The New York herald., 1879-12-04

CITY POLITICIANS EXCITED OVER THE UNcER-
TAINTY AS TO WHO WILL BE DECLARED
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SENATOR PIERcE's
vfEws-A CURIOUS STORY.
The excitement in political circles tho present
uncertainty as to who will be the next Lieutenant
Governor of the State was kept up all day yester-
day. The Views of leading democrats on the situa-
tion published in the HERALD for two days past.
was eagerly canvassed all Sides The democrats
held that it strictly within the province of the
Board of State Canvassers to count the accord
ing they believed the returns should be
If in the discharge Of this duty they found it
sary to go behind the technical record transmitted
them by the election officers in the various coun-
ties. many claimed that they possessed all the
qusite power to do so. On this latter proposition,
however. there is palpable division in the demo-
cratic ranks, the conservative element OF the
party frankly acknowledging that the canvassers
have no power whatever to go behind the official
returns The republicans appear to have cast Off
their aspect of Affected indifference ut the
alleged contemplated action Of the State Board to
declare Mr.. Potter elected. 1t is said that Senator
Conkling has instructed some Of his supporters to
be vigilant and watchful that all proper measures
are taken to secure the final declaration Of Mr..
Hoskins election Some of the party leaders in diff
ferent parts of the State determined it is said
to have able counsel attend the sessions of the State
Board. which will hold its first session the 18th
inst. in the Secretary of States office in Albany.
The legal representatives will be instructed to
strongly protest against any proposition that may
be made to go behind the returns filed, and will
insist that the only proper method for Mr.. Potter
pursue il he thinks he entitled the Office is 10
sue out writ of quo warranto and have the ques-
tions at issue settled in a court of law.
WHAT SENATOR PIERCE SAYS
Sfafa Gana afnrp piarca fnnn nv HunA
porter yesterday in his Office on broadway. When
asked il he thought Mr.. Potter had any chance to OBJ
piled, THAT is very broad question. and one
extremely difficult to answer onhand have heard
stories that in the late election many ballots
cast bearing the name of G. NJ. Potter instead Of
Clarkson N Potter, as was evidently intended. Now.
it is a question in my mind whether the intent of
o voter can be taken into consideration by o body
such as is the Board OF State Canvassers. 1t does
to however, as il the intention of the voter
can only be taken into consideration by the Stale
Canvassers in one contingency. II the boards OF
local county election inspectors i'll their to
the State Board of Canvassers enclose the alleged
fective c. NJ. Potter ballots why. then. have no
doubt. from u cursory examination of tine law
the subject Board could have full discretion
as to whether these votes would be given to Clark
N. Potter"
allow could the Board tell that G. NJ. Potter meant
'rhat would be question for the canvassers to
determine themselves in the exercise OF their dscr
tion.
"But it would be only mere assumption. after
oil, would it not?
q aSSump-
tion and such. would doubt have the effect OF
the State"
Then, in your judgment. the Board can give Mr.
Potter all these alleged detective ballots provided
they have been returned to the canvassers by local
election officers in the different countiesY
"Exactly that is my position. II, rs have said,
the Board OF SAFE Canvassers IL position to have
ocular demonstration of the fact that many persons
in the State voted for @. NJ Potter believing that
they were supporting the democratic nominee, then
they can give the latter credit for all these ballots
M nyla am fa n afntfa hath, Mr.
ter would be elected even with all these votes
counted for him."
What powers possessed by the Board in case
the ballots have not been placed before them for in
spectionT'
II think, in that event. the only remedy that
would be possessed by Mr. Potter would be an ap-
peal to the courts"
could the canvassers take action in his IA
vorg'
II can't see that they could without they went be-
hind the returns They would have no evidence be-
fore them that &c. NJ. Potter was intended tor &c.
N Potter. On the other hand, it they had all these
ballots Defore them they could determine very easily
whether the voters who held these defective ballots
intended to support Mr. Clarksou N. Potter. At any
rate they wou have the power to count the ballots
for him, and thus help hIm to overcome the appar-
ent majority Of the republican candidate"
''Wbat remcdy, then, could Mr.. Potter have?|
''He could sue out writ of quo warranto and have
possible"
would the action of the canvassers come up for
review?
Most assuredly. The whole subject could be in
vestigated and il Mr.. Potter entitled his
he would get IT. Every thing pertinent to the issue
in the least degree would before the court and
in short. general Investigation would be held"
CURIOUS STORY.
1t was said yesterday by very prominent
members of the democratic party. now in this city,
that the State Board of Canvasscrs would make no
unusual exertons to secure MIR. Potters election.
"All the members OF the Board remarked one
gentleman with the exception of young Mr. Sey
mour, defeated at the last election. Beach,
Mackin, Olcot and Schooninaker all retired to
private life the people OF the State and these gentle
will not be disposed to work very hard to
the election of Mr.. Potter on this account. His cleo
tion would bring more prominently forward the un-
popularity OF the other men on the ticket with the
exception of Soy ymour. Besides, Mr. Potter would
become very prominent the politics of the
nation anu 1T is rumored that MIR. Tilden does not
desire to be overshadowed by that gentleman. Tho
present State officers have not worked in harmony
since the election. Some of them have become. in
measure jealous of the success of Mr.. Seymour, and
il is hardly likely as said ut first, that Mr. Potter
will be given much OF chance by the State Can
vassers.
A TURBULENT ELECTION