The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-07
DISSATISFIED DEMOCRATS
Robert Fitzgerald Outlines His
Reasons for Making a
Contest.
Chairman Laymance Says That There
Is Not Ground for Complaint
in Alameda.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,
Q0Q PrOaduov lima

908 Broadway, June 6.
There will be an aftermath to Yesterdays
Democratic primaries at the State con-
vention.
R. NJ. Fitzgerald is not satisfied that all
was fair, and when asked what he thought
of the result to-day he said:
I will probably contest the election in
Alameda, as do not consider it strictly fair.
There was only one polling place, although in
the committees call that had been issued
there were supposed to be two polling places
in order to give all a chance to vote. There
were only 275 votes polled yesterday in Ala
media, while in the election of Governor Budd
500 votes were polled. The reason OF the
small vote is clear to me. The polling place
was two miles away from large mum Der OF
the voters. They would neither walk four
miles for regis tration or voting and the result
is large number did not cast ballot.
The fact that there would be two polling
places had been published in the call of the
committee and fully agreed upon; then the
committee met quietly one evening and
changed its plan so there would be only one
pollmg-place. The result was that many did
not vote at all, other votes were challenged on
the ground that their names were not properly
enrolled and the votes cast out. I shall prob
ably bring the matter before the State ConYen-
ton. l may also contest the election in West
Berkeley If the reports l have heard are con-
frmed. According to reports, men went to
the polls and voted again and again.
However, do not know that these reports
/
+ Third Ward, really cannot understand what
was the matter with the election there. A
number OF my friends, residents of the ward
when they went to the polls found their names
had already been voted upon. AS for w. w.
Foote'S vote being refused, that was little
mistake and has been explained by the cleo
ton clerk. Each man was checked off, and in
this case the check mark OF the name below
Mr. Foote'S ran up on to the space where his
name was, and at first glance the clerk, who
did not know the gentleman, thought the
name had been voted.
NJ. J. Laymance, the winner in yester-
days contest, said:
All l know of the matter is that We have
done just what we said we would do and have
held fair and square primaries as far as our
side is concerned. Let them talk all they want
to, but we can stand with clear console ce in
the knowledge that our efforts have been for
the interest of the party and for good, honest
primaries.
With regard to q possible Alameda contest
have nothing to say, and am perfectly salts
fed to let matters stand as they are. am not
at all inclined TO crow, but fully appreciate
the fact that we achieved glorious victory
As regards the complaint Mr.. Fitzgerald
makes regarding Alameda he knows very well
that the committee over there ordered the
primaries conducted at one polling-place. An
attempt was made by the opposition TO split
up the places for casting the votes; this was
illegal as the committee passed on the ques-
ton.
F. J. Motif in speaking to-day of the
Third Ward matter said:
There will be contest for the seat claimed
by Mcdonald. Gross fraud was perpetrated
AS an illustration, they voted Mr. Foote'S
Company.