The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-05

MS request, the election BOARD naQ IntruSte0
them to one of the judges, He desired to have
the duplicate sheet in the bag of ballots brought
In to compare the footings. Bernhamer decided
this to be in order, and the sheet from the bag In
the possession of the county clerk was produced.
The count proceeded with the footing from the
second taliies When Bernhamer completed the
calling, the first sheet was put in the bag and
the second taken, from the bag filed with the re-
turns handed III by the inspectors The Same
proceeding was carried out with the First pre-
cinct, Tenth ward, returns. On the First pre-
cinct, Thirteenth ward returns, no certificate
appeared Bernhamef, without a protest from
an inspector. laid these aside.
REVERSING AN UNFAIR RULING
But it was in the returns of the Second pra
cinct of the Thirteenth ward that the chairman
exhibited his greatness. He had ruled that the
talles should govern the count but because there
was no certificate from the Frat precinct of the
ward he passed the returns by, although the tai.
lies were there with footings correct. A ques-
ton arising in the returns of the Second prs'
cinct of this ward, he deliberately, and in de-
fiance of Mr.. Morrison's protest reversed the
decision he made in regard to the Second Of the
Sixth and First Of the Tenth ward
returns. The certificate gave Irwin 2O6,
while the tallies, after recent cancellation.
OF sixteen. presented footing of 100 Bern
hamer assumed this as correct. and did not stop
reading. although Captain McHugh wanted an
explanation from him Hugo for the Legisla.
ture, had certificate of 100 and tally of l6G
votes The added sixteen TALES and the 16G
were in blush ink, while the rest of the tallec
and figures were in black ink. David Cable tina
inspector, said the returns had been out of hiA
possession until noon yesterday. Mr.. Morrison
wanted to have the duplicate tally sheets in the
bailot-bag brought in, but Beruhamer said: 1--WE
will go on with the count Give Hugo the 166
We are only acting in ministerial capacity, and
pay attention to nothing except what is returned
to us by the inspectors
But you have ordered in the duplicate sheets
from other wards, \" protested Morrison.
"That makes no difference" replied Bern
hamer. as he attempted to read on. bnt another
protest from Morrison brought from him, II will
do nothing unless the board orders it."
"That tally-sheet," said Mr., Morrison hotly,
has been marked up to-day. The ink is moi
dry. All We want is fair count, and protest
against your elect.ng defeated candidates in thia
way We can't afford to do thing of that kind"
But Bernhamer gave him no ear. He said time
and again, in an attempt to cry Morrison down,
I'VE will read the Third precinct returns OF the
Thirteenth" He offered no decision and no re.
ply even to Mr.. Morrison's protest 1t was an
open theft of sixteen tallies to defeat Irwin and
elect Hugo.
After the Thirteenth ward incident the call Of
returns offered no material changes except in q
further loss to Irwin of three votes, two in the
Second precinct of the Fifteenth, and one ia the
First of the Sixteenth, until the First of the
Seventeenth was canvassed. Two talies and
two votes were Cancelled on the Irwin count and
added to Hugo No effort was made to inves-
tigate this, or prove the correctness of the
change since Bernhamer would entertain no mo-
ton to send for the tally sheet in ths hallotbox.
In the Second precinct of the Eighteenth
ward more erasures and changes appeared, caus-
ing loss of eleven to Irwin, and like gain for
Ayres and Hugo. These returns also showed
talles of three counted as tales of five
for other Democratic candidates. Irwin had
throughout the count thus far made but one
gain, that of nine In the Third precinct of the
Eighth, but it was reduced to a net of four by q
gain of FIVE for Ayres. The significant errors
occurred on him, while the vote the other
candidates, except Hugo, ran with almost abs0-
lutte correctness with the published returns In
the Third precinct of the Nineteenth he suffered
a loss of sixty-ive. Hugo got no benefit from
this, as it was claimed as error In the count
Grifiths had. up to the Second precinct of the
Twenty first ward, recovered about half his loss
by gains of two three and four.
This occurred in the early evening. and men
being relieved from their days business, began
to crowd the Circuit Courtroom. The Demo-
Gratis had the majority, but when Republicans
came to the doors. it was to find them locked.
Major Gordon and Alfred Potts were stopped by
a negro guard. who informed them that they
could not go in, as Mr. Taggart told hirn to
watch the door," But the two, by forcing the
guard away, entered.
A DEMOCRATIC INSPECTORS PROTEST..
With the losses noted, no more appeared until
the First precinct of the Twenty third ward res
turns were taken in hand. Bernhamsr got
through the State ticket when Lorenz Schmidt,
Democratic inspector of this precinct, following
the tally sheet in the case of Captain Many, sud-
denly entered his protest to further reading. II
am not satisfied with this return" he said s'and
to prove its correctness, want the duplicate
Louo D..
the vote on Judges without needing the remarks
of Mr.. Schmidt, who persisted in being hoard
II protest against further call from this Sheet"
he continued. Il see here important erasures.
1t may be all right, / can't say, but will not be
satisfied until the returns are proved by the
other sheet"
'We can't enter into that now, Mr. Schmidt
said Bernhamer. 1.-THE board has decided that
it can canvass only the returns made to it. 1t
cant take evidence. Its duties are simply
Ministerial and he attempted to read on
~ protest" persisted Mr. Schmidt
SEQ on, Mr. Clerk. Put down -" cried Bern
hamer. ~
II move" exclaimed Mr. Morrison as he arose
under suppressed excitement, ito send for the
returns that are in the bag"
Your motion is ont of order, Mr.. Morrison
shouted Bernhamer. ''The board has decided
that question, and we can't go back of it to take
evidence Turn to Mr.. Howland's vote, Mr..
Clerk, and | will go on"
LAS an inspector, protest against tnls arDi-
trary ruling" said Mr.. Morrison. II will ba
called upon to sign the official footings, I
can't do it unless the correctness of this vote is
proved by the duplicate sheets"
II can't help that, Mr.. Morrison" replied
Bernhaner. II have made my ruling, and 1T
will stand until the board otherwise orders
'Mr Chairman. these returns have been out
of my possession" said Dir. Schmidt II am
not satisfied with those erasures 1t is the tally
made by the Republican clerk, and / must be
satisfied before l give my consent to them being
read" This caused applause from the Repub-
licans, and the air became threatening with signs
Of an outbreak. With the stupidity of ohstina-
cy and the egotism of blatant ig-
norance Bernhamer held to bis decis-
ion, which brought applause from Demo-
Gratis and Kisses from Republicans. This
made him red hot with wrath, and iercely
pounding the desk with his eavel he cried Il
will have everybody who Kisses or cheers re-
moved from the room If this thing continues"
Trying again to 60 on with the reading, he was