The New York herald., 1879-12-03
WHO is ELEC7ED2
INVESTIGATIONS of the Returns for
Lieutenant Governor.
IS IT HoSkINS OR POTTER? ?
Politicians on the Result Of the
State Election.

The announcement in the HERALD Of yesterday
that there yet strong probability that Governor
elect Cornelrs administration would be handicapped
by q democratic Lieutenant Governor in the person
of Mr. Ciarkson N. Potter. freely discussed yes
terday by the politicians. The position assumed by
Mr. Potter himself in the present controversy was
very favoraby regarded. and even <is political enc
forbore criticising the stand he had taken The
importance Of the alleged contemplated action on the
part of the Board of Canvassers docs not lie
merely IN the fact that by it Mr. Potter will be made
Lieutenant Governor. There areother considerations
very largely into the calculations of shrewd
political leaders. democrat Of national reputation
said to HERALD reporter yesterday that there was
a strong feeling among independent members Of the
party before the election In favor of accepting Mr..
Potter candidate for the Presidency it he carried
the State Of Now York His supposed defeat has Of
course modified this feeling. but it is said that If he
should ultimately be declared elected by the official
canvass he would again stand forth q very strong
candidate, and tho only one who had year before
the Presidential contest proved his ability to carry
New York State. 1t would Of course show that
united dem mocracy could sweep the State and would
infuse new life and confidence into the demo-
cratic camp. 1t will be seen. therefore, that great
deal Of importance is justly attached to the
informed and most impartial political observers Of
the republican party confess that there is some dam
ger that Mr.. Hoskins will not be allowed to serve
out q term as Lieutenant Governor. At the same
time however. these gentlemen. as well as their
brother republicans affect to scout tho idea that the
State Board Of Canvassers will formally declare Mr..
Potter elected.
''cIEARLY ILLEGAL"
.sSuch action would be clearly illegal" remarked
day. .The Board Of Canvassers has no right what
ever to go behind the returns. From information
which have just received from Albany learn that
the majority Of Hoskns. as returned by the County
Supervisors is 2s7 It is barely possible. although
not conceded by US, that q number Of persons voted
for G. M. Potter, intending to vote for the demo-
cratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor. Arc the
canvassers to say that the voters who voted these
ballots did in the belief that they support
ing Clarkson N. Potter? don't think they have
any such power. II. as several gentlemen have
stated the HERALD, the evident intention Of cit
izen to be taken into consideration. then. in my
opinion every voter who cast G. NJ. Potter ballot
must be examined In order to ascertain for whom he
dispute about 1t when that this would be going
behind the returns with vengeance. and the law
emphatically forbids such proceeding"
tions stated above They say that the Board need
90 behind the returns at all in order to give Mr.
Potter all the votes to which he is entitled. Mr..
Peter B. Olney who has taken an interest in State
politics for man. Years past. gave It as his opinion
that the Board OF Canvsssers would be compelled to
take into consideration the intention Of the voter
when such intention Ii evident.
Information has como to me- continued Mr..
German citizens cast ballots with the name Of Porter
on them instead OF Potter. have been informed
defeat f M Mr.. Hoskns. il they were counted for Mr.
Potter instead Of being returned As scattering As
said before. there is. welsettled principle of Law
which provides for the considering OF the intention
of the voter whom he deposits his ballot.
''what effect would the election Of Mr. Potter have
on the politics Of the Slater asked the reporter.
Just now cannot that IL would have any
immediate important bearing"
would IL not show that the democrats when
united, could carry the State?~
al think that has been shown already. When all
the votes cast for the two democratic nominees
taken into confederation It appears that this State
democratic by . very handsome majority. New York
will be the battle ground In the next Presidential
son to believe that it viii 60 any other way than
democratic"
''dr. Potter's election would make him very prom
'sUndoubtedly. His record in Congress. and es-
pecially in connection with the Fraud Investigating
Committee has been most creditable. His election
as Lieutenant Governor of this State would add
greatly to his reputation and standing which are al
prominent in national politics than he is at present
WHAT GENERAL wINGArE SAYS
General George W. Wingate said that. 80 far as he
w,
steps have the State Canvassers count misspelled
Potter ballots for that gentleman.
many counties in the State in which the republican
inspectors refused to credit Mr. Potter with votes
because of some slight technical irregularity.
think that in counties false returns have been
made. The Law provides in the plsinest manner that
the vote for Governor aud Lieutenant Governor shall
be counted together. In many parts of the State,
however, and notably in somc republican counties.
the returns for Lieutenant Governor were not made
until week or ten days after the returns for Cover
var MT N
.'what action can the State Board Of Canvassers
take in the matterr
receive due consideration Wherever 1t appears that
ballot has been cast with the name Of candidate
misspeed, and IL appears that the voter intended to
vote for that candidate. then such ballot should be
counted for that candidate"
.'But the canvassers cannot 60 behind the
turnsr'
''They have q right to examine the returns Of the
County Canvassers however. just the lattcr body
has right examine the returns of the district In
pectors OF election. Whore they consider that
turn In irregular they empowered by Law to send
one very Important point must not be lost sight Of
The State Canvassers can only count the votes AZ re-
turned to them, II these votes-which were evi-
IDENTIFY cast for Mr.. Potter. but not allowed to
him account Of his name being misspelled-havo
been returned to the State Board. then they
doubtedly be counted for MIR. Potter. II. however.
they not been returned. the canvassers cannot
count them If Mr. Potter desires to contest the
election he has . remedy In the courts OF Law.
rHR STATE SENATE.
''The State Board OF Canvassers. composed OF Sec
rotary OF State Beach. Comptroller Olcot Treasurer
Mackin. Attorney General Schoonmaker and State
Engineer seymour, will meet tho 18th inst. ut
noon in the Office Of the Secretary Of State in Al
bany. After the returns have been counted the
official declaration will be made. In the event of
MIR. Potter being declared elected very important
influence promises be exerted upon the compost
tion OF the standing committees Of the State
Senate II 10 usual FOR this body ut the opening OF
the Legislative session to elect some senator to act
as president pro tenn. in the absence of the Leuten-
ant Governor. A complimentary vote OF this char
acter usually given to distinguished Senator.
It is the prevailing opinion that IL Mr. Hoskins
should prove not to have been elected, Senator
Robertson, OF Westcnester will be called
to act as president OF that body pro tenn.
In the then condition of affairs the appointment OF
committees would probably be taken out of the
hands Of Mr.. Potter. and Judge Robertson. who is
believed to be against Senator Conkling would have