The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-10
COUNTING.
Vote For Sheriff Being Re-
counted Rapidly.
q. B. Clemens Takes a Look at
the Ballots.
He Says the Ingenuity of HUI
man Stupidity
is REALLY STARTLING.
IS REALLY STARTLING.
Some Voters Actually Strain
Themselves Apparently,
In Order to Mark Their Ballots
Like BIOckheads.
WITNESSES STORIES.
AffidaVits Made by Those Who
Got Liquor.

The attorneys for Sheriff Kepley
have little to say about the sweeping
charges made by Porter Cooks attor-
neys in the amended answer filed yes
terday afternoon. Eugene Hagan was
asked what will be done and declined
to say anything more than that their
reply viii be filed tomorrow.
VIII you make counter charges ?"
was asked
mo; we cannot do that" he replied,
for we will not be allowed to do so.
There will be nothing startling in our
reply. 1t viii simply be q denial of
the charges made and we will call up
on them for proof"
Mr.. Haga1 refused to say what steps
viii be taken in Mr.. Kepley's behalf.
The count is proceeding more rapid
ly than it has for the past few days.
The court is rushing the count, and
Judge Dana said today that he is salts
fed that the canvass will be completed
by tomorrow evening, which is a half
day longer than the court intended to
devote to the count.
Judge Dana said that in all prOba-
bility the arguments on the ballots will
be taken up next Monday morning. The
opening of the packa ges which contain
the defective" ballots will be the last
thing done tomorrow.
G. c. Clemens and Judge Horton do
not spend any time in watching the
progress of the count. Mr.. Clemens
W
when he left there was a look of dis
gust his face.
The ingenuity of human stupidity
is something startling" said he. AT
ter the explicit directions about the
use of the Australian ballot, it is sur
prising what mistakes voters make.
The right way is the easiest way to
mark a ticket, but the voter seems to
think that he has to mark the ticket
in some mysterious manner. I have
no opinion to express about the ballots
which have been objected to and laid
aside"
Mr.. Clemens says that he has dis
Mr.. Clemens says he has discovered
that in Oakland the judges placed
no number on the tickets, and he con-
siders this a fatal defect. On the
other hand the situation in the Fourth
precinct of the Second ward is quite as
serious, for the judge of election fail
ed to put his initials the ticket as
required. The one will offset the other.
Coroner Westerheld and his deputy,
Frank Snyder, are busy today serving
subpoenas. The taking of testimony
will not be commenced until after the
court has heard the arguments on the
ballots that were thrown out by the
judges of elections and which were OBJ
jected to by attorneys during the re-
count
The list of witnesses comprises all
who are charged with having anything
to do with the distribution of liquor.
Deputy Larry Sheehan who is includ-
ed in Mr.. Cooks drag net said today
that he viii be able to excuIpate him
self. He said he did not care to talk
about the charge that he distributed
liquor in the interests of Sheriff KEEP
ley.
o. z. Hungate, who is also included
in the list has been summoned. He
laughed when asked what he had to say
about the charge and said: I expect
to receive some offers to act as agent
for brewing companies after this
Attorney DOran who drew both the
original and amended answer feels con-
fdent of being able to establish his
charges. To prevent his witnesses from
going back on their statements he Sc
cured a large number of affidavits from
colored men. Green Creager made an
affidavit that Lucas came to him with
jug of whisky and that liquor was dis
tributed in his presence on several Oc-
siOns and others made affidavits which
formed the foundation for the sensation
al charges. Witnesses are sometimes
slippery and to avoid being left with
the bag to hold, Attorney Doran clinch-
ed this evidence when the witnesses
were interviewed by him.
Mr. Doran says that he will use the
affidavits if necessary when the time
comes for taking testimony.