Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-30

Tue FeSaTu 10 tuo tVrHo Pts."s Il
ny law, whereas in the case OF tue
return from Allegheny this year,
the certificate of the district No. y
was not varied at all 6at entirely re-
iected. because in the opinion OF the
presiding judges the election in that
district, )" was Illegally held and
conducted"
The case in .9lteghany county, l
will give in the precise words in
which il was communicated TO me.
William r. Dawson, and GER
tain Pollard were candidates for the
Sherilf's Office in Allegheny county,
in 1919. In, one Of the districts { No.
6,) in making the certificate OF the
number of votes given foreach can
didate, it was certified, that the votes
were given for William B. Dawson,,
whereas in truth they were given 10
William Il. Dawson.
" The judges in ,,aking their re-
turn to the Executive, certified that
~ number of votes were given Tor
Pollard-a number for William 4.
Dawson, anu a nnlnber for William
y. Dawson. which last number be-
ing taken from the candidate Viii
liam RNDawson, left Pollard ma
.iority --and the judges declared him
duly elected. Dawson contested the
election. and carried with him to
Annapolis deposition Of the clerks
of District No. 6. (Which was the
district where the erroneous certiii-
cate was made that the votes of that
district were given to William II.
Dawson, and not to William b. Daw:
son, and chat the error arose from
the hurry in making out the certifi-
cate"
The propriety Of this return and
the claims oc Pollard 10 the Sheriff
fatty, were recommended TO the go
vernon and eouncil in the following
letter from Upton Bruce. Zone Of
the late candidates in Allegheny
who made Pollard the bearer Of the
letter.
Cumberland, Oct. f4th, 1919.
Gentlemen,
This will be handed to yen by Mr..
POLLARD. the returned Sheriff from
this county, who goes to Annapolis,
respecting his election. which his
opponent wishes TO contest. The re-
turn is regular, and legal, though
it is quite certain on error or mis-
take has happened, or the returns
sconld have been different. The mis-
take however is one Of that kind that
cannot be set right. The power OF
the Judges is complete and iheir re-
turns cannot he set aside. A case
very much like tie present occurred
in this county at the Sheriff's cleo
ton three years ago. The return
from one of the Dstricts. was evil
dcn,Iy illegal. and could it have been
set aside, the present Sheriff would
have lost his election. and George
Brace got the commission. AppIi-
cation was made to the Executive,
nut they refused to interiere-saying
the return in its face appeared cor
rect, that The Judges alone were
empowered to decide, and their Ger.
tiaeate in lue form as the law re-
qnired would be The guide and would
net be departed from. Party feel
inSs could have TO weight there, for
The decision was against the Repub-
Iican candi'!ate-now (it is true) the
same deci son will operate in favor
of the present Republican candidate,
unless howcsr, Mr.. Pollard is eAti-
tied 10 it,* upon fair Legal principles,
and upon such as will al all times
apply, and as have always been the
rule, we do not wish it for him.
With great respect,
Your obcdient servant.
U. BRUCE.
His Fxcc!lency Robt. Bowie, Esq.
or John Stephens, Esq. Annapolis.
The executive governor Bowie,
and his CcunciD ordered commits
sion TO issue 10 pcltord. observing.
that the retain Of the judges Of the
election must be conclusive, Gnd that
It .couia be attended ,cith bad eonSe-
qnences i collateral testimony was
to be receired to set aside al! the ne
turns Of the Judges"
These are unanS7cerGble eases in
point, but they are not the oni. ores,
In the proceedings of the house
*.Nr. Bruce requested that the
Council should not decide in .far0r
Mt HE ..e-,nbi;con fripuh DniIUpd