The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-11
California Republicans Contest
Election for Governor.
SAN FRANCISCO VOTE FIXED
The Legality of Twenty Thousand
Ballots Called in Question.
Jim says the Republicans Don't Dare
Ask q Recount. but Hope 10 Win ON
Teehaiealfsies-He Expects victory
In the supreme Court.

storm that has been gathering for many
days broke here today when Z. b. Corn
wall. chairman Of the Republican state
central committee, went before the state
supreme court and took the first step
IN what is 10 be contest of the elec-
tion of James II. Badd. Democratic can
dldste for governor. Ia san Francisco.
owing 20 the incompetancy of the pre-
clnet election officers, and in many in
stances 10 their corrupt methods, the re-
turns from many precincts have not been
properly Ger tined to the board Of
election commissioners, which is just
completing its canyass of the returns.
In several precincts the officers have not
signed their returns and refuse 20 do so.
Twelve officers of one precinct. in which
glaring frauds have been discovered. are
now under arrest for refusing to
certify 10 their returns. IL is claimed
that. if the vote of su the precincts in
which there have been such irregularities
shall be thrown out over 20.000 votes Will
be stricken from the returns.
IL was in san Francisco tha: Budd
poiled his big vote. and. as his total plu-
Talty IN the state is less than /. 800. il Is
plain that the throwing out of the returns
from these precincts will defeat
Budd ana seat Estee. The Repub-
lican state central committee has
decided 10 attempt this very thing. In
pursuance OF their decision. Chairman
Cornwall this afternoon filed a petition
with the supreme court for a writ of man
date upon the registrar of elections aud
board al election commissioners. citing
them TO appear and show cause why they
should not throw out and refuse 20 count
the vote of all precincts the returns from
which show irregularities.
The supreme court now has the petition
under consideration. On the state SUI
preme bench the Republicans have a ma
jority. but 1t is not TO be- presumed that
this fac. can have any bearing upon the
questions at issue. Ii the court shall decide
IN favor of the Republicans, the effect Of
the decision will be immediate and con-
elusive, and Estee will be seated. If a
decision adverse 10 the Republicans shall
be rendered. 1t is their declared intention
OF carrying the contest into the state
legislature, where they have an over
whelming majority.
The Democrats are furious. They de-
clare that all the election officers IN san
Francisco. on account Of whose frauds
and incompetency 1t is proposed to throw
out these returns, were appointed under
Republican administration, and did the
bidding Of the registrar Of elections. who
is brother.in-law OF u. II. Barns. secre-
tary aud the practical head OF tue KepRb-
llcan state organization.
Gov.-elect Budd was interviewed in
Stockton on what he thought Of The con-
test. lie said:
The petition before the supreme
court is the best evidence imac-
Unable that Mr.. Cornwaf1. Of the
Republican state central committee,
does not dare TO institute Proceedings Tor
a recount OF the vote IN san Francisco.
knowing that such recount would increase
my plurality. 1t shows that some Of the
committee wish TO seat Mr.. Estes on the
technicaiities only. This has been my
view from the beginning. This IS the last
gasp OF a bad Cause. The supreme court
though Republican, is too broad,
too honest and able TO be
when it has rendered its decision in our
favor. as il must, / will be permitted to
take my office unmolested. | have been
elected governor of this state, and will
not be defrauded Of the office. | shall
qualify as governor and take NV seat; the
responsibility for any deprivation OF the
right Of the people 10 select their own
executive viii rest upon other shoulders
than mine"
Mr.. Estee was asked for his views Of the
propriety Of the movement to con test the
election, but he said be had nothing TO
add to the sentiments expressed in his
letter 10 the Republican stale central COM
mittee, which has already been made
public He added:
"Mr. Budd talked about recount on the
ground Of frauds, and | expressed 3 de-
sire TO see the frauds exposed and the per-
petrators punished. There IS nothing
partisan in that, is there IL is, it seems
to me. n matter for the people to decide
this question of whether their viii has
been carried out or not.