The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-09

III IL VIII lEsl1stf5IS. iEks fsSp&zSlEAlss TIA-
fefsc great losses all over the ccun-
~. buz particularly In the First
ward. The rulings of sae fusion inspectors
and Judges In the First vas invariably
partisan and against the Republicans In
two precincts Of the First ward. the fusion
officers conducted things with high hand.
ignoring all rules Of equity and. IL Is
s---ged b. Republicans. openly violated she
law
The storm center lowered over the Fourth
and Fifth precincts Of the First ward DUR
ing the afternoon ard evening. a gun Play
between a fusion deputy sheriff and q re-
publican worker occurred early in the day
1T the Fourth precinct
In this same precinct the fusion inspector,
Louis Huney and the fusion judge. DR. ID
i. Merkel. combined against the Republican
Judge. Grant Mother. Under the law. =
voter who IL unable 20 read or 20 write
car request the assistance OF one or two
officers OF the election. II has always been
the rule 20 allow both the Judges 70 90 70
the booth with a voter and assist him 10
mark the ballot, each judge taking pains 10
ESQ that the voters wishes are carried into
effect.
Inspector Huney and Judge Mernel. OF
the Fourth precinct, agreed with each
other that whenever a voter asked for as
sistancc Merkel should give e. This ar
rangement was forced on the Republican
judge. Mr.. Mother. The Republican work
ers In the ward claim that under this ar
rangement the splri, IL not the exact Ian
guage Of the law was openly violated time
and again The section gov ernins the mat
ter reads as follows:
ANY voter who declares 10 the Judges OF
election . that he cannot read or that
by his blindness or other physical disabil-
fly he is unable TO mark his ballot shall
upon request receive the assistance OF one
or two Of the election officers IN the mark
ing thereof. and such officer or officers shall
certify on the outside thereof that II has
been so marked with his or their assistance.
and shal. thereafter give no information re-
gariing the same. The Judges may In their
discretion require such declaration OF dis
ability To be made by the voter under oath
before them.
One incident occurred in this precinct
under Post-Intsil!genoer reporters obser-
walton which showed how the fusionis's
Used their power for partisan purposes A
negro voter entered the polling place. Ills
eyes were weak and he said:
I'D like the Republican judge 10 come
and help me mark by ballot"
Without a word DIR. Merkel. the fusion
Judge. arose and went 10 the booth with
he was enirusting his franchise to a fusion
election officer The voter emerged with his
ballot within a moment after he entered u,
and one of the Republican workers present
said: That's a straight ticket. III bet"
About noon. the question was raised In
this precinct as 10 the right OF the kepu5-
lican Judge 10 enter the booth and mark
the ballots for those requiring assistance.
A voter named John welch asked for this
assistance He wanted the Republican
Judge 10 mark his ballot Inspector Huney
Immediately objected Mohler. the Repub-
i.can Judge. protested as dii other Re-
publlcans near the polling place. but the
fusionsts stood together and Mohler was
not allowed to mark the ballot although
ne clearly had the right TO do so.
Through an error In the office Of Auditor
Evenson. between fifteen and twenty bal
lots belonging 10 the Twentysixth scna-
toriai district were sent out 10 the Seventh
precinct OF the First ward. in the Twenty
NTH senatorial district. Before the mis-
take had been discovered eight voters had
cast their ballots. BY some mischance the
ballots from the Twenty sixth district were
placed on top Of the package. and were the
first ones reached
The error was discovered by Andrew
Heinrich Republican nominee for state
senator IN the Twenty district who
lives In the seventh precinct. Mr.. Hem
rich went 10 tho polls 10 vote He received
q ballot from the Judges and on inspecting
I, found that y did not contain his name
fsor those Of his associates on tho legisla-
five ticket Naturally he became indig-
rant and his remonstrance against the ac-
Hon Of rhc Judges i'm permitting several
voters to cast the wrong ballot was forcible
and emphatic
There was some disposition at first TO
open the ballot box ard take out the bad
talsots hut n was finally agreed between
the representatives OF the fusion and Re-
Publican parties present that all Rspubli-
can ballots voted with the wrSsng ballot
should be counted for Mr. Heinrich and
the Republican legislative candidates willis
those of the fusion,sts cast in the same
manner should he recorded for Eugene
Way and the fusion legislative nominees.
In the Fourth precinct OF the Fourth
ward Lee II. Hart was an active worker
for the success OF fusion. although he
found time 10 drift down 70 the FIRST ns,-
casionaliy. for encouragement He caused
q sensation early IN the day by protesting
asanst Republican Inspector cautlonins
voters mot 20 forget the amendments =
Rather than argue the question. the in
spector gave way "a Hart'z protest
Congressman Lewis voted in his rreefr,t
the THIRD Of the Fourth wari. AZ about II
O'clock. he stepped aaiu;lly into the nov.
ing place. and after asking advice concern
INK the marking OF his ballot retired with II
Ia booth seen emerged with II neatly
Folded. handed II 10 the Inspector rsr,est-
ediy thanked every one Present Tor the
courtesy extended him and departed The
accent ~ deiicatv}y pcrfumed pocket hand
kerchtef hung behind him In the air ana
cheerei the ~"suy clerks al their work
Later Mr.. Lewis. pale and car,wArr M.
reated OF The streets ard slouk ,h4. hsnas
OF his friends ard % those who were not
he said be was confident cf being elected
although MS Tace dad not giVe ans tndtca
ton 81 great 10y. To "a small sroan m
tftSI avenue he VSucasafed TIE r.rnara,
that from Row on be would lead o,,jaf
peaceful life. ana with "tsoa b.es. yo,,
boys passed on
fTpbaby the eldest vefer Is cast hal
les aga.n~t i''ssaa yesterday Was Fd.non !
" sisflI IN the Second precinct of sha
k'snth sard. Me wight ls ~ WEARS -
ase' ana staaneh Republican. ne tx
gate fee oie. hut a, MS own ~ar.,es; -.
quest Vas driven 10 5he polls IN a -ar~g,s,,
az" siFea tae opportunity % ae,,nss,t:,.-