The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-18
GOVERNOR WARNS SHERIFFS,
HEARS or INTENDED TNTTMTDA-
TION AND FRAUD TO-DAY.

Gov. Higgins telegraphed from Albany
yesterday to Sheriff Hayes, OF this county
and 10 Sheriff Flaherty Of Kings the fol-
lowing:
Members OF both the Democratic and
Republican parties have expressed 10. me
their conviction that the orderly conduct OF
the primary elections in your county. TO-
morrow is menaced by organized enorts
at intimidation and fraud. l hereby direct
you to take all necessary measures to pre-.
serve order at the various polling places and
to protect all citizens In the exercise OF their
political rights. l shall hold YOU account
able for the due enforcement OF the law In
this regard.
The two SheriYs were taken by surprise
by the telegram. Its peremptory tone
made them hustle. Both will swear in
special deputies early to-day. Sheriff Hayes
said;
Il will have my staff on duty and will
swear in some extra men. We will keep
q sharp lookout for the places where trouble
is likely to happen and will be on hand to
meet the emergency"
Sheriff Flaherty didn't feel as much at
ease as did the New York county law pre-
server.
Mr.. Flaherty remained at his Office until
quite late, making preparations.
This order has cone 80 suddenly" said
the Brooklyn Sheriff, that we haven't much
time to waste. l am making and will con-
tinue to make every effort TO md out just
where trouble Ia expected and will have
men there. l have conferred with the
leaders Of the warning factions on both
sides, and they have promised TO furnish
me with a list Of places where there IL any
danger Of trouble. l have sent out over
200 notices to men hat have acted as deputy
sherins before. have requested them
to report at my office by 10 o'cloc in the
morning. Deputy Police Commissioner
O'Keeffe and 1 will act together. He has
promised to give me all the assistance
possible"
sheriff Flaherty sent this communication
TO Deputy Police Commissioner O'keefe:
1t is hardly necessary for me TO say that
I must and shall carry out the instructions
contained in the Governors meeeaR &c. l
have been informed on good authority by
citizens living in different sections Of this
county, particularly in the Second. Sixth
Seventh. Eighth. Fifteenth and Sixteenth
Assembly districts. that attempts az in
timJdati0n and illegal voting will be made
at the primaries tomorrow. ] shall place
special deputy sherifs in all voting places
where fraud or intimidation lie anticipated
OF likely TO occur. ] do not propose to super
sede the police force in the policing Of the
voting places where special deputy sheriffs
will be assign ed to duty; my desire and in
tendon are that the deputies and the police
will cooperate and assist each other in the
preservation of the peace and the enforce
ment OF the law governing primary elections.
Deputy Commissioner O'Keefe said: The
voting places viii be in charge OF the police.
They will be there by virtue OF the law.
No one will have a right in voting places
aside from the election officials but watch
crs and police officials. or course II a
special deputy is chosen watcher he will be
allowed to remain
The news Of Gov. Higgins's message
created considerable comment in political
circles. The politicians were curious to
know who had informed o Higgins
Of he organized efforts at intimidation
and fraud"
ArToRNEY-oENERAL Up DISTRICT
About the same time that the Governors
warning reached the Sheritfs Attorney
| General Julius NJ. Mayer arrived at his
Office in William street and sent out orders
to the various election inspectors and
letters Of notification TO the District Al,
torneys OF New York, Kings, Queens and
! Richmond counties. His orders to the
election inspectors read:
To the inspectors of Election!
BY virtue Of Section 81 Of the Executive
law the Attorney-General is charged with
the duty Of prosecuting violations Of the
Primary law.
I call your attention TO the provisions
of the Primary Election law to the end that
compliance Herewith may be fully assured
Your attention ia also directed to the provi-
sions Of the Penal Code. especially Section Al,
which sets forth the acts which constitute
violations Of the Primary Election law and
provides punishment therefor.
In his letter to the four District Attorneys
the Acknowledgement said:
Srr-Pursuant to Section 81 NJ the FIX
ecutive law, which provides among other
things as follows.
It shall be the duty Of the District Attor.
ney OF the county. and OF the assistants
! clerks and employees in his ONCE. and al
police authorize les. officers and men within
any such county, to render to the Attorney
= General and his deputy. whenever requested,
all aid and assistance within their power In
such prosecutions and in the conduct Of such
cases.
herewith authorize and request yos
to cooperate with this oflce in the investiga'
ton OF complaints which may be made
in your county in relation to the Primary
Election on September ~, 1905.
As complaints may be made which re-
auire immediate action, you are herewith
empowered TO perform the same duties In
reference thereto as are conferred upon the
Acknowledgement.
This request is made in order that prompt
action may be taken. 30 that II violations oil
the Primary Election law come to your
/ notice in the first instance, during primary
day. there need be no delay in giving the
matter such attention as may be warranted
Yours respectfully.
julius NJ. MAYER, Attorney-General.
Attorney General Mayer explained yes
terday afternoon that while the primaries
are a matter under the supervision Of the
local election boards It is his duty TO prose
cute in the ease Of violation just the same
as In a regular election. The Office Of Super
intendent Of Elections George W. Morgan
has nothing to do with the primaries what
ever.
THE coming primaries are OF the greatest
importance" said Attorney-General Mayer
.owinR to the number OF contests and the
effect that the results will have on the future
state Of affairs politically. Naturally ther'
have beena number OF statements regarding
probable fraud and intimidation. I have
had no specific complaint come to me, but
as it is my duty TO prosecute in the case o.
violations I decided to notify the election
i~nsuectors Of what | shall do.
GNv letter tn the District ATTORNEYS wa