The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-12-25
The Case Of Contested Election
By Our Special Reporter. a,

BY Our Special Reporter.] ui
Perhaps you know and perhaps you do
not-but I'll not play perhaps withyou-In
the, city Of Ottumwa, County Of Wapello and
State If Iowa, commencing on Monday the
10th inst, we had case of contested elect
ton. It was a merry affair, and I propose
to give you brief history of it.
The dsgnitaries whe. took jurisdiction Of
the matter were ex-ofacio Judge Flint, and
associates Michael and Ross The parties
contestant and Incumbent, were Thomas
Bigham and Thomas Fowler; and the sub.
ject of condensation, County Judge of Wap-
clio County. In the statement of his case
to the court the contestant took this posi-
ton: First-The County Court has no au-
thority to issue naturalization papers--it not
being, in the meaning of the Law. a court Of
record and common Law jurisdiction. Sec
ond.-That some thirty persons-foreigners
by birth--had been naturalized by said
County Judge and Third-fhat these said
persons had all voted for Incumbent. These
propositions being admitted, the Incumbent
would, of necessity be ousted, for he received
only nine majority.
The statement Of Incumbent was "per
CONTRA" as matter Of consequence. Up TO-,
and until the close Of the statements OF At
tornics, things moved on smashingly.
As soon, however, as the witnesses were
called for, the wheels Of the old machine be-
gan to clog. and by the way it should be
understood, that the witnesses for contestant
were an sons Of Erin-that they had been
fully posted by - SOME one as to their
legal rights in reference to fees, and appear
ed anxious to turn matters to their advant-
age. Mr.. Some one had furthermore ad-
vised these s'unfortunate men," that this
movement was intended as an impeachment
Of their characters. As matter of course,
they were loudmouthed and very FESTIVE.
The first witness called was James B..
Att'y-"Mr B. be sworn
All tdtIl dn TcIuSc W SWAT!
Att'y-"Hold up your hand and be sworn
BAN faith an refuse to swar, till
Misther Bigim gives me a dollar and tin
cints."
Au'y--"Wcre you not paid this morning
for to-day"
BAN wasn't here yister ay, an I
hav'nit been paid for that, an faith an re.
fuse to swar p
Here the Court interered and required the
witness to be sworn and depose.
Att'y-"Wherc were you born -
BIN Ireland"
Att'y-"How old were you when you
came to this country p
B-"Twinty- one"
Att'y-"Who gave you your naturaliza-
ton papers ~
B-"'An faith an it was dacent man ~
Aa'y-"Do you mean the County Judge
gave them to your"
B." tAnwhy shud ne rot ~
Atty-'Did you vote at the last October
Election p
B-"Yis, faith did"
Att'y-"For whom did you vote for the
office Of County Judge -
B--.For hon plosed, Strand 81 OBJ.
iect to that qncstion"--was the compound
respons". " "a Fsf'tets
This question could not be asked, until
the witness had been shown to be an illegal
voter the question Of the case-H IS the
County Court authority to issue naturaliza-
ton papers The discussion Of this ques-
lion destroyed two days-and its decision
destroyed contestants case; and in this
condition it goes, | suppose, by Bill Of Elk.
captions to the District Court. A. D. v.
P.,S. understand contestant was no,
disappointed by the decision ofthe Court.
| THE % IowA.-Itis expected that this
lvS Ca 4 A. a.