Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-12
THE CANVASS IN KENT.


How the Republican Districts We're Thrown
Out. On the Grounds OF Fraud and lrreg-
uiarities, by the Board of Canvass.
Milford Chronical.
The first district called was Duck
Creek and it was reported that in the
district which was called thore had
been no election. The West district of
Duck Creek hundred, Kenton and
Little Creek, were then called, and
no objection being offered the returns
were recorded. When East Doyer's g
first district was called Thomas z. Davis
made a protest against the returns
being canvassed on the ground that
tho election officers violated the law.
AT this time the excitement ran high.
Gen. r.. r. Kenney, on behalf of tho
Democratic party, made protest on
tho same return. and James Pennewill
who appeared for the Republicans, made
an argument showing that the Board
OF Canvass was mere ministerial body
and had no right to consider the pro-
test. John ID. Hawkins, James Ii.
Hughes, j. B. Pennington, and James
l.. Wolcott also spoke for the Demo
Gratis, and Edward Ridgeley, Beniah
Watson and George M. Jones' replied for
the Republicans. The crowd in the
room at this time was wildly excited
and it looked as If there would be
trouble. Two hours were spent in
heated discussions over the matter.
The Board of Canvass, which was COM
posed of ten Democrats and six Re-
publicans decided not to accept the re-
turns.
Sheriff Shaw, who is Republican,
and under the law is the presiding off,
cor, ordered the returns to be read and
they were read. The Republican clerk
kept count OF them, but the Demo
cratic clerk did not.
The Democrats then FLED protest
against the returns in the Second dis
trict Of East Dover hundred on the
same ground, but the returns were
read as before. The Democratic clerk
acting under Instructions, did not
record them. No protest was offered
against the Third district of East
Dover hundred, and the returns were
read.
The returns from West Dover hun
dred were not read for the reason that
they were sealed in the ballot box and
the box could not be opened without
the consent of the board and that con-
sent was not given.
A protest was filed against the re-
turns OF North Murderkill hundred by
the Democrats. The returns were reao,
but according to the plan of the Demo-
Gratis no record was made of them.
Both districts of Mispillion hundred
we're read without protest. The Eastern
and Western districts. Of Milford hun
dred were both protested No records
were made by the Democrats on ac-
countof tho protests. The election of
levy courtmeD in the same district was
also protested on the ground that the
certificates did not set forth the resi-
dence of the candidates returned as
elected. The same was done on the
Levy Court returns of East South
Murderisill and both districts of Mil
ford hundred. st..-
Finally, the, sheriff, refusing to
entertain the motions made by the
DEMOCRATS in reference to throwing
out returns was deposed by the Demo-
cratic majority of the board and the
coroner placed In as presiding officer.
The Democrats then proceeded to can
vass the vote as they had recorded it
and made out eertifi sates In that way.
These certificates the sheriff and the
Republican members of the board re-
fused to sign. The Democratic certifi-
catos were signed by the 10 Demo-
cratic members of the board and will
be delivered to the Democratic candi-
dates, who, by the Democratic mem
bers Of the board, are declared elected
by an average majority Of 249.