Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-11-11

the presidency. There is not, SO far as
can be ascertained, any wide and sweep
ing fraud apparent. There are reports

ing fraud apparent. There are reports
OF 1000 or 1900 votes counted in this
city, and serious stuffing ip the counties
about here; but all this seems rather in.
definite. The fact is that the poll
leaves the count 30 close, and the ap.
pearances of doubtful returns are so
clear, that the managers of the republi-
can canvass addressed Themselves to-day
to the last and most difficult work in o
political contest-an honest count. By
nothing less ought an American presi-
dent to be elected, and no man can object
to the closet scrutiny of every return on
which the presidency is to be de-
cided. This scrutiny begins to- day. The
legal machinery has been set in full
operation. Counsel has been retained
in every county seat, and instructions
have been addressed to them by mail
and telegraph. Blank forms leave to-
night tor their use IN the struggle which
will begin to. morrow and be fought ont
over every return. The law of New
York, through precedents of thirty years,
makes the election inspectors judges of
the fact and the result of the election.
They pass on the count and decide it
and their report consists not of the
ballote, as in Pennsylvania, but of a
report in which the number of ballots is
specified, with one of each sort filed by
way of exhibit. When this ls done, the
ballots are burned. II the law has been
followed, the ballots of last Tuesday
have already been burned, and nothing
remains but for each board of supervi-
sors to meet ct each county seat, each
collate in ministerial capacity these re-
turns. In this duty the courts can inter-
fere by mandamus to forbid or to require
the count of certain ballots. How far
the character of ballots, the evidence of
imiscount or the proof of fraud can be
opened in these proceedings is disputed
There is no question that clerical error,
false footings or the like, can be cor
rected. Beyond this the exact facts
must be known before it can be said
whether the courts can interfere at this
point to correct errors, or whether the
certificate of election must go its course
and the whole matter wait until it can
be re-opened by quo warranto. Demo.
cratic experience in attempting to re-
verse the vote OF Florida by such pro
eeedings will probably be remembered
by all. In that case legal delays inter.
posed until it was too late. The electors
had cast their votes for Mr.. Hayes. 1t is
hard to see how it could be done more
rapidly in this state. The title
OF the electors who vote on
the first Tuesday in December
could not be decided before the Febru-
ary term and the writ must be return
able before democratic court in
Albany. In view of all this. the real
struggle comes between now and next
Tuesday. In that interval the blanket
jurisdiction of the supreme court in this
state-a constant puzzle tolaymen-will
have been invoked wherever through
this state false, q faulty, q fraudulent
or an irregular return: adds to the total
upon which CIeveland's plurality stands
For this purpose blank mandamus and
others papers were prepared tonight
republicans are not alone in this work
they have, at every stage oi
the canvass, the poverty of a commit.
tee, which has more millionaires and
twice the wealth of the republican na
tional committee. It is scarcely neces
sary to say that in canvass where
neither party look forward to q close
vote the irregularities are not confined
to either. You printed on the evening
of the election lamentable blunder in
Il printing republican ballots. 1t was not
the only one. It ls not necessary here
and now to specify errors certain to be
public property before the contest il
over; but they make d1esry catalogue
and exist in more counties than one. II
: a word, the election has passed withou
5 closing the contest and unless the face Q
the returns as presented next Tuesday
accepted, the country enters on contes
in the coults over the vote OF New Yor
! state. Democrats in the confidence O
: their party claim that on Monds.
when there has been time to examin
each return, the plurality will be to
large to be DESTROYED. This may be 81
; 1t is confidently denied at the nation,
;: and state republican headquarters. A
both the work of attacking the plursiit
is in progress with varying vigor, an
to-day it is pushed with bett,
hopes than last night, whe
the canvass seemed hopeless. Repor
= have come in of various character whle
raises hopes that the contest on whit
B. the committee has entered will be So
"a cessful For obvious reasons, the
Is cannot be made public. Meanwhile Il
20 national committee appeals to its par
Il and to the country for support in
=. attempt to insnre an houest count
!, legal votes actually cast"
l. l