Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1869-11-05
TIE PATRIOT.

When the Harrisburg Patriot undertook
to forestall public opinion by giving what il
calls correct state of the case 10 regard
to the Senatorial election in this district, il
should have been so certain of its facts, that
neither a suppression Of nor an addition 10
the truth would have been necessary TO
make its point. It's statement that 'the
member Of the board from Allegheny town
ship took with him the tally paper which
should have been deposited in the ballot
box, and left sealed 10 the box the certificate
of the election officers giving the number of
votes cast for each candidate, lacks this
very impor taut ingredient viz: The afore
said certificate aoas deUoid Of the signatures
Of aRy Of tbe officers, The one now on file
IN the Prothonotary's office having been
signed on Friday night after the election
when all of these election officers, the re-
turn judge excepted, were Juactus o6jcio.
Again. when the district return judges
met at Bedford. the regularly appointed
Judge, knowing that bogus judge-ap-
pointed by a minority Of five, was on hand
demanded to know whether he was TO be
recognized as the proper Representative Of
this county. before surrrndering his returns;
being assured that he was so recognized, he
with clerk nominated by him, took their
seats at the board, and acted with it. The
returns being pre,en'ed, in violation of their
sworn duty, the other two judges proceeded
10 add to the official certificate from this
county, the vote of Allegheny township
which had been rejected by the board OF
judges here, and upon that count, declared
Hiram Fin4lay elected, and forthwith pro-
ceeded to make out certificate to that ef
feet, and the regular return Judge from this
county refusing to be party to this altera-
ton OF his own certified papers, and refusing
to sign d certificate thus obtained for Find.
lay, it was presented to and signed by the
bogus return judge. Being thus outraged
and deceived, the regular return Judge from
this county proceeded to foot up the duly
certified vote, and made out certificate in
accordance Herewith in favor of Mr. Scull.
Now, on this state of facts we suggest.
First, The board of return judges Of this
county acted in a strictly legal manner. when
they refused to receive tally paper from
Alleghauy township in place OF the cer,if
cate required by law Second. The minority
of return judges Of this county had no legal
right to constitute themselves into a board.
appoint one of their fellows district re
turn judge, or make out a certificate Of the
vote cast in the county. Third, The judge |
aud one inspector from Allegheny township, |
had no legal right to make out a certificate
such as is required by law. three days after
their official life had ended. Fourth, The
district return judges had no legal right to
add to, or take from the properly certified |
vote Of this county. Fifth, The admission
Of t,cO return judges from this county into
the meeting Of district judges, was not only
Illegal but fraudulent and farcicaL
These views being correct, Mr.. Scull was
and is entitled to the certificate as matter
Of law and Of right; but be assents to the
that the voters of Allegheny
township may not be disfranchised becausr
Of the gross stupidity Of their election
officers, and there Is probability that the
proper committee of the Senate may so de
eide, and there being no other objection to
the legality of Mr. Findlay's election award /
him the seat.
Finally, Mr.. Scull is not personally anxious
to bold seat in the Senate. He took the
a few days before the election.
"ith 'ha hop" af ranonoilinr party Il fficul,io.
and thus saving to his political friends a |
district, which their numerical strength en- |
titled them to. This Is not question merel, |
personal to Mr FindIav and himself, but il
involves the rights of the voters of tn,
Senatorial district If Mr. Findlay is legally |
elected, DO one will more cheerfuly concede /
the fact than will Mr. ScuIl, but he will no
permit himself to he tricked into falls
position by The convenient return judges /
from Fulton and Bedford, nor quietly sub |
nit to misrepresentation from the Harris
burg Fatriot-Somerset Herald and Whi0. |