New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-23

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 time in an investiga-
ton of the alleged frauds in the Republican enroll
ment in this city and in the recent primaries After
due consideration and mindful of the gravity of the
situation in of the approaching National cleo
ton, we deemed it 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. Cravath. Adelbert H.
steele Benjamin Oppenheimer and John $. Wise.
who Immediately undertook the task assigned 10
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
to emphasize our belief in the entire impa1tiality
and sincerity of this investigation.
Notwithstanding the charges which have been fire.
ouently made in the public press. We had no ade-
cuate conception of the magnitude and cnormity Of
the frauds ana irregularities which have been per-
petrated III connection with the Republican enrol
nent 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 cnn he no
cScapc from the conclusion That the present
enrolment is rotten to "a degree never before
pnrnIIeIed in the history of the party. n"d
that the primaries and conventions In many
Assembly districts based upon IL. by wnich
ielevntcs were elected to the County Com
mittce for 1876. are unworth, OF serious
considerations.
An OrgaDizntiO based upon such wholesale
frauds cannot command 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
investigation progress and TO secure AIDE
quate relief
Primaries nre the fOun IN in-head of all reps
rcscntntivc government, and the primaries
necessarily spring from the enrolment. II the
latter IL fra udulent the entire party struct-
ure Is tainted and unworthy of confidence
and respect This is IL subject in which every
Republican, whether his name be upOn the
rolls 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
earnestly request that permanent organize
ton of the County Committee be effected unit. the
completion of this investigation.
Joseph ~. Choate. Cornelius y. Bliss.
Samuel Thomas William Brookfeld.
Arson c. McCook, benjamin Oppenhemer,
Wager Swayne, Elihu Root.
r. c. Alexander. Horace Porter.
John c. O'Conor, Isaac V. Rrokaw,
Elias Goodman. Edward Mitchell
Charles Stewart Smith, John 5. Wise.
John f. Milhoand a. II. steele,
John Sabine Smith, Joel b. Erhardt,
E. W. Bloomingdale. Paul b. Cravath
S. '. K. Cruger. John Proctor Clarke.
Committee.
New-York, Jan. 16 1896.