper parties to take cognizance of their acts
and omissions and TO deal with them under the
law.
In view of the unwllingness Of the Republi-
cans to permit Mr.. Thompson to relate the his
tory of some past elections in Camden county. IL
is doubtful il the Thompson case is ever heard
NJ In he "a 1den