The Red Cloud chief., 1897-04-02
NO FRAUD IN RECOUNT
STATEMENT FROM OTHER
COMMISSIONERS
fake Empatic Exceptions to Mr.. Hedlund's
Charges of Fraud-Issue a signed Com
munication to the Governor Denying
the Statements Made.

d letter TO Governor Holcomb charg-
ing fraud in the recount of the votes
on the constitutional amendment Gre
ating two new judges of the supreme
court, comes the following denial signed
by the other six commissions rs, among
whom is MIR. Ross, republican:
LINCOLN, Neb.. March 10, ls97.-To
His Excellency, Sllas A. Holcomb, Gov
ernor OF Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.-Sir:
In Justice to ourselves. as members of the
commission appointed Ivy your excellency
under the provisions of the law to recan.
vass the vote on the constitutional amend
ment providing for an increase of the
number OF supreme judges. we deem 1t
proper to make a statement concerning
our connection with the recount.
Prefacing this statement. we desire to
say that to the best of our knowledge and
belief, the recount has been fairly and
honestly conducted, and that no member
or this commission, with possibly the ex-
ception OF Mr.. Hedlund, has ever con-
nived to change or interfere with an ac-
curate count OF the ballots. On the other
hand, we have faithfully endeavored to the
best OF our ability to ascertain the vote
cast and accurately recorded II. When the
commission appointed by you met at the
ONCE OF the secretary Of state to open
the ballots and make the count, we or
ganized by the election OF Mr.. Campbell
- ~ paNhdhC " tDc Vii
ferent counties were usually opened by
Mr.. Campbell or Mr.. Porter, secretary of
state. and invariably In the presence OF
the other commissioners Tit vote was
called or by Messrs. Oberfelder, Ross.
Bowlby. Campbell and Porter. and at all
times, at least one other commissioner
watched the ballots as they were being
called by one Of these commissioners. The
tally sheets were kept by Messrs. He'd
iund and Blake. Sometimes Messrs. Por-
ter and Bowlby relieved Mr.. Blake. but
Mr.. Hedlund kept one tally sheet without
assistance.
While It is perhaps unnecessary at this
time to enter into detail, we unqualifiedly
state that no package opened by us has
shown any evidence OF having been tam
pered with while In our possession. The
seals OF the county clerks were not in
5ured, until broken In the presence Of this
commission.
We have been particular TO have at least
two commissioners watch the ballots as
they have been called of, one OF whom
was a republican, and whenever there has
been any doubt as to the intention Of the
| voter. the ballot has been submitted to all
the commissioners. and the intention de-
clared by unanimous agreement. At no
| time did Mr.. Hedlund ever vote to have
any ballot recorded differently from the
manner In which It was recorded. When
the vote Of any precinct has been recorded
the ballots lave been at once, and In the
presence Of all commissioners, sealed up
In an envelope. used for that purpose, and
when the canvass OF a county was COM
pleted. all the poll books and ballots were
securely packed In boxes, or wrapped In
heavy paper. tied and marked for return
to the county clerks.
Mr.. Hedlund has at all times checked
OF orally a. b recorded the votes. and in
every instar~s where there was a differ
ence In the tally sheets. the record kept
by Mr.. Hedlund was accepted as conclu-
sive. In this connection. we desire to say
that very frequently there was a differ
ence In the tally. yet Mr.. Hedlund's score
was always accepted. even though the diff
ference amounted to five or ten votes. on
account of his superior clerical kill in
che performance Of such work.
Now, In view Of several suspicious cir
cumstances which we will herein relate.
we verify believe that an attempt has
been made TO make US the victims OF a
conspiracy In order to violate our canvass
and destroy the integrity of the ballots.
We are firmly convinced that Mr.. Hedlund
has been made the willing tool OF a set
OF political pirates, extending from men
occupying the most exalted positions In the
state, to a dlsreputabls puppet. who has
spent his time and talents in the past In
besmirching the reputation OF honest men.
First. we would call attention to the con-
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