The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-16
RETURNS WERE FALSIFIED
In the Tenth Precinct of the
Thirty-Fifth.
AN ATTORNEYS BIG DISCLOSURE
Evidences of an Attempt to Elect a
Republican AssembIyman in
Spite of Figures.

The official canvass of election returns
is proceeding under difficulties. The odor
of coal oil and sealing wax became so
strong in the regular quarters of the Board
of Election Commissioners that move
was made yesterday to the assembly
chamber of the Board of Education. And
here the other extreme was encountered.
The ventilation was so thorough that the
clerks and onlookers were obliged to don
overcoats to keep from freezing.
But in spite of atmospheric con ditions
the board succeeded in disposing of a
great deal of work. Now that the system
of calling and recording has become a
matter of machine-like routine, five min
utes only are required TO canvass a pre-
cinct. During the forenoon the Thirty
fourth District was almost completed. and
during the afternoon everything pro-
crossed smoothly enough until the Tenth
Precinct of the Thirty-ffth was reached.
Attorneys Haggerty and Ashe, repre-
senting the Republican and Democratic
parties respectively, had entered the usual
number Of objections to the counting of
various precincts because of tine lack of
proper Endorsements, erroneous totals and
miscellaneous blunders on the part of pre-
cinct officers, but the Tenth of the Thirty
q
affairs.
When the big official envelope was
opaued and the tally-sheet and poll-list
spread before Commissioner Creswell, an
objection was entered to the canvass of
ths Legislative ticket by ATTORNEY T. Y.
Gator. representing Calvin Ewing. Peoples
party nominee Ior AssemblymaD. He
claimed that the original returns had been
tempered with and votes stolen from Dom
Ian, the Democratic candidate, and credited
20 Higgins, his Republic opponent, who
is supposed to have been elected. An
examination of the sheet showed that the
total of 81 opposite Higgins name had
been erased and 135 substituted. and also
that the total of 101 opposite the mama of
Donlan had been lowered to 60, the differ
ence having been added on in Higgins
favor. The changes were as plain as
beacon-light in clear weather. and Attor-
ney Gator followed up his exposure by
stating that lnasmuch as Ewing had been
defeated by only fOrty-fOqr votes, the
fraud, if proved, would in reality give him
s-majority of twenty-four votes.
He further stated to the board that he
would be able to prove by competent wit
nesses that on the Thursday morning fol-
lowing the election two of the precinct Of
ficers from the Tenth were seen in a
restaurant with the Offieial returns in their
possession. When Questioned they stated
that they had turned in the envelopes at
Iuo hOSlolI UulGCs Oul Wc1S UUlk6U W
take them back and make some changes
before they could be filed. Inasmuch as
the semi-official returns published in the
papers on the morning of the same day
declared Ewing elected, the changes Mr.
Gator claimed were evident on the face of
the tally list.
This matter was of such Importance that
Commissioners Creswell and Broderick de-
clded to pass the precinct and await full
board before acting. This will be done
this morning, when Attorney Gator will
have his proof at hand.
The tally list of the Eleventh Precinct
:Of the Iblrty-hfth revealed rather q re-
markable state of affairs on its face.
There we're 279 votes tailed, but an exam
ination of the Doll list showed that only
275 votes had been cast Here was ample
cause for objection, and Shortridge lost 10
time in making it. He called attention to
the TACT that there must be something rad
ically wrong either in the poll list or tally
sheet, and in consequence the canvass
should not be< made. The board, how
ever, decided to include the precinct for
what it was worth.
In the tally list of the Eleventh of the
Thirty fifth the returns were not properly
certified TO by the Elsctiou Board, and on
the last page ten or twelve names were
crossed out The poll list showed that all
these ames had been voted. and despite
the objection entered the precinct was
canvassed. The board was OF the opinion
that the large cross covering the names
was intended to indicate that they had
been voted. The Election Board probably
considered this necessary because the
names we're placed on the last page and
separated from the balance.
During the evening count it was found
that Budd had gained II votes and Estee
A. After canvassing the Sixteenth of the
Thirty-sixth the board adjourned till this
morning. when IL would be called upon to
pass judgment on the alleged doctored re-
turns OF the Tenth Precinct of the Thirty
fifth. 1t is quite probable that some
startling disclosures will be made before
the investigation is concluded, and several
signed to the returns, will have to do soma
clever explaining to make clear the
erasures and shifting of votes from the
Democratic to the Republican nominee.
Some OF the attorneys hint at Jail, but
most of them agree that the precinct will
doubtless ha thrown out