The same influences shielded the perpetrators in nearly all cases from detection or arrest. and when arrested they have. through the agency of judicial officers and others charged with the duty of prosecution. escaped all punishment. -6. Through these agencies the Democratic electors of President and VicePresident and the Democratic candidate for governor of the State of New York were fraudulently elected. "7. And the investigations of the committee show that existing State laws and the mode of enforcing them arewholly inadequate to preventthese frauds. but that Congress has the power to enact laws which. if faithfully executed. will to some extent furnish remedies hereafter. "There is no law of Congress professing to prevent or punish frauds in voting or conducting elections. and the penalties relating to certificates of naturalization are by no means adequate. "The fact disclosed by the investigation of the committee that more than 25.000 fraudulent votes were cast in New York City in November and that the guilty parties who cast them are at large without fear of punishment proves that something must be done to prevent these frauds or elections will soon degenerate into a mockery or a sham. (Page 79.) "These frauds extended to other counties of the State. as shown by the testimony and as demonstrated by the same tests applied to the city. (Page 63.) " In view of all the facts it is safe to estimate that the total fraudulent and illegal votes east in the State of New York at the election in November. 1868. were not less than and probably exceeded 50.000 votes." (Page 64.) Such was the last Presidential election conducted in New York City exclusively under State supervision. Following close upon these events the law now in question was passed by Congress authorizing the appointment of Federal supervisors to observe and report upon naturalization. registration. and voting. Eight years pass. A committee of which the Hon.
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