The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-20

INNS yestcrody Out tnrOW
out 272 straight democratic votes. This
was done on the merest Technically
and caused no end Of excitement at
the court house and around the street
when b action Of the commissioners
became known. For several hours the
canvassing room vas crowded with ex-
cited people Of all parties. There was
angry debating over the matter. The
action Of the board was accepted with
better grace than might be expected,
as h democrats were confident that
they would obtain justice through the
courts.
When they started in yesterday
morning the members of the board
proceeded to canvass precincts II and
II. which had been omitted the pre-
vious day under circumstances which
were related in yesterdays Standard.
These two heavy democratic precincts
were soon properly enrolled. Precincts
10. II. Is and 1e had been canvassed the
preceding day. so that the next pre-
cinct to be canvassed was No. II. This
was reported just before the noon hour.
Precinct II is Familiarity known as the
Hale house precinct. the Florence no.
tel. formerly the Hale house. being To-
Gated In II. 1t is a heavy democratic
precinct. The total number Of votes
cast in the precinct were l7s, and OF
these 212 were marked with a cross in
the circle at b top OF the democratic
column. indicating that the depositors
OF these ballots intended to vote the
straight democratic ticket. The judges
of election so understood. but recorded
the votes In a slightly different form
from what appeared in the books of
the precincts heretofore canvassed.
The commissioners take the tally
sheet as their guide in the v the
poll book being used merely as a check.
The tally sheet is used by the judges
and clerks of election in marking down
with a straight mark the vote for zach
candidate as it Is called OFF from the
ballot. The Judges and clerks, instead
Of marking opposite the name Of Zach
candidate 272 separate and distinct
marks. punched the 272 straight votes
and made the figures 272 opposdte each
democratic candidate. indicating that
candidate should have 272 votes
in addition to what scratches he might
receive. The votes the candidates OBJ
tanned on scratched ballots were
marked by the straight marks in the
usual way. and the total Of such votes
carried out and placed above the fig
ures 272.
The board Of county commissioners
consists of three members, of whom
Messrs. Clark and Mathews are popu-
lists and Charles @. Terrell Is a demo-
crat. As soon as the tally book OF
precinct II was opened, Messrs. Clark
and Mathews refused to understand
that the judges meant that 272 straight
votes were to be counted for the demo-
candidates. They said that was
only a superstition. and that all they
could go on was the tallies actually
marked. Mr.. Terrell, the democratic
commissioner. baked at this and there
was quite a heated discussion. It last
until the noon hour. when a recess
was taken until 2 o'clock.
During the noon recess the demo-
watchers went to work to rustic
up thej judges and clerks who had acted
in the Of precinct IL. The demo
ratio Judge could not be found. but
judges were found. two of them
and one a populist. They
we're Messrs. A. A. Crossman and r. f.
Curtis. republicans. and Sam Nixon, !
These gentlemen all said that
was nc doubt 272 straight demo-
votes had been cast and their in
was that they should be count
ID for each of the democratic candi-
Instead Of going to the trouble
II making 272 separate tallies opposite
he name Of each democratic candidate,
hey merely marked the figures "272"
each democratic candidate in
to save time.
81 was under oath to do my duty as
an election Judge" said Mr.. Crossman,
and. although a republican. I would
not stultify myself by being a party to
throwing u OF the votes Of n ran
iidate. I would be glad to explain to
he commissioner how 1t happened and
will make an afidavit II necessary"
All three Of the judges appeared be-
ore the commissioners when they met
lgain at . o'clock. The board conclud-
ID to ask the advice OF c. p. Connolly.
ieputy county attorney. in the matter.
Connolly said that being a candi-
ate himself he could not very well ad-
'ise as county attorney. but he would
the law. Mr.. Connolly thereapon
cad the law pertaining Il the duties
Il Judges Of election and expressed the
tpinion that the vote should be counted
rejecting any returns. /,
w are not rejecting any returns"
aid Chairman Clark. These are not
eturns. We will proceed to count the !
allies on the tally sheet and that 10 J
IL" |