Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-11-10
A CLAIM OF FRAUD.
Charge that Ballot Box was Stuffed by
Fighter.
rs. F. Post, November 9th.l

s. F. Post, November 9th
The manner in which the Democrats OBJ
tanned their majorities in some of the pre-
cincts is slowly coming TO light, and only
makes the Republican candidates who were
defeated by small majority more anxious
TO enter legal contest One of the worst
outrages committed ON the Precinct Elec-
| ton Boards was perpetrated in the Eighth
| Precinct of the Thirty eighth District Ed
ward Smith. who acted as judge in that
precinct declares that the grossest fraud
| was resorted to in making the count. Re-
| publican votes were thrown on the floor,
and those cast Tor DAILY, the Republican
candidate for Assessor, were counted for
Nealon. They were not satisfied with this
kind of robbery, and another plan was
tried The Democratic County Committee
for good and sufficient reasons, sent Billy
Riley, prize fighter with unsavory reputa-
ton, to look out for their interests in this
precinct, and, according to the account
of the election judge, he did his work
well. Mr.. Smith says that the Demo-
cratic inspector whose duty it was to
take the votes from the ballot box,
found it necessary to go out. In his
absence, slogger Riley, although having no
connection with the hoard, took possession
of the ballot-box, and began taking out the
ballots. He unfolded a number of them,
and finding they were Republican ballots,
threw them under the table, on the floor,
and substituted straight Democratic ballots
which he had concealed in his sleeve Mr.
Smith, who was calling Off the names from
the ballots, saw what was being done, and
refused to count the ballots handed him by
Riley. This brought matters to a crisis
and the slogger, with an oath, told the
young man he could either count or have
inf al pItt ont. only ha 4
not express himself in that language.
Smith said if that was the case he would
count, and he did So but after calling off
two straight Democratic ballots, regained
his courage, and refused to proceed further.
The ballots were neither indOrsed nor num-
bered, and Riley is accredited with having
placed several Democratic ballots in the
box. The stuffer did not carry ont his
threat, and the Board took no action either
to expel him or remedy the mischief he had
done. 1t now remains 10 be seen what ac-
ton will be taken by the Republican
County and State Central Committees. 1t
is said that when the returns have been of
ficially counted the matter will be thor
oughly investigated.
The friends of Fl. II. Pearson. Republi-
can candidate for Sheriff, and Siebe lnde-
pendent candidate for Assessor, who have
| watched the count in the various precincts,
| assert that in the Sixth precinct of the
Thirty-ninih district the votes for Daily
were counted for Nealon. and those cast for
| Pearson and Whelan were counted for Nc
Mann. This is the precinct the returns
and ballots from which were stolen. The
| Democrats say that the Republicans stole
| them, and the latter declare that it was
Democratic trick to cover up fraud in the
count. as the ballots cast would not corre-
spopd with the returns made. 1t is fur
ther stated that in the First precinct of the
| Thirty eighth district Siebes votes were
counted for Ncalon, and that in the Sew
enth of the same district Siebe's votes were
made to do duty for McMann, in order 10
overcome Pearsons majority.