New-York tribune., 1911-11-06
TAmMANY's TACTICS AT POLLS

70 the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir. Pure elections are tho basis OF all
good government, for by them alone can
the people express their Will. Ihere can
be no good government in our state OF CITY
as long as Tammany Hall wields the
nouer for its purpose is to defeat the VIII
OF the people.
Ntv personal experience has shown me
IN some degree how Tammany men carry
ont their nefarious plan. On Election Day
1909, was acting In the capacity oi
watcher in one Of tho election districts III
n notorious section downtown. From the
time OF our arrival a. the polls, at a. m'''
a watcher and myself noticed strong
determination on the part Of the Tammany
members OF the board and considerasie
crowd of men, who were already assem-
bIed IN the room where the election was
TO be held to prevent us from doing our
duty as watchers.
In passing to take up our position inside
Of the railing-which the law allows-we
were purposely jammed between men, who
stepped on our feet, crowded US to one
side, and muttered yelled and unveiled
threats Of what would happen to us II we
remained at that polling booth. Finally,
getting behind the railing. We were met by
the rufiian who was titled chairman OF
the board" and who demanded to know
by what right we were privileged to be
there Upon mentioning our credentials as
being sufficient authority, he demanded to
see them. Ny co-watcher unwisely gave
the credentials to the chairman, who i'm
mediately tore them in pieces and told us
he'd give US two minutes TO get out OF the
polls
My co-watcher took his stand close to
the registration book. while I arranged my
Identification cards. When he attempted to
compare q voters signature with the regis
tratlon signature lie was severely as
sauted by the chairman Of the election
board, who struck him several heavy
blows upon the face and head. My watcher
friend demanded that the policeman pres
ent should arrest the chairman but this
wise chairman retalsted by demanding
that the watcher be arrested. The officer
made no arrests. Later In the morning the
watcher went out with the marks fresh
upon his face to get a warrant for the
chairman's arrest, but was unable 10 get
one until o'clock I'm the afternoon
There seemed to be several men there
after who made It their business to make
II impossible for me 70 observe either COM
parison OF signatures or make identifca-
ton of voters. During the afternoon /
suddenly became aware Of what was taking
place The chairman of the board when
taking ballots from voters and tearing the
stub from the ballot, would pass the voted
ballot in his left hand under his right arm
to men who stood massed against the bal
lot box, and was given another ballot In
exchange, which was then dropped into the
box
Knowing by various past events Of the
day that It would simply ia rashness 10
make an accusation IN this polling booth,
went out and called up the proper Of
ticials to whom / related the happenings
In that district. Reinforcements soon after
ward arrived, but ono Of the volunteer
watchers sent down was blackjacked with
tn fifty yards Of the polling booth
All OF which goes to show the extreme
measures that will he taken by Tammany
in order to control politics
Any one who votes the Tammany ticket
next Tuesday, no matter who IS on II, helps
10 perpetuate these methods.
A WATCHER
New York, Nov. ?, 1911