New-York tribune., 1896-01-24
ROTTEN THROUGH AND THROUGH.
FRAUDS IN THE RECENT ENROLMENT
AND PRIMARIES

RESULTS OF AN IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION OF
THE REPUBLICAN MACHINE IN THIS COUNTY
To the Republican County Committee and the Re-
publican party in the city OF New-York:
The undersigned committee Of the Republicans
have been engaged for some time In investiga-
tion OF the alleged frauds IN the Republican enroll
ment in this city, and In the primaries. After
due consideration and mindful Of the gravity OF the
situation in view of the approaching National elec-
ton, deemed II essential to the welfare OF the
party that thorough and impartial investigation
should be made by committee consisting OF Messrs
John Sabine Smith. Paul ID. Cravah, Adelbert H.
Steele, Benjamin Oppenheimer and John ;. wise,
who Immediately undertook the task assigned to
them. Their report transmitting the statement or
C. ~ Jones, recently associate actuary Of the New
York Life Insurance Company, whom they selected
to conduct the investigation Is appended we wish
TO emphasize our belief in the entire npa.:iality
and sincerity Of this investigation.
Notwithstanding the charges which have been ire
quentiy made in the public press. we had no ade-
Guate conception OF the magnitude and enormity or
the frauds Irregularities which have been per-
petrated In connection with the Republican enroll
ment and recent primaries until the investigation
of the enrolment in several OF the Assembly districts
had been made and the results tabulated.
view Of these results there cnn he NO
cscnpe from the conclusion that the present
enrolment Is rotten to n degree never before
pn aIIcIed I'm the history OF the party ana
that the primaries nnd conventions In man!
Assembly districts based upon It, by which
delegates were elected to the County Conn
mittce for 1896 are unworthy OF serious
sideratiOn.
An organization based upon such whoIesnie
frnuds cannot Ommnnd the confidence OF the
Republican party nor Of the public.
We therefore urge that the organization OF the
County Committee for 1896 be not effected until
reasonable time has been given TO complete the
investigat ton IN progress and TO secure aoS
quate relief
Prima ricS are the fOun tn ain-hend OF nIi rep'
resentative government. md the prinnrfes
nccessnriIy spring from the enrolment III inc
Inter is fraudulent the entire party struct-
n nd respect This II IA subject In which every
Republican. whether his name he upon the
rolls or not. is Interested. for all look to the
organization of the party to secure honest
conventions and truly representative NOM
nations
For the foregoing reasons, and in the interest o.
the harmony and efficiency OF the Republican party
earnestly request that no permanent organza-
tion of the County Committee be effected until the
completion OF this investigation
Joseph ". Choate. Cornelius " Bliss,
Samuel Thomas William BrOokfeid.
Anson G.. McCook. Benjamin Oppenhelmer.
Wager Swayne Elhu Root.
II. G.. Alexander. Horace Porter.
John C. O'Conor Isaac V. Brokaw.
Elias Goodman Edward Mitchell.
Charles Stewart Smith. John 5. Wise.
John +. Milholland, A. II. Steele.
John Sabine Smith. Joel r. Erhardt,
f. ". Bloomngdae. Paul b. Cravath.
$. V. Il. Cruger John Proctor Clarke.
Committee.
NewYork. Jan. l6, 1896