The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-20
ELECTION CONTEST.
Claim Made That Ballots
Against the Gambling
Amendments We're I'm
properly Rejected.
STATE BOARD CAKVASSES THE VOTE
Governor Griggs Defers Issuing His
PROCLAMATION Declaring the
Result Until Monday.
Especial to ..rhe Jersey city News."1

Especial to 'The Jersey City News."1
TRENTON, Oct. 20, 1S97.-The race track
men have not abandoned their 1ght
against the adoption of the a~nti-gambling
amendment, which they still declare was
defeated had the vote been properly
counted The first step toward contesting
the election was made yesterday. when
the State Board of Canvassers, appointed
by Governor Griggs to canvass the vote
of the special election, met to go over the
official returns received in the Secretary
Of States office. The opponents of the
amendment were represented by eX-Sen-
ator William D. Edwards, of Hudson
county.
The State Board of ~Canvassers, consist
ing of the Governor, Senators Foster M.
Voorhees, of Union, Edward c. Stokes OIL
Cumberland. William NJ. Johnson OF Ber-
gen. Jacob Gould of Sussex. and FIcharu
S. Kuhl of Hunrerdon, met in the Senate
Chamber yesterday afternoon at W
O'Clock. The Board was called to order
by the Governor, who administered the
oath to each of the Senators. Senate
Johnson administered the oath tor the
Governor. Executive Clerk Edward D.
Fox was made sergeant-at-arms, after
which the board proceeded to canvas $ the
returns as received from the Secretary OF
State.
During all their operations they were
closely watched by ex-senator Edwa rds.
who manifested considerable interest. IN
the returns. The result of the canvass
showed that the antf-ganbling anne nd
ment had been carried by a majority OF
SOP; that the ad-ineerim appointment
amendment had been adopted by q ma
lority OF 1926. and that the wons MS
suffrage amendment had been defes pted
by a majority of 1O,059. The canvass
also showed chat there were e61 rejec Ted
ballots.
When the figures had all been Q sm-
piled. Senator Johnson moved that the
Board certify to the adoption OF the first
and. second amendment. and the de feat
Of the third amendment, by the respee give
majorities mentioned.
Ex-senator Edwards here tnterp osed
by saying that he had been retained by a
number of clients to contest the d dop-
ton of the ~anti-gambling amendu hent.
He then referred to the fact that ul.1
special election law, under which the
election was held, does not specify now
ballots should be Cancelled, further than
by saying that to vote against an aJ mend
ment a pen or pencil should b. en-
ployed. The law, he continued, di not
specify what kind of a mark shol I'D pc
made on the ballots, yet the el ectlon
officers had rejected many because blue,
brown or other colored pencils had. been
employed. He c~ontended that ih tins
respect the Werts Ballot Reform law
did not apply to the special el,.cti on.
Other ballots were rejected because a
broad instead Of a narrow line was ma De
across the amendment sought 90 2 E voa en
ballots should have been counted S voAes
against the amendment.
Ex-senator Edwards sad that ne W.
desirous OF having the matter reviewed
by the Board of CanvasSerS Or oSher
proper tribunal, and would show 1hat
had the ballots been legally cou ated The
anti-gambling amendment wou Id have
been lost by a majority OF a hu ndred or
more votes. He asked that the election
returns be referred back to the various
election boards in the several counties,
for revision.
should this be done and an e. ,planat1on
offered, the State Board could C hange the
result of the figures received froeI the
Ex-senator Edwards believed they could
do so.
Senator Johnson differed. lie thought
that the function of the Stat 3 Board of
Canvassers was a purely c fTtcal one;
power whatever. Governor GTiggs ex-
pressed the same opinion.
nat Johnson's resolution was then
voted on ana carried uildIlHlOUNy.
Ex-senator Edwards then asked. The
Governor to defer issuing his procaam a.
ton declaring the first two amendments
regularly lodged in the proper place, The
Governor agreed to withhold the proeA-
nation until next Monday In order %
give an opportunity to right:-any illjpstioe
that might have occurred.
Ex-senator Edwards was unable to.
say yesterday what will beg his next move
in the matter. and by many persons it
was seriously questioned whether any
thing ann nnU he dnnn j. The Gnxnrrnri
seemed to be of the o-Sinion that it is
0 too late TO make any contest. In the
interest of fairness hes was willing to
withhold the proclamat bon, although as a
matter of fact he did rot see Just how II
would benefit the opponents OF the anti
gambling amendment
Senator johnson was also or the
opinion that the timej to act has tgone by.
and that. the PASSAGE of the amendment
cannot be successfully attacked. Unless,
an order of some kind is obtained FROM
the courts. the two amendments will goI
into effect as SCORE as the Governor pros
mulgates them.