Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-03
Gardiner Local News.


The board of Aldermen gave a hearing to
the parties in the Ward contested election
case Thursday evening. Quite number of
citizens were present To listen to the argu-
mcnts. W :. Choatc, Esq, of Augusta APP
peared as counsel for +. W. Atwood, aud
David Dennis for \. ID. Nickerson. The
ground of complaint that no
revision of the Iist Of voters was made prior
to the election of April 10th. although Mr..
Atwood requested such revision in order that
certain names might be stricken from the
list, the persons not being residents and
legal voters of the ward, and that the names
of other legal voters of the ward might be
added. Mr.. Atwood allie ged that the names
of five persons who voted for Mr.. Nickcrsun
should have bt en- stricken from the list, four
of whom had been residents of other wards
more than thirty days, and the fifth was
resident of Augusta. and voted there at the
March election. Mr.. Atwood also produced
list OF twelve persons who certified that
they were legal vote : of Ward ). and should
have voted tor f. ". Atwood at the election
of April 10th al their names been upon the
voting list. y +. Nickcrson presented the
names Of six D. +, ms who voted for Mr. At
wood and were not legal voters. three being
Richmond. and two paupcrs The last two
were shown to have been soldiers in the late
war. and by the statutes were not di>fran-
chised by being helped by the city. He also
produced the names of seven persons who
certified that they were residents of the ward
and should have voted for A. ID. Nickrrson
had their names been upon the voting list ON
the day of the election. Two of these, how
ever, wert proved not to he residents of the
ward.
In presenting the case Mr.. Choate stated
that falling to revise, or to give notice of the
revision of the list of voters did not render
the election Illegal. The Aldermen were the
judges of the election of members to their
own board In contested cases like the pres
ent. they could sitt the whole evidence to the
bottom. II it were proved to them that the
erasion of names of illegal voters or the adj
dition of names Of legal voters. would hav,
changed the result of the election. it was
competent for the Aldermen to reject the
votes of those voting illegally, and to count
the votes of those entitled to vote. in accord
ance with the certified intention. as though
they had actually voted at the election. He
further stated that in accordance with the
facts, Mr.. Nickerson received AT the election
of the 10th ultimo. l0t votes, de luctng the 8
illegal votes would leave him 80 votes. adding
should have voted for him, and we have a
total of l04 votes for 4. ID. Nickerson. Mr.
Atwood received % votes at the election. de-
ducting four illegal votes leaves 81, and add
ing II who certified that they should have
voted for him. and we have a total of l03
votes for f. w. Atwood. There were three
scattering votes thrown at the election, henr,
the result would be Nickerson lO4. Atwood
1913 scattering 3; total, 2l0; necessary for a
choice, 100. As neither party had that num-
Der there was consequently no election ri
defence presented no argument. but were
willing to leave the facts with the
Aldermen and abide by their d,c-
sion. The spectators were requested to
withdraw, and after nelibcrating upon the
case, the Aldermen decided that neither per
son was elected and they have issued war
rants for another election to take place next
Friday.
Mr. Daniel johnson of South Gard-
ner, has been in the habit for
years of putting portion of his
potatoes into potato hole in his field at the
time of digging. andhe did the same last fall.
storing about % bushels therein for spring
use. One day last week he opened the hole
and found his potatoes in excellent condition,
and not wishing to remove them then recuv-
cred the pit. 4 day or two since he decided
to take them out but entering the place not
a potato was to be found. Somebody had
stolen the whole lot.