Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-28
JOHN DAVENPORT DEAD
MISERABLE END OF NOTORIOUS
ELECTION SUPERVISOR.
For Many Years He Ruled in New
York Politics and Swayed
National Elections.

stamford, Conn.,, dispatches say that the
funeral Of John 1. Davenport. once a po-
tent factor in the political life OF New
York. was held there yesterday very quiet
ly. For some reason there was an appar-
ent effort to keep the fact. of his death
secret and it did not become generally
known until twenty-four hours after it &C.
CURED.
The man who was once power to be
reckoned with in New York politics lived
a life of almost complete seclusion at Dav
export Ridge, where he came to pass the
remaining period of his life when his wife
died a year ago.
Had Financial Reverses.
Already broken in health by serious
financial reverses. the death of his wife
weighed heavily upon him and he grew
gradually weaker. Toward the end his
mental faculties were clouded.
Mr.. Davenport had a son and two daugh-
tiers in New York. They were notified of
their fathers death and came to tie 'un-
eral The services were simple and only
few friends attended.
Power in National Politics.
From about 1870 to 1894 John 1. Daven-
port was one of the most powerful political
factors in the country. For several years
past he had been living in miserable little
fiat in the upper part of New York city,
dependent upon the charity of old friends
for support
Y, in 1S41 and at the age of eighteen, hav-
ing had a misunderstanding with his
father, crossed the river and was engaged
as a correspondent in the Washington de-
partment of the New York Tribune.
Served With Butler.
In 1862 he left the Tribune. and in the
following year employed by Gen. Ben
tamin F. Butler to take down evidence dur
ing the trials by court-martial which took
place while the latter in command at
Norfolk. Gen. Butler had him commission
ed a first lieutenant in a colored regiment
and then placed him on his staff and ap-
pointed him provost marshal.
After the war he drifted back to New
York and began the study of law, being
ultimately admitted into firm junior
partner. He was appointed United States
commissioner. or committing magistrate,
In 1870, and then began his remarkable ca
reer in connection with the federal super
vision of congressional elections.
Became Potent Boss"
The act authorizing this was drafted by
Davenport and on its passage by Congress
he secured the position of supervisor for
New York city, the powers of which posi-
fashion until the law was finally repealed
In 1894.
AS supervisor of elections he had the
lower to appoint subordinates for every
election precinct in the city, enc from each
party
The democrats he selected from the
O'Brien faction and the republicans from
the one ruled by the custom house ring.
Davenports course was arbitrary that
he was vigorously denounced by men of
both parties.
Charges of corrupt action in connec-
ton with hts two positions-those of SUI
pervisor and United States commissioner
were brought against him by leading demo-
Gratis of the better class In 1874, but were
finally dismissed.
Clerk of Court.
At the beginning of 1915 he was made
clerk of the United States circuit court for
the southern district of New York.
His use Of the secret service funds of the
Department of Justice during the closing
period of President Grants administration,
for the purpose of preparing competent
list of the registered voters Of the city. led
to an investigation by Congress. which re-
suited In showing that these expenditures
had been authorized by President Grant.
In 1878 occurred one of the most exciting
episodes of Davenport's official career,
caused by the efforts made by the late John
sherman, tnen secretary OF the treasury,
to Gust him clerk of the circuit court
and supervisor of elections from a large
suite of rooms which he occupied In the
post office building. The struggle ended by
Davenport giving up two of the thirteen
rooms which he had been occupying and
holding on to the rest.
Ousted at Last.
Davenport was again investigated by a
congressional committee in 1879, in refer
ence to his action in connection with nat