The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-12

watson, lie Made the nominee.
Major Warren Says Some Things.
Attorney George M. Watson yester-
day filed with the county commission
ers objections to the name of John II.
Jones appearing on the official ballot
as the Republican nominee for district
attorney, and also petitioned court to
nuliify Mr.. Jones' nomination, alleg-
ing that it was secured through bribery
and intimidation.
The petitioner AYERS that 225 of the
2i41s votes which Mr.. Jones received
were fraudulent and ought not to have
been counted for him. as they We're
secured by corrupt methods. He also
alleges that upwards of ten Democrats
We're among the Jones delegates and
that upwards of ten other delegates
We're wrongfully sealed by the commit
tee on contests. He concludes by say
ing that he verify believes that he
received the greater number of quail
fed votes cast in the convention for
the nomination of district attorney.
Major Warren made a motion to
quash the petition characterizing it as
an unjust, eleventh hour attack on
candidates character and an Irregular
inadequate instrument which the
courts could not and should not pay
any attention to.
The Watson petition was presented
before the three judges at the opening
of court in the morning. Attorney
Roswell w. Patterson reading it, as
follows:
THE PETITION.
TO the Honorable, the Judges of Said
Court:
The petition of George Watson respect
fully represents:
First--I am citizen. resident and tax
payer of the borough of Dunmore, county
of Lackawanna, and Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, and a Republican candi-
date for the office of district attorney
for the county of Lackawanna.
Second-The election for said office is
TO be held Tuesday. Nov. 9 IoJ,, under
the constitution and general election laws
of said commonwealth.
Third-Under the rules of the Republi-
can party of Lackawanna county, the
Republican county committee for said
county issued call for primary. cleo
tions and a convention, the former to be
held on Saturday, Sept. A. 1897, between
p. m. and p. m, and the latter on
Tuesday, Sept Z, 1897, at 10 a. m.
copy of said rules is hereto attached,
and it is asked that the same may be
taken as a part of this petition.
Fourth-The convention was held Sept.
z, 1897. John X. Jones, of the borough
of Blakely, and George NJ. Watson, of
the borough of Dunmore, We're the candi-
dates for district attorney before the said
convention, and the only candidates for
said office.
Fifth-The result of the vote counted
by the secretaries and declared by the
convention was: For
John r. Jones, 22i1a votes.
George NJ. Watson, 23Ia votes
SXth-The officers of said convention
certified to the county commissioners
the name of John r. Jones as having re-
ceived the nomination for district attor-
.ney. Said certificate was filed with the
county commissioners Sept. 10, 1891. A
copy thereof is hereto attached, and
asked to be taken as part of this petition.
WRONGFULLY PROCURED.
Seventh-That a large proportion of the
votes cast for said John r. Jones in
said convention, to wit, upwards of two
hundred and twenty-five (225) were fraud
ulent and ought not to have been count
ed for him. Said votes We're procured to
be cast for said John r. Jones by brb-
cry, intimidation, fraud and wilful, cor
rupt violation of the constitution and
laws of this commonwealth, and of the
rules of the Republican party in this
county.
Eighth-Said John r. Jones, while a
candidate as aforesaid, did by himself
and through others acting in his behalf
and with his knowledge and sanction
obtain the votes of delegates in said
convention through fraud, coercion, cor
rupt solicitation, threats and bribery, at
tempt to bribe and unlawfully influence
large number of delegates in said con-
vention to vote for his nomination, and
large number of such illegal votes, to
wit, upwards of 22i votes were received
by the officers of said convention and
counted for said John r. Jones, and were
included in the result as above certi-
fled TO the county commissioners.
Ninth-That the said convention re-
ccived a large number. to wit, upward
of ten illegal votes from persons who
We're seated in said convention by the
committee on contested seats, at the time
well knowing that said delegates were
not elected by the Republican electors in
their respective districts, and counted
said votes for the same John r. Jones.
Tenth-A like number of delegates duly
qualified and elected and certified as such
to said convention, and who would have
voted for your petitioner We're thereby
and by wilfu fraud deprived of their
places and rights to participate and vote
in said convention.
SEATED DEMOCRATS.
f4ltNtlllll-l nat the convention seated
as delegates a large number, to wit,
upwards of 10 persons who We're Demo.
Gratis, and disqualified under the laws
of this state and the rules of the Re-
publican party in this county, and al
lowed them to vote in said convention
and their votes Were received and count
ed for said John r. Jones
Twefth-And a like number of ouali-
fled delegates who would have voted for
your petitioner We're deprived of their
seats and participation as voters in said
convention.
Thirteenth-Your petitioner believes he
received majority of the legal votes
cast for the office of district attorney
in said convention, and should have been
returne, by said chairman and secre-
taries of said convention as the nominee
of Ine said convention for the office of
district attorney.
Fourteenth-That prior to said primar-
les held in the different election districts
in said county, and said convention held