Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1874-12-24
Helena, Montana, Thursday, December Il, 1874.

notifies the clerks of the different counties to
forward their returns by express, Non the
ground that their importance justified this ex-
ira prccaution to secure their safety. This
Was unusual, the uniform method of trans
mission being by mail. If the safety of the
returns was the only object had in view by
Mr. Galloway, his conduct was commentla-
bic. He was certainly their proper custodian
after their arrival in Virginia City, and he
alone was responsible for their safety there
after: bit We find that, although Immediately
notified of their arrival i'll Virginia City by
the agent OF the express company, he either
carclessly or ciiminal'y permitted them to re-
main III the express office for the time above
specified: he took 10 prccantion 10 secure
their safety. and his zeal for their safety
seem, TO have terminated the moment bis re-
spcnSibili:y ir-ar.
We tinA also, that Nh Callavay La'i Oh,
file III his office !, number Of genuine returns
from Meaghcr county of previous elections.
\ moments comparison with the genuine
would satisfy any fair-mindc,: man, even
though not an expert, that the seals TO this
r'Epor,e,l return were forgcries.
We find, also. that the official vote of
Mcasher county, as of all the other counties,
had been published in al! or nearly all the
newspapers OF this Territory. The fact was
also undsputeL. up to the time of the open
ing of the returns of Mcsgher county by The
Board of Canvassers, that the genuine official
vote of that county showed 532 ma ajority in
favor of ''Capital Law Approved" When,
then, the three officials, charged with the re-
sponsble duty Of ascertaining and declaring
the popular verdict upon this capitol ques-
tion, were brought face to face with this
astounding forgery, exactly tr;.nsposing the
genuine vote and changing the conceded re-
suit of the election. It's difficult to conceive
how. as honest officials, they could canyass
such returns with unquestioning crc<luli,y-
wltnUut c,e" comparing il with returns
known to be genuine on file $" the very office
where the canvass was made. Where af...
wards, too, the Board of CaLvassars ad-
journcd to meet upon the 18th of September,
for the purpose of finally deciding whether
they would canvass the genuine vote of
Mcayher county and declare the truc result
Of the election, we find that Mr.. Galloway
defeated all action by refusing to convene on
that day, as had been agreed, declaring that
the Board Of Canvasscrs had become functus
otiicio.
These various circumstances surrounding
Mr.. Galloway creates grave suspicion Of
completely in the crime of forging these re-
turns; whi!cthey mayno. furnish sutlcicntlcgal
cvidenccto warrant an indictment and convic-
ton, they certainly exhibit Il reckless and
criminal disregard of his official responsible
i,y and of the rights Of the people, and prove
him to be in sympathy with the fraud it not
party 10 It.
This is the second fine that the popular
verdict upon this capital question has boon
cvadcd by fraud. We feel that its triumph
in this, its second attempt to defy and defca,
the will of tie people, will prove not only a
a local but general calamity. Ii will go far
toward showing that Fraud is stronger than
the Popular Vote, and we fear will do much
to shake public confidence in the efficacy of
the ballot-box and the permanency of free in
s,itutions The mere location of the capital
is of small importance compared with the
vital question thus involved.
We are gratified, however, TO state that re-
cent developments lead US to believe that at
no distant day all of the offenders will be
brought to justice, and such an example be
made rs will lead to prevention of such dis
grace crimes in the future,
Respectfully submitted,
J. b. Forbis, Foreman; p. T. Williams,
John Jones, G. Bardwell, J. w. Hartwell, +.
NJ. Hoyt, VIM. ID. Weir, E. Beach, Jno.
Kinna, VIM. Davenport, j. H. Green, A. J.
Davis, w. II. Guthrie, Henry Addoms, A. F.
Burns, j. G. Walker.