New-York tribune., 1896-01-29
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 an investiga-
tion OF the alleged frauds In the Republican enroll
ment In city. and in the recent primaries After
due consideration and mindful OF the gravity Of the
situation In OF the approaching National eiec-
tion. deemed It essential to the welfare Oh the
party that a thorough and impartial investigation
should be made by committee consisting OF Messrs.
John Sabine Smith Paul ID. Cravath Adelbert H.
Steele. Benjamin Oppenheimer and John 8 wise
who Immediately undertook the task assigned to
them Their report transmitting the statement OF
C. ~ Jones. recently associate actuary OF the New
York Life Insurance Company. whom they selected
to conduct the investigation is appended. We wish
10 emphasize belief In the entire irnpastality
and sincerity of this nvestiga ton.
Notwithstanding the charges which have been IRE
oucntly made in the public press. we had no ade-
quate conception OF the magnitude and enormity OF
the frauds Irregularities which have been per-
petrated In connection with the Republican enroll
ment and the recent primaries until the investigation
Of the enrolment in several OF the Assembly districts
had been made and the results tabulated
In view OF these results there can he no
~scnpc from the conclusion thnt the present
enrolment IL rotten to n degree never neiorc
IN rnIIeIc.h In the history of the party. ana
that the primaries and conventions In many
Assembly districts based upon IL. ny which
delegates elected to the County COM
mIttce for 1896. are unworthy of serious
e. side eratfOn.
An organization bnsed upOn such wholesale
frnud. cannot command the confidence OF tho
Republican pnrty nor of the public.
We therefore, urge that the organization or the
County Committee for 1896 be not effected until
reasonable time has been given 10 complete the
Investigation in progress and to secure ada
quate relief.
Primaries tho fOun tn -hend OF NIL rep>
rc.cnt,tiy~ government. and the primaries
ncccssariIy spring from the enrolment. IL tho
Inter IL fraudulent the entire party struc'-
urc 4. tnintrd and unworthy of confidence
n nd respect This II "a subject In which every
Republican. whether his name he upon the
roll. or not. Is interested. for all look to the
organization Of the party To secure honest
conventions and truly representative NOM
inntions.
For the foregoing reasons. and In the interest OF
the harmony and efficiency OF the Republican party
We earnestly request that no permanent organiza-
ton OF the County Committee be effected until the
completion OF this investigation.
Joseph II. Choate. Cornelius " Bliss
Samuel Thomas william Brookfeld,
Anson @ McCook. benjamin Oppenhemer.
Wager Swayne, tnhu hoot
X q. Alexander. Horace forter,
John g. O'Conor. isaac v BroKaw.
Elias Goodman Edward Mitchell.
Charles Stewart Smith. John > Wise
John T. Milholland A. H. Steele.
Iohn Sabine Smith Joel B Erhardt
T. W. Bloomngdale. Paul h. Cravath
Y r. Cruger John Proctor Clarke.
Committee
New-York. Jan. IS. 1896