The Philipsburg mail., 1898-12-09
GE0. METCALF ISSHERIFF
The Recount Does Not Change the Result Of
the Late Election.
HIS MAJORITY INCREASED TO a
The Proceedings Occupied Nearly a Whole
Day In COurt-BOth of the Candidates
Gained in the RecOunt-Met-
cal f69O, Mcdonald CSC.

Last Wednesday was an interesting
day at the court house while the contest
case over the office of sheriff was in
progress. The court room was packed
and standing room was pretty we'll oc
cupied by interested parties from bott
sides. Messrs. Durfee & Brown anG
Gov. II. B. Smith We're the ATTORNEYS
for for the contestant, Finlay j. Nc
Donald and Mr.. W. E. Moore and Col
W. F. Sanders represented the interests
Of Mr.. Metcalf. The contestant alleged
that owing to misconduct on the part OF
the judges of election in Precincts No. /
North Philipsburg), No. 2 South Phil
ipsbu-g), No. Is (Quigley) and No. q
Iower Rock Creek he was deprived OF
certain votes which, if counted, would
give him majority of seven votes over
the contestee,. George Metcalf, and that
he was duly elected sheriff by that ma
jority; that certain votes had been re
jected which of right ought to have
DCClI djltt IL ItCOuIlt WAS tSkcC
OF the above-named precincts.
The cOntestee, George Metcalf, in his
answer denied the charges and alleged
that he had been deprived of certain
votes that were rejected ON account OF
the cross being made to the right of his
name instead of to the left (where the
square space appears) upon the ballot
and asked that the votes so rejected in
Precincts No. II (Garnet), No 7 Gran
ite), and No. IA New Chicago be re.
counted; also that the vote at COmbina.
tion be rejected, owing to the fact that
the polls were closed about $50 o'clock
in that precinct instead of being kept
open until 6 o'clock p. M, as provided
by law
Judge Woody of Missoula presided
and the case proceeded in very ex-
pedient manner.
At Precincts No. 1 North Philips
burg) Mr.. Mcdonald gained two votes
at No. 2 South Philipsburg) Mr.. Nc
Donald gained two and Mr.. Metcalf one
at No. 21 (Lower Rock Creek Mr.. Nc
Donald gained one; at No. Is (Quigley)
Mr.. Mcdonald gained two; at No. IA
New Chicago Mr.. Metcalf gained one;
at No. (Granite) Mr. Mcdonald gained
two and Mr.. Metcalf three; at No. II
(Ganet) Mr.. Mcdonald gained five and
Mr.. Metcalf seventeen, making a total
gain of fourteen for Mr.. Mcdonald and
a gain of seventeen for Mr.. Metcalf.
The vote as returned by the county
canvassing board was. Mr. Metcalf 673
and Mr.. Mcdonald 672, and with the
votes added that We're gained by the re-
count the result is, Mr. Metcalf $50 and
Mr. Mcdonald $50, giving Mr.. Metcalf
majority Of four votes.
The court held that the vote at Com
bination precinct was legal, inaslnucl
as all voters tnat We're entitled to vote
at that precinct mad voted, and by clos
ing the polls earlier than the time fixed
by law the voters of that precinct
should not be disfranchised.
Considerable interest was taken in the
proceedings by friends Of both sides
and others who had never witnessed
any similar action-this being the first
case of the kind in the history Of Gran
ite county.
The result is accepted gracefully by
both sides and meets with general salts
faction; the wishes Of majority of the
people prevails, and Mr. George Met
calf will serve them as sheriff for the
next two years.