The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-12-04

Liberal. On general principles we
don't believe Leidy is the man. Edit
ors are provcrbially exemplary in this
respect. Ministers and doctors are
rather noted for such escapades but ed
ltors never.
RiUULF OR RUIN RING.
LocL-Ja,o Grip on the Public !eat-1he
Jtohrcr- Io,oe Devil-Fish Holding on
The Election Contests.
We stated: in last weeks ADVANCE
that J. A. Town had contested the cleo
ton orr. r. Miller and James Walker
the election of E. s. Mills. We have
not seen the points in the Walker-Mills
contest, but,lealn that they are in the
main the same as those in the Town.
Miller contest. Elsewhere we give the
points and grounds in the latter. the
main ones being: ::
l. The canvass Of the returns was H.
legal because the board began the count
before the returns were all in and ad-
tourned over until tire next day to A.
wait the returns from Olney township,
when they met again and counted the
Olney returns and declared the result.
If this was illegal, it was their own do
ing. 1t was the business of Auditor
Walker to know that the returns were
nll in before the count began. .Attor-
ney Clark asked the board to see that
they we're all in before beginning, but
County Attorney Rohrer interferred
and mumbleN' something i'll his usual
style, when Auditor Walker shufiled
the returns a moment, and the board
began the count without seeing that
the returns were complete. 1t is the
general opinion that this was 4 trick
arranged before hand 80 that Rohrer,
Town 4: Co. could take advantage of
it in case the returns were against them.
lsohrer sat by and advised the adjourn
ment, and now he declares in behalf of
his sheriff, Town, that such action was
illegal.
2. The law is unconstitutional which
provides that in case of tie vote for a
county office the election shall be deter
mined by lot. On this point we are not
competent to speak, but we judge that
Rohrer has put this in, like the lair in
the biscuit, to I'LL up"
3. That Bloom and Leota are not now
and never have been organized town.
ships. The records, however, show that
they were organized with full set of
town officers, and have been, de facto at
least, organized and existing towns
since last spring.
4. That in Worthington village, To-
rain and Summit Lake the places of
holding the election were illegally
changed. We are assured that in each
of these precincts the change was legal
ly made and sufficient notice given.
S. That in Dewald the judges of cleo
ton "wllolly refused to count or can
vass all OF any" Of the votes cast for J.
A. Town. On the surface this appears
to be so. The votes from DewalL were
returned~for John A. Town." but the
canvassing board counted them for u.
A. Town." so that there was no wrong
done to him.
These are the main grounds of con-
test. They are thin" enough, certain
ly, but they do for Town and Rohrer to
hang contest on and to make last
desperate effort to hold OIL to the coun-
ty udder. If it were not for the fact
that the taxpayers will have to foot
large share of the bills, we should throw
up our hat and dance Il jig over this
contest, for it makes good every word
TIE ADVANCE las uttered as to the des-
perate. determination of the Worthing-
ton Ring to rule or ruin.
Let us look further ut the facts of this
contest: There was as fair and sqnarean
election as ever WAS held in the county,
and the Peoples Ticket triumpled.
But now come 1solrer, Town 4 Go. and
charge fraud, illegal,ty and neglect Of
duty upon a number Of township Off
GERS and judges of election and upon
their own canyasSing board. The cam
wasting board WAS composed OF Audi
tor James Walker and Justices II. D.
l1umiston and l. p. Durfee. The two
Justices were selected because they were
kno VI to he with the ring ticket and
against the peoples ticket. At the can
vass they had it i'll their own way and
gave Town & Co.. the benefit of every
doubt. and even made themselves u ju-
liciA instead Of ministerial board and
welit beyond their legal powers in order
to give Town and Walker everything
which could possibly be construed for
them. The votes from Dewald return
ell for John A. Town" they counted
for j. A. Town. One vote returned
fronHsIhdian Lake for ''jaton" they
counted for Town also, though it might
AS well have been counted for Jason of
Golden Fleece fame, 50 far us the right
of the board to 50 count it was concern
ed. enc vote from Hersey returned
for walker" was counted for James
Walker. And after thus giving Town
and Walker all that could be construed
for them, because they knew that every
vote would lie needed. they stultified
themselves by throwing out vote re-
turned for ''Barbour'' because Barber
didn't need it.
Thus having it all in their own hands,
giving Town and Walker the benefit of
every doubt, and still being beaten,
they come, forward and take advantage
Of their own shortcomings, blunders
and tricks, and endeayor to cheat the
people out of their expressed choice for
two county Offices. and, worse yet,