Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-10
POLICE IN POLITICS.
The New York BIue:oats and Their Acls al The
Polls Being Investigated.

New YORK, March 9.-The committe e
appointed by the state Senate to investigate
the police department of New York city met
at II 80 this morning in the court of common
pleas. Lawyer Sutherland, 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 jealous guardians
of the citizens of New York, ,interfered with
the voters, and the results desired by the
citizens were not achieved The police in
vaded the sacred precincts of the election
booth and there intimidated the voters, and
did that desired by the masters of the po-
lice. They could show the most unheard
of prostitution of the will Of the people by
the police. There were other matters, he
said that the committee would probe. 1t
was charged that the police thrived on
crime, were co-partners in it, and levied
tribute and blackmail.
Delaney Nicoll said he wanted to 90 on
record as appearing in behalf of the police
department. Mr.. Nicoll stated that it was
his desire to aid the committee, not to him
ler or emharrass it in any way. He was
surprised to hear Mr.. Sutherland say the
police interfered in the elections. If he
had discovered, remarked Mr.. Nicoll that
the police had interfered with the rights of
voters, he has discovered what none of us.
Democrat, Republican, Anti-Snapper, Har-
lem Republican or committee of thirty have
learned.
William f. DAILY, Republican leader of
the 10th Assembly district, said he visited
the third election district last election day.
While there man came in to vote who
was registered from an address where he
(Daly) did not think he lived. When he
protested, the election inspector, raising a
book, thre atened to break his back. The
p lice officer did not interfere. The wit
ness said he visited another election district
on the same day and was assaulted when
he presented his credentials. The police
did not interfere.
John j. Byrne told how, in the 18th as
semby district on election day, 1891, while
acting as chief marshal, he drove up to the
polling place and asked the police in charge
to clear away the crowd assembled, and the
police refused. Mr.. Nicoll wanted to know
if Mr.. Byrne was Milholland man and the
question led to quite a stir, finally being
ruled out.
Ex-Alderman G. McMurray told of things
occurring ABOUT tne election Do0tns on
election day in which the police had not
lone exactly right. In answer to a question
from Senator Bradley, as to whether he
made complaint about the offending poll e
men to the proper authorities, he confessed
hp had not.
F. II, Wolferts, Republican watcher
in the 43i election district of the tenth as
sembly district, told how be was assaulted
by number of Tammany men because
he challenged a mans vote. The police
man took the man out in the street and let
him 60" said Mr.. Wolferts. Il afterward
made a complaint about the policeman but
it Was dismissed"
"Why did you move to Brooklyn" was
asked.
Because. they told me that if | did not
skip out of here the police would kill me.
They sail that the police were laying for
me-
James johnson testified that he saw
Tammany man hand ballot to voter un-
der the door of booth, and the policeman
did not interfere. Mr.. Sutherland an
nounced that number of witnesses sub
poenaed had failed to appear, and asked
that an adjournment be taken until tomor-
row. The committee adjourned until 10 80
tomorrow.