St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-05
sadresstothe People.

address 80 the Peopto.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. ST. PAUL
Mimi. Nov. Ito our friends: Abundant
reason exists for anticipating fraud on the
mart of the managers of the Republican
party in connection with the canvass ana re-
turn of the votes cast at the state election
held on last Tuesday The sum OF our IN
formation iustiies us in positively asserting
that Hon. Albert A. Ames has been elected
governor by a majority exceeding 6'Ooo
votes; but. in the midst of our tellcitatlon
over this grand success, it is the part OF
prudence not to ignore the desperation OF
our political enemies, nor the possibility OF
fraudulent action which that desperation
NAV induce. Many an election mas
been '.stolen" by the Republican party
managers in this and other states. Caution
must be exercised TO prevent the nulllilea-
ton by unscrupulous devices Of the wishes
which have found expression in the recent
popular vote.
We therefore urge you to make careful
tables of the information received by you
from unofficial sources (yet sources deemed
reliable) of the state of tie vote in the
various election districts of your county.
fany returns are held back. note the cir
cumstances and report it to this office. If
later information reports a larger Republi-
can vote in any district or precinct than
that originally announced, report to us that
fact. with the explanation given for the
change.
Note and report to US any Irregularities
or informalities in the canvass or return of
The vote for state officers which you may
ascertain.
The first canvass is, of course, made by
the gentlemen who act as judges of election
at the polls. This canvass must under
our statute Gen. Stat. Minn., 1878,
chap. i, Sec 1Gl, be commenced immedl-
stely after the polls close; and must con-
tinue. without adjournment until the
count of ballots is completed. The reason
for this statutory provision is very plain,
viz: If the judges of election were allowed
to separate before the count was completed,
additional ballots might be put into the box.
forgeries might be made in the check lists
or in the incomplete returns In order to
guard against such malfeasance, all the
proceedings are required to be conducted
under the eye of each one of the judges.
After the Judges of election have finished
counting the votes they are required to
make out list Of the persons voted for.
placing after each the number of votes re-
ceved BY the candidate bearing that name.
This list is called an Election Return" "
The returns are carefully sealed and one of
the Judges, il person, carries them to the
county seat and delivers them to the county
auditor of the county in which the election
is held. if it be an organized county,"
but if not, to the county auditor of
the county to which that county
wherein any given polling place is To-
rated is attached for judicial purposes.
This must be done within five 81 days
after the day of the election.
When the returns arrive at the county
auditors Office, examine them carefully to
ascertain whether the seals thereof have
been tampered with. or whether the pack
age containing any returns has been in any
Wav opened after leaving the polling place.
If YOU find the seal broken or evidences
that the package has been opened, call the
attention of the county auditor thereto, and
report to this Office.
Anv delay. beyond the statutory period
of five % days in sending forward the
returns is reason for suspecting an attempt
At fraud. although not, in itself, sufficient
n inyalldate the return so delayed.
The county auditor and two justices Of
the peace selected by him canvass the re-
turns and compile new return of all the
votes of their county land attached coun
hesl which they send to the secretary OF
state.
The county auditor thus. it will be seen,
creates the county canvassng board. and,
in the performance of this responsible duty
should act with judicial impartiaIity.
You should in all cases where the county
auditor is a Republican, politely request
him to appoint at least one Democrat to act
with him on this local returning board"
Do not press the request, but do net omit to
make it.
Watch the proceedings closely, and If any