The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-03
The Trouble in Ward Three

A few Republicans in Ward Three have
put themselves in a position which seems
to us utterly unreasonable and indefensible
on any other ground than a determination
TO make mischief. They brought to this
office Friday night a document which we de-
clined to publish for them, and it was then
taken to the Argus Office. by which journal
it was gladly published with comments such
as were to be expected. We have since care
fully examined the matter of their COM
plant, representatives of the PRESS having
conversed with all the parties who had any
knowledge of the subject matter.
The document when brought to the Press
had five or six names signed to it; but these
names do not appear in the Argus. They
are well enough known in the ward. They
urge Republicans to support Mr.. Prince at
the polls. and we were informed that thew
presented his name in this way with his an
prevail.
They do this, they say, because they are
not satisfied with the conduct of the caucus
by which Mr.. Kelsey was nominated, receiy
ing 121 votes, 11s being necessary to a
choice. And they then make this state
ment:
Now the facts are (and we have the PROOF that all
the votes thrown and taaen from the balIot-box
not counted, but notwithstanding this astound
ing fact, Mr.. Kelsey was declared nominated for
Alderman. We are aware that this Is a grave and
serious charge but nevertheless true. We do refer
all Republican voters of Ward Three who may
doubt this statement to the committee appointed to
receive, assort and count votes on that occasion.
The plain import of this is that the result
would have been different had the votes.
alleged not to have been counted, been
counted; that In that case Mr.. Kelsey would
not have been nominated, and Mr.. Prince
would have been; and Mr.. Prince, it seems,
has upon this pretext determined to ruu as
bolter. There never was less excusable
bolt. as we shall show.
The committee to receive. sort and count
the ballots at the caucus was constituted Of
the following gentlemen: Mr., Il. r. Sargent.
Me-. A. j. Rich and Mr.. F. E Lowell. Mr..
Sargent was friend If Mr.. Kelsey, Mr..
Rich fiiend of Mr.. Prince, and Mr.. Lowell
had not taken sides, and NJ. Piince's
friends speak in high terms of his fairness.
To these gentlemen Republicans are referred
for confirmation of charge that if it means
anything means that the ballots were unfair
ly counted, and BIZ. Prince was thereby de.
frauded of the nomination.
Mr.. Sargent has been out OF the city, SO that
we could obtain information only from the
other gentlemen who will not be thought to
be unfriendly to Mr.. Prince. From them
we learn that while the votes were being
taken from the box and laid in piles to be
counted, Mr.. Sargent took out three or four
votes which were unquestionably cast to.
gether in bunch by one person, being fold
ed or punched together at one end. Mr..
Rich says there were three of them. Mr..
Lowell says. he did not count them, but
thinks there not more than three. 1t was
asked what should be done with them, and
Mr.. Rich said the person who cast them
probably did 1t by mistake, but he was en-
titled to one vote, and the rest agreed that
one vote of the lot should be counted for
Mr.. Prince, which was done. The result of
the ballot was announced as follows: