Morning journal and courier., 1891-05-06
THOSE BALLOT BOXES.

pect of Recount Here-HartfOrd's | work-A Muddle in Meriden-Demo- l crats Accused of Bad Faith-Inspec. l ton of the Specked Ballots in l Brtdseport-In Other Towns. Yesterday in various Connecticut towns the ballot boxes containing the votes cast in those towns at the last state election were opened; in many other towns the boxes were not opened. In few places the boxes were opened and in Meriden recount was made. Both parties fought shy of recount in most places of import ance, fearing, as some held, revelations which might further complicate the con test which is pending before the courts to decide if possible who was legally elected governor at the last state election; while it was generally considered that nothing was to be gained on either side by recount, JAS such a count would be unofficial anyway. there were 126 ballots cast for Merwin there which was disputed by the demo crats as illegal and which were thrown out. There the republicans appointed a commit tee headed by State Committeeman H. R. Parrott, and the democrats appointed one headed by Democratic State Committee tees this morning made formal request upon Bridgeport's town clerk, Mr. Watson, that he should permit them to examine the disputed ballots to ascertain whether these much talked of ballots were marked or only specked. MT Watson declined to yield and withheld the Fifth ward box which contained the bal lots in question from the committee. He also refused to name day or time when the committee could see the ballots. His ground for declining was that he consid- cred the committee as self constituted and that they did not represent the people, or any legal or official authority. Nothing the committee could say or do had any eff feet in changing MT. Watson's attitude in the case. He, however, yielded so far as to agree that the box in question should not be opened until due notice had been given the public as to time and place so that the committee could attend. It was the prevailing belief that Town Clerk Wat son was acting under advice from high democratic circles in the case.
 At Hartford by agreement of represent atives of both of the leading parties it was agreed to open the boxes and destroy the ballots without examination. However, at the wish of several of the candidates who desire to see the ballots before they are destroyed the votes will not be con- signed to the flames at present, nor until the chairman of the town committees de- eide as to granting the desired permission.
 THE BALLOT BOXES IN OTHER PLACES
 NEW BRITAIN, May 5.-Among the bal lots recounted to-day there were nine pro hibition votes found not counted. The re- publicsns claimed there were eighteen.
 WATERBURY, May 5.-The ballot boxes were opened this morning. There was no change from the original count made by the moderators before sealing the boxes tion votes were thrown out in the Second ward because of the word ''For."
 STAMFORD, May 5.-No ballot boxes will be opened in this city to-day. This is due as much to a lack of interest among the politicians of both parties as anything else. Town Clerk Holly said this morning that no one had spoken to him about open ing the boxes, and he was of the opinion that no such action would be taken in this place.
 M1DDLETowN, May 5.-The recount of ballots to-day did not change the result announced last fall.
 DANDCnt, HAoy AO pOllGlC11uS hAo others were not in a curious mood to-day, and consequently the ballot boxes remained closed. Town Clerk Booth said no one had requested that they be opened and he knew ot no good reason why they should.
 At Middletown yesterday the ballots re- jected last November were found to have been thrown out for good cause.
 At Waterbury the rejected ballots were found not to have been regular.
 At Portland recount yesterday showed that an error of three had been made. Three straight democratic ballots which should have been counted were found. THE NEW HAVEN BALLOT BoxEs-NoTH1Ne
 DONE.
 The republican state central committee lately had meeting when the question was presented as to what the committee advised with reference to any action as re- gards accounting the votes of electors at the late state election. It was decided if the democratic party wished to recount the ballots the republican chairmen of the different towns would be present with counters for the purpose of assisting in any recount desired.
 It was said that at New Haven there was prospect of such recount. Mir. James Bishop, the republican chairman, con- suited with MT. William Shannon, the democratic chairman. MT. Shannon said he had no knowledge of such recount being contemplated. MT. Daley of the state central committee, with MT. Bishop, called upon Town Clerk Brethauer Mon day morning and said the republicans of New Haven did not demand a recounting of the votes. If, however, the democrats desire or wish a recount, the republican ,orfv vr,ioh hol fr lo counting might be had MT. Brethauer informed MT. Bishop and Mr. Daley that he had told MT. John Carney, the demo- cratic member of this district, that he would turn over the ballots to him yester- day.
 After consultation with MT. Herbert E., Benton, the chairman of the republican state central committee, it was believed advisable to have counters ready to assist in this work. MT. Bishop at once made arrangements for this count. Mr. Breth- auer said he would notify when he de- livered the ballots to MT. Carney.
 NO RECOUNT IN NEW HAVEN LIKELY
 No notice has yet been given to either MT. Bishop or Daley and it is now pre- sumed no recount will take place. There is a question whether the statute author izes any town clerk to deliver the ballots to any person even after they are held six months for any purpose other than to de- stroy. The New Haven boxes remain at the city hall unopened and in Town Clerk brethauer's possession.
 THE PROHIBITION VOTE.
 HARTFORD, May 4.-In none of the towns have the prohibitionists been requested to be present at the recount. A democratic authority here says: The republicans have maintained since the beginning of the con- troversy that the ''for'' votes which were boiled by the temperance advocates must be counted or rejected together, ,ingeniously disguising the fact that the question of le- gality relates only to the "for'' ballots which were rejected. In towns where ob- lection was raised against the validity of the prohibition votes when the original count was made they were rejected. The issue as affecting the state ticket is con- nected exclusively with the votes that were thrown out by the moderators on account of the word "for." The prohibition votes that were counted and are now in the elec- tion boxes cannot be incorporated in the case.
 QUO wARRANTo AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY.
 The quo warranto proceedings will be resumed in this city Friday. In case the counsel for Bulkeley decide to file an an- swer instead of carrying the case to the supreme court on demurrer, the litigation