New-York tribune., 1910-11-09
FEW ARRESTS OF VOTERS
Magistrates Sweep Aside Cases
involving Technical Errors.
WiCkERSHEM CHALLENGED
Error Discovered and Patrolman
Didn't Make Arrest of
Attorney General.

It was one Of the duietest elections ever
seen in New York City. The courts had
virtually nothing to do, whereas in pre-
vious years many arrests for Illegal voting
were made and election brawls made work
for police and magistrates.
BY a fortunate turn of affairs United
States Attorney General George Wicker
sham escaped arraignment in police
court. Some one in the registry verifica-
tion system ignored the law which gives
federal employees the right to vote from
their last place Of residence, no matter how
long they have been absent, and because
MIR. Wickersham was not found at No Sc
East 51st street, where he lived before
going TO Washington, he was challenged
and Patrolman Hebrant, of the East 9Th
street station. awaited his arrival at the
polling place in the 18th Assembly District.
William Leary, State Superintendent of
Elections, heard of the error in time to
have the patrolman withdrawn legally by
means of a subpoena before Mr.. Wicker
sham arrived.
Mr. Wickersham arrived at the polling
place at 1:30 p. m. and smiled when told
Of his escape from arrest He drew from
his pocket certificate Of federal office OBJ
tanned in Washington before he came
residence at No. SO East 51st street.
Marcus NJ. Levy, deputy superintendent
of elections, was arrested and taken TO the
Yorkville court charged with illegal regis
tration in the 10th District of the 2Oth AS
sembly District He was discharged when
arraigned before Magistrate Cornell late in
the day. the complaint against him having
been withdrawn.
Magistrates Friend Arrested.
Charles Q. Brewster, an attorney, was
arrested in the polling place at No. 63I
Park avenue by Patrolman Pearsall, of the
East 9th street station, who had a Chal-
lenge list with Mr.. Brewster's name on it.
He was taken before Magistrate Cornell,
in the Yorkville court, who became angry
when he recognized his friend. He lectured
PatrOIman Pearsall severely for arresting
Mr.. Brewster without warrant and then
discharged the prisoner.
If ] were in Mr.. Brevster's place I
would make some one suffer for this in
dignity" said the magistrate oThe lax
manner of handling election cases, result
ing in the arrest of reputable citizens with
out cause, is outrageous"
William II. Johnson an aged negro OF
No. 302 West 6Gth street, came before Mag
istrate Herman. in the West Side court
A sponge and derby hat figured peculiarly
in the case, Johnson claiming that these
articles left in his room al the above ad-
dress constituted proof of his legal resi-
dence there. 1t appeared that the old man
had quarrelled with his Iandlady and was
but while he wandered off
with his bed and other articles he left the
derby hat and sponge there, with the Sc
cret satisfaction that he was preserving his
right to vote from that address.
DO you believe that these things con-
sttute a legal residence" demanded Dep
uty Attorney General Moffat, turning to
Barlow Weeks, representing the Democrats
Exactly as much as bundle of laundry
sent by the late Senator Platt to Tioga
made that his residence, when he never
went near the place" Mr.. Weeks replied.
johnson was discharged.
Many Cases; One Man Held.
Richard Donker, sixty years old, Civil
u ar veteran, was charged in the West Side
court with trying to vote under the name
OF Richard Duncan, which name he has
borne since the war broke out, when he
ran away and enlisted under an assumed
name. He broke down and pleaded not to
Ice placed in cell for the first time In his
life His case was quickly disposed Of.
OF the thirteen prisoners arraigned in the
Essex Market court, charged with Illegal
voting Magistrate O'Connor held only one.
John j. Jackman, a clerk. Jackman was
held in 81 coo bail for examination this morn
ing.
Magistrate Kernochan, I'm the Morrisania
court. ordered the discharge of two prison.
ers arrested on charges of Illegal voting
The magistrate instructed the police to
cease making arrests when clerical errors
were responsible.
Five prisoners charged with Illegal voting
came before Magistrate Herbert. in the
Tcmbs court, up TO noon. and all were dis
charged Amadeo Astorita, one Of the men,
,agietered from No. 1S5 Mott street, which
address was obiterated when the entrance
"a tho Williamsburg Bridge was laid out
A storita's home then had an entrance from
nolancev street. but his registration bore
tho ola address. He was discharged.
Ton minutes after the polling place at No |
9,s prooI, avenue, The Bronx. was opened
,.,,o ooured out of the basement which |
i OI, unbolstery shop, occupied bv Morris
: :, - Voting had TO he resumed in "A bar
I ts' ~ III, ~ next door, where three men were |
rtI ,9P S,'P in line 10 vote. The fire did little |
damage.
roR NEW ORLEANS EXPOSITION