The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-05-13
FRIDAY, May 8.

The argument on the contest case from
uwannte county was resumed yesterday
when the hour was reached, and the
continuation" promised our readers is
ready for their delectation. Mr.. Clark
of Polk had made an eloquent and ear
nest opening; he had asked that any
sBember be allowed to interrupt him for
any legitimate purpose, and that any
misquotation of law or mistake made BY
him be Immediately corrected by the dis
tinguished gentlemen who opposed his
views on this question. He had proposed
TO take up what was called the minority
report. section Dy section, and would
demonstrate to the satisfaction of every
reasonable man that all the positions
taken i'll that document were untenable
when viewed by the lights of law and JUS
tee. He took up the first position and
maintained that the law left the prepa-
ration of the polling place to the discretion
of the inspectors. He challenged his op-
ponents to show the word ''booth'' or
anything equivalent in the laws of 1899:
he held that the railing" of rope com
Piled with all the necessary requirements
and took his position on that ground, and
challenged contradiction. With Mr..
Bates of Gadsden in the chair, Mr.. Clark
proceeded with his argument:
The second article o. the minority re-
port objecis because the election was not
held in Uni n school house. He asserted
that the b. ard OF county commissioners
ofSuwannee county had not designated
any house within which the election should
be held. Il was pre- cribed that the cleo
lion should be held al the place, not within
'he house, and he challenged the gentle
man from Lake and from Marion to sup.
port successfully contradiction.
Mr.. Hooker of Lake-Mr. Chairman will
the gentleman allow me to ask il he un-
derStood me to say anything with refer
eDce to wha. he Is talking about?
Mr.. Clark-He spoke only, Mr.. Chair
man, of some little technicaities.
Mr.. Hocker-1fI made no argument on
the law and the constitution, then why
does he ask me 10 answer him.
Mr.. Clark am only anxious to quote
him corr, oily.
Hr. Hocker-Then quote me as saying
that no election within the law was held
1t precinct No, 2. ..s
Mr.. Clark in continuation said the in
stxnctions were alike for the federal and
De8eo 0ICCLIOII, DOIu COulu uOC nave D0en
held within the school-house, and if one
might be held outside the school-house
the other might. -
Mr.. Robertson Of Washington-Does
the gentleman hold that both elections
could not be held in that 1920 house Z?
Mr.. Clark will come to that di-
rectly.
Mr.. Burford-Does the gentlema an
think mark on the ground surrounding
q space would be sufficient?
Mr.. Clark-No, sir.
Mr.. Burford-Or ray of moonshine ?
Mr.. Clark-No, sir.
Mr.. Burford-But rope would?
Mr. Clark-Yes sir, a rope would be a
railing and hold the inspectors had full
discretion to make preparations for the
balloting and the board of county com.
missioneTs bad nothing to do with it.
The only question to be considered by this
body IL whether these Irregularities were
ola nature to affect the result.
Ar. Burford-Dpes, not the law 90
farther and say also that provided the
irregularities do not leave IL doubtful
how the vote was cast.
IL. Olark-Yes, Sir, that ID right. ,iT8
bufford--Does, not the law GO stiil
melber and cay provided the irregularities
~ Act nature 20 affect the result the,