New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-03
NO OFFICI4L ENVELOPE.
Receired Ne7c York Life Ballots
Unfit for Use.

A copy Of affidavit signed by Edwin S.
Raston, formerly employed by the international
committee and deposited by the committee with
its ballots at the offices of the New York Life
on election day, was obtained by a Tribune re-
porter yesterday.
In view of the conspiracy charge and the
statements of George r. Scrugham. the inter
national committees manager now under ar
rest for conspiracy, explaining his actions this
affidavit will probably figure prominently at the
trial next week
This is the only affidavit on behalf Of the
committee. according to evidence in the Dis
rrict Attorneys possession. which the inspectors
found when the committees ballot boxes were
first opened.
Ralston's afTidavit declared that 'the 1876 New
York Life ballots herewith forwarded by for
eign policyholders principally through the
French committee were received without the
official envelope, in most cases were opened by
personally, and in many cases letters ac-
cornpanied these ballots stating that the policy
holders either did not receive envelopes or any
other voting papers from the company the
envelope was in a condition unfit for use
The conspiracy" case against the Information
al committee, which led TO the arrest Of scrug-
ham, Darlington and stirrup, based on the
charge that the committee had perfected" and
otherwise tampered with ballots. In the course
Of long typewritten statement which he issued
after his arrest, Mr.. Scrugham made an
explanation Of the perfectng charges.
The only affidavit found by the inspectors,
according 10 the evidence in the District Attor-
ney's possession, that printed above, which
Goes not bear Mr.. Scrugham's name and. more
over. the reporter learned. was discovered. not
in any OF the wooden boxes but in a small single
cardboard box received with the wooden boxes.
Furthermore. on these 1856 foreign ballots, it is
understood no attempt had been made To write
any p0cy holders name the envelope. as in
many Of the perfected" cases, the space being
left blank.
This explains the inspectors statements that
they personally, knew that no box had con-
tained such affidavit as that described by
Mr. Scrugham
It is asserted also that the "perfected' ballots
were received in four Of the general boxes,
which, when opened by the inspectors disclosed
perfected" envelopes distributed among the
genuine ones
Il is further alleged that there were not only
eleven hundred perfected" notes, but more
than five thousand perfected" envelopes and
"perfected Witnesses signatures on the actual
ballots themselves.
Darlington himself. it is said, has told the
District Attorneys office that he was present
At the opening Of every box and that. while he
did not see the Ralston AFFIDAVIT he did not see
In the 4. 100 ba lots" box any other box any
such affidavit as that described by his chief.
me District Attorneys office sent to the New
YORK Life yesterday for more than 1000 Sus-
pected ballots. Regarding Mr. ScruRhams as
sertion that Louis Marshall on behalf of the
committee, argued the very point Of the COM
mittee's having perfected" ], 100 ballots, in
spectiOn Of the minutes OF the argument. 1t Is
said, showed that no reference was made TO any
such point. the nearest approach being 10
whether the committee had a right TO open and
inspect ballots and If found imperfect 10 return
them 10 the policyholder for correction.