The record-union., 1899-12-08
4 Decision In the Matter Expected to be
Handed Down Tomorrow.
Strong Probability That Certifi-
Gates Of Election Will be Given
to William S. Taylor, the Re-
publican Candidate for Gov
ernor, and to the Other Repub-
lican Candidates for Offices ON
the State Ticket.

FRANKFORT Ry.), Dec 1.-THE de-
cision of the State Board of Election
Commissioners covering the Guberna-
torial contest will be handed down on
Saturday morning. The strong prob
ability is that certificates of election
will be given to William S. Taylor, the
candidate for Governor, and
to the other Republican candidates for
other offices on the State ticket. The
vote will probably be two for the Re
publicans and one for the Democratic
State ticket.
1t was thought when the board adj
journed at noon, after the conclusion
of Judge Hargis' argument that two
of the members of the board had prac-
tically decided to vote for Taylor, and
that they wished to spend the time be-
tween the adjournment of the court and
the time set for the reading of the opin-
ion in preparing syllabus of the de-
cision they had decided to render.
1t is possible, in case the decision is
given to Taylor, that the Democrats
may secure an injunction restraining
him from taking his seat, and in this
manner inaugurate the fight that will
be carried into the Legislature, and
fought out there to the bitter end. Some
such step has been considered, but not
definitely determined upon. It is be-
lieved that the board, in handing down
it's decision, will say that while frauds
and irregularities were undoubtedly
committed in the election, the powers
of the board do not permit it to go be-
hind the returns. 1t is expected that
upon this part of the decision, granting
it is made, a Democratic contest will
be given ground to stand.
Neither of the candidates would talk
about the matter. Mr.. Taylor said: n
have nothing to say. I am still in the
thick woods, and as long as I see trees
can't talk. My friends tell me this
and that, but I will wait until Satur-
day before I do any talking"
Argument in the election cases was
concluded to-day Commissioner Ellis
said to-day there was little probability
of decision being reached by the board
before Saturday morning. It required
all of this morning for Judge Hargis to
deliver the closing argument for the
Democratic side, and the Commissioners
will spend much time in going over the
authorities cited by the attorneys. Dur
ing all of yesterday Commissioners
Ellis and Pryor made copious notes,
with the evident intention of looking
up the authorities themselves.
All sorts of rumors and stories were
flying around last night and this morn
ing regarding a surprise that the Dem
ocratic party would spring to-day. By
some it was said that an injunction
would be secured restraining Mr.. Tay-
lor from acting as Governor in case
he receives the certificate of election
Others declared that the Court of APP
peals would hand down a decision in a
case from an Ohio county, where tissue
ballots were used in local election.
The court, it was asserted. would de-
clare that the election was void be-
cause of the use of these ballots. This
decision would, of course, be of i'm
mense service to the Democratic candi-
dates by establishing a precedent upon
which the State Election Commissioners
would be almost compelled to declare
void the election in the counties of
Knox, Johnson, Pike and Magofin,
were used.
Judge Hargis began his argument at
$40 O'Clock He opened with strong
arraignment of the tactics alleged to
have been pursued by the Republicans
in the city of Louisville. He declared
that by reason of the militia and Unit
ed States Marsllals who were gathered
in the city, the Democratic ticket was
deprived of 10000 votes. He declared
that the conduct of the Republicans in
Jefferson County was deliberate and
criminal usurpation of power. The
judicial acts of Judge Toney in issuing
orders of court directed against Demo-
cratic election officials were also de-
clared to be an unlawful assumption Of
authority.
Judge Hargis then turned his atten-
ton to the Republican State officials,
who had, he declared, filled the streets
of Frankfort with drunken and law
ing of the Canvassing Board, for the
purpose of overawing the board in the
discharge of it's sworn duty.
Commissioner Ellis interrupted Judge
Harris in the statement that the cleo
ton of officers OF JEFFERSON County had
certified under the stress of writ of
mandamus for returns which were
false.
do they say they certified to false
returns?" asked Mr.. Ellis.
''They do" said Judge Hargis.
did they put that assertion in writ
ing?"
mo, sir because they were told by
the court if they did SO they would be
committed for contempt, and they did
not wish to go to JAIL.
In one precinct in Louisville. Judge
Hargis declared 900 votes were cast
for State representatives, when only
40 ballots were used.
How do you know only 10 ballots
were used?" asked Mr.. Ellis.
Because the election officers so GER
titled
s'In how many precincts were the off,
GERS forced by writs to certify to the
returns?" asked Mr.. Ellis
I'm ten or fifteen replied Judge Har-
gis
Mr.. Ellis offered another question,
vuhpn Ind pp TIarpiS coi7 ~ 49,. ~,,.