The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-10-20

Fox was made Ser Seant-atA Arms, after
which the board proceeded to canvass
the returns as received from the Sec
rotary of State.
During all their operations they were |
closely watched by ex-senator Ed |
wards, who manifested considerable
interest in the returns The result of
the canvass showed that the anti-gamb-
ling amendment has been carried by II
majority of SOP that the ad-interim
appointment amendment had been
adopted by majority of 7,246, and |
that the woman $ suffrage amendment |
has been defeated by a majority of |
10, 059 The canvass also showed that |
there were 9Gl rejected ballots.
When the figures had all been com
piled, Senator Johnson moved that the
Board certify to the adoption of the
first and second amendments, and the
defeat of the amendment, by the re-
spective maiorities mentioned.
Ex- Senator Edwards here interposcd
by saying that he had been retained
by number of clients to contest the
adoption of the anti-g gambling amend
ment. He than referred to the fact
that the special election law. under
which the election was held, does not
specify how ballots should be cancelled,
further than by saying that to vote
Of Il oil
should he employed. The law, he con
tmued, did not specify what kind of
| mark should be made ON the ballots,
yet the election officers had rejected
many because blue. brown or other
colored pencils had been employed.
| He contended TINT in this respect the
| Wcrts Ballot Reform law did not apply
to the special election. Other ballots
were rejected because broad instead
Of narrow line was made across the
amendment sought to be voted against.
should have been counted as votes
against the amendment
FIX Senator Edwards said that he was
DESTROYS of having the matter reviewed
| by the Board of Canvassers or other
proper tribunal, and would show that
had the ballots been legally counted
the anti gambling amendment would
have been lost by majority of hun
drcd or more votes. He asked that
the Gle elton returns be referred back
to the various election boards in the
several counties, for revision.
Governor Griggs asked whether,
even should this be done and an ex-
PLANTATION ofrerod, th& State Board
could change the result of the figures
received from the Secretary of State.
Ex-senator Edwards replied that he
believed they could do So.
| Senator Johnson differed. He
thought that the function of the State
Board of Canvassers was purely cleri-
cal one aud that they were without any
| Judicial power whatever. Governor
Griggs expressed the same opinion.
Senator Johnson's resolution was
then voted ON and carried unanimous
ly.
EN Senator Edwards then asked the
Governor 10 defer issuing his pro-
clamation declaring the first two
amendments adopted, until protest
could be regularly lodged in the prop
er place The Governor agreed to
withhold the proclamation until next
Monday, in order to give nm opportu-
nifty to right any injustice that might
have occurred.
Ex-senator Edwards was unable to
say yesterday what will be his
next move in the matter, and by many
persons II was seriously questioned
whether anything can now be done.
The Governor seemed to he of the
opinion that il is now too late to make
any contest In the interest of fair
ness he was willing to withhold the
proclamation, although ms n matter of
fact he did not see how il would be
netit the opponents of the anti gamb-
ling amendment.
Senator Johnson was also of the
opinion that the time to act has gone
by, and that the passage of the amend
ment cannot be successfully attacked
Unless m or der of some kind is oh
tanned from the courts. the two amend
ments will go into effect ms soon as the
Governor promulgates them.
The contention made by the race
track sympathizers is looked upon as
n more or less speculative one ut best
In order that II may avail them any
thing IT must be assumed that Mt least
five siNths of the rejected ballots
would, if counted, have been votes
against the gambling amendment.
AS Il matter of fact, it is quite possible
of the other amendments may have
been cancelled. very few such bal
| lots would, if counted still leave a
majority i'll favor of the amendments
Then, too, 1t is quite possible that some
ballots may have been rejected because
of being torn or otherwise mutilated.
hut not cancelled. These ballots also.
if counted, would help the admend-
ments.
Although it is known that the race
track men are determined to beat the
amendment if they can, it is consid-
cred doubtful whether. in view of
existing circumstances, they will max e
any other move in the matter.