The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-12-19
THE ELECTION CONTEST.
TroNEsrA, PA, Dec. II, 1877.

OF human BNeubS dll buibSp haNO az
end, and one would naturally suppose
that the Election Contest of "Agnew
& Haslet," having been instituted in
legal form, and having passed in re-
view before all the legal tribunals con-
stituted by law for the settlement of
such controversies, and the final de-
cision having almost year ago been
rendered, that the whole transaction
had passed into history-and so it has,
in fact, and in the minds of all good
honest citizens of Forest County, who
in all things attend strictly to their
own business. But, by the last issue
of that estimable(?) halfsheet called
"The Forest Press" 1 notice that my
old time sworn enemies have again
Joined hands with my late indefatiga-
BILE opponent to endeavor to ,esurrect
a finished issue, AMI mislead those who
are unacquainted with the circum-
stances of the case, aud the bitter per-
sonal and political animosity of those
parties toward myself
The allegations of fraud made by
them and the scurrilous little half
sheet that does their dirty work, are
un worthy of notice in this county,
where they and this paper are so we'll
known-but, for fear misconstruction
may be placed upon this transaction
by those unfamiliar with the "true in
wardness" which prompted the publi-
cation of these last afidavits, have
reluctantly concluded to make a few
explanations
Now, in regard to the citizens Of
Tionesta Township who have been
published in the Forest Press as having
made affidavits that they voted fol
Haslet The manner in which many
of their affidavits were obtained is vel
known and needs no explanation here
That some of them were honestly mis-
taken as to how they voted or aoer
voted, l know from personal knowledg
and from information derived from m.
friends who prepared some of thei
tickets and saw them vote. Some @
the 45 can neither read nor write, an
others, as is the case with any 40 voter
you may find in similar way any
where, are easily Influenced, and, fr'
quently, depending upon the superic
] education, wisdom and judgment
others, and necessarily SO if they cal
not read, have their ballots made u
without examining them themselves
knowing what are in them, and al
frequently the victims of misplace
confidence. Many other reason
might be enumerated to show WI
some of these atlantis are honestly mi
taken, but 1 simply mention these fe
and suggest that others might be d
duced, to show that even these affid
Wits, conclusive of fraud as they a
deemed by my enemies, whose pref
dices render them blind to, and devo
of reason, are susceptible of reconcile
tion with honesty and integrity on t
part of all those who had possessi'
and control of the ballots and bale
boxes afterwards.
The evidence of Joseph Grove, j
Carson and John G.. Wyant, adduc
before the Commissioner in the &C
tested case, and published in the L.
islative Record of 1877, shows IL
there actually were mistakes made
the counting Of the votes by the Ell
ton Board of Tionesta Township, a
leave it to the calm judgment of |
prejudiced, reasonable men if tn
manner of correcting their mistakes,
shown by their own evidence, did |
have tendency of rendering "conf
ion worse confounded."
/ quote part of this testimony as
lows:
ON PART OF rLAINTIFF.
Joseph Grove, sworn:
@ Where do you resideH A TionC
borough.
Q In what capacity did you act at
last electiOnl A i was iudpe Ofthe bOrOl
electiOn.
@ State what you know, if anythi
eoncerning the irregularity or mistake
fho count of votes as to that in TionC
Iownshipi A. Well, We counted off
Electoral votes at our table; just mari