New-York tribune., 1910-11-13
NO FRAUD, SAYS MURRAY
Republican Assemblyman Elect
Calls Rival Sore Loser"

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: In The Tribune of November IL a
statement Of Harold A Content, my Demo
cratic opponent for Assembly. is published
Your publication staets that MI content
has decided to contest the election. claiming
fraud and numerous irregularities. II IS
immaterial TO me whether he contests the
election or not but l do not propose TO
prenit the charge of fraud to pass without
denial.
Mr. Content, after a most expensive and
extravasant campaign was beaten on the
face of the returns by 216 votes This is
"a si1v accounted for Mr. Content is
young man. twenty-three years of age, tenn
porarily living in Columbia College dorni-
tory, in the district, while he is attending
law school His parents live in the Hotel
ST. Regis in another district. which Is his
actual home He was unknown in the 18th
Assembly District, where he ran, while on
the other hand I have had a continuous
residence in the district for seven years and
have been twice elected to the Assembly.
and made a record that was bound to with
stand even the Democratic sweep that car
ried the district for Dix
Ny opponent and his friends have gone to
the greatest extremes to bring about my
defeat. but have not been successful l
was indorsed by the Independence League
in the district. Two Democratic district
leaders and Mr.. Content shortly thereafter
We're in Tammany Hall and planned to
contest the Independence League indorse-
ments the ground of fraud and irreg-
ularities. 1t was proposed that Mr. Con-
tent himself make an affidavit as TO these
frauds and Irregularities. although he was
not at the convention. friend of his,
active in Democratic politics in the dis
trict told him not TO do il. whereupon an
other swore to the affidavit. although he
was not present at the Independence
League Convention
The hearing on these objections was
fixed before the Board of Elections on
October 20. 1910. 1 met the Democratic
leader of the district the day before and
pointed out to him that the affidavit was
false. The result was that when the OBJ
jectiCns were called before the Board OF
Elections no one appeared TO prove them.
Mr.. Contents charge OF fraud is not
specific, but it crfminally involves the elec-
ton inspectors. Republican and Demo-
cratic. wherever these alleged frauds oc-
CURED.
I have always advocated and worked for
honest elections. and if the evidence Is
1urnlSneu me DIV MI content or any OF
his friends showing the election districts
where the alleged frauds took place. I will
insist upon criminal prosecutions Person.
ally. deny that there was any fraud or
any irregularity. The returns show that L
was elected by a majority of 2l6 votes.
There are only forty-two defective ballots
in the whole district and my investigation
shows that if these ballots had been count
ed most of them being Republican. my ma
jority would be increased. AS l have said.
do not care whether the election Is con-
tested or not. but do resent and deny this
charge of fraud.
Mr. Content has the distinction OF being
| the only defeated candidate in the state
who attributes his defeat To fraud. II
sounds TO me like the wall OF a sore loser.
ANDREW F. MURRAY
| New York. Nov u. 1910.