The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-20
TWENTIETH WARD CONTEST.
John II. Ruddy's Right 10 Fill the Office
OF Alderman Is Disputed.

Something unusual in the way for
bringing contest was brought out yes
terday by Attorneys NJ. j. Donahoe and
&. e. Donovan who Instituted Il contest
against the election of John j. Ruddy
tn the office of alderman of the Twenti-
eth ward. They represent Professor
John II. OMalley. the present alderman.
who was defeated for reelection by the
victorious candidate by only fourteen
votes.
1t is charged that Mr. Ruddy received
125 Illegal votes and of this number
many east their ballots for him who
received money. reward, or some othcr
valuable consideration.
1t Is charged tha. persons voted for
Mr I;,pldy who were not qualified elect
ors by reason of the fact that some
had not paid any taxes within the time
prescribed by law: others voted who
were not registered and their votes Were
received and counted Notwithstanding
that they did not file Il sufficient afli-
davit; and many voted who had not
resided i'm the state and in the election
district long enough to entitle them to
the rights and there We're some who
voted and had not been duly natural
lied: and lastly votes were received
from certain persons who did not re-
side in the polling district.
LAW WAS DISREGARDED.
1t Is further charged that certain of
the election officers disregarded the law
and used their own sweet will in re-
cciving and rejecting legal votes. The
petition alleges that l25 votes were cast
for Mr.. Ruddy that a contest will prove
were illegal. and the number of such
votes in each district is accounted as
follows: First district. 60 votes; Sec
ond district, %. votes; Third district, 20
!, let vi int
Judge Archibald granted a rule to
show cause why Mr.. Ruddy should not
file an answer and made it returnable
on Monday, March 80, at 3 a. IN. Yes
terday was the last for filing petitions
to contest any Office voted for at the re-
cent election. The law requires that
contests must be instituted not later
than 80 days after the day of election.
SrGNERS OF THE PETITION.
The petition was filed i'm the office of
Clerk of the Courts John II. Thomas
and it was signed by the following citi-
Zens of the ward: Michael f. Kelly, Mi
chael A. Donahoe. Martin II. 1-avelle
Patrick McDonough. Thomas Blanche
Patrick Hannick, Patrick Corcoran
Richard Lavelle, Martin ]. Lovern.
Martin F.. Donahoe, William G.. O'Mal-
ley, John Wallace. Michael Thornton
Richard j. Gallery. Peter Lowry. John
Early, John Cawley. William j. Moyles
Henry Siglin. Michael Devaney. T. j.
Coyne. owen Melvin, George j. Bailey.
Thomas Richardson, Bernard O'Malley,
James NJ. Lavelle. Michael Lavelle,
Patrick Wallace. and J. II. Daley.
The petition sets forth that Mr.. Ruddy
received a total of 500 votes. Professor
O'Malley. total of 319. and Michael
McGarry. total of 172. That Mr.. Rud-
dy has been returned as having received
the highest vote, cast for any one per-
son at that election for the office of
alderman. but that this return is a false
one and the election is undue and IL
legal for the reason that Mr. Ruddy did
not receive more than POS votes and
Professor OMalley received at least
91q