Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-07
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
TIE TRUSTEE RECOUNT.

The recount Of the ballots cast at the late
election for Messrs. Knox and Nielsen for
Second Trustee was concluded yesterday. In
Precinct Mr.. Nielsen gained one. but soon
after the box Of Precinct 81 was opened ard
the couu5 of its contents commenced it was
discovered that something was wrong. 1t
was runored few days since that some uE-
precedented developments would be made
upon examination of the ballots of this pre-
cinct. Upon full inquiry nothing could be
obtained Of the hinted-at startling facts, but
il was ominously intimated that certain
man, who had bet upon the result of the
vote, had, upon the night of the election, and
while the vote was being counted, hid him.
self beneath the table of the election officers
and scratched Nelson's name to such an ex-
tent that his bet would be safe upon recount.
Mr.. Knox, upon hearing of the rumor,
proposed to withdraw his suit for recount,
IS should the Tumored irregularity prove to
have foundation the intimation might be
raised that he was knowing to it. @. L.
Jones, of Mr.. huox's counsel, thereupOn
called upon the man to which the rumored
tampering pointed, and made full inquiry,
but the nam said there was absolutely moth
ing whatever in the charge, and the rumor
was supposed to have been effectively pricked
as an election bubble and the suit was al
lowed to stand.
When the recount of the ballots of Precinct
81 had progressed few moments yesterday,
there appeared evidence that the ballots had
been tampersd with by some one, and in a
yyaywhich strongly supported previous ru-
mors, as lead-pencil lines had been struck
across the face Of large number of ballots,
not always upon the same name and some
times not Just upon any name, but which
had the appearance of having been intended
to cancel Nielsen from the ticket At times
these pencil.marks would be horizontal across
the ticket. and at others at angles, while still
others wera nearly perpendicular. The Court
and attorneys were entirely nonplussed by
the denOlement, for it was done by person
with intent TO deliberately tsmper with the
ballots and elect the opponent 1t was so
patent. and 30 bunglingly done, as to entirely
defeat the purpose but if it were not for this
object, the real cause which should move TO
it and the opportunity for its accomplishment
were alike inexplicable. As soon as enough
of the ballots thus marked had been taken
out to disclose the situation, Mr.. Jones i'm
mediately asked The Court, on behalf OF his
client, Mr.. Knox, to dismiss the suit, as it
was not desired to win the case under any
circumstances, If there could be the least op-
pOrtunity for suspicion OF untalrness, or any
question as to tbs actual number of votes re-
ceiyed by each candidate. The case was
thereupon dismissed as requested.
Much comment was INDUCED in last even
ing as to the manner in which the irregulsrity
was committed, and what could have been
the object but whatever may be said about
the matter the fact is revealed that, as has
already been stated in these columns quite
recently, the method of conducting our cleo
tions is extremely slipshod, and so loose as to
be strong invitation to fraud, and to render
the intended choice of the people a matter of
the utmost uncertainty, and contingent upon
the lack of effort upon any who might have
an object 10 defeating it. In this instance
there can be but little doubt that the mark
ing of the ballots was done at the polling
place on the evening when the original count
was made. and it Is not creditable to the
manner in which such counts are conducted
that it could have been done, with polling
officers representing both political parties and
supposed to have been specially selected to
preyeut such o possibility.