Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-04-05
THE BALLOT BOX WAS STUFFED.

S'SNo' uuh WHO OlUTTCU.
An Exciting Election at the Animal sessi,,
OF the Delaware Conference The Num-
Der OF Votes Cast Exceeded the Number
OF Delegates-One Ballot Declared Void.
PhiIadeiphia Ledger, March 3lst.
The fact that ballot box stuffinp ia
not confined to Philadelphia municipal
elections, but pervades at times even
the conventions of religious bodies,
was illustrated yesterday at tho Lay
Electoral convention of the Delaware
Sonference lcolored) Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. 1t was one of the
most exciting and hotly contested
electlons aTer held by similar gather
ing in this city, resulted in dead
lock, which continued from o'clock in
the afternoon until late last night, with
brief intermission for supper.
After seven ballots were taken, il
was made manifest that more votes
we're being cast than there we're Gre
dientials presented by delegates. The
discovery created sensation, and q
scene Of great excitement ensued.
On the first ballot TO elect delegates
to the General Conference, Herbert Ii,
Wilson OF Upper Paramount, Nd, re-
ceived II votes, and was declared
elected.
II was necessary, in addition, to elect
another regular delegate, provisional
delegate and an alternate. A second
ballot for the election of a second
regular delegate was accordingly taken.
The four candidates we're Walter j.
johnson, a member Of Councils in the
city Of Chester, and representing st.
Daniels Church Simon A. Chase Of
Ezion Church, Wilmington; Ephraim
Nutter of..Metropolitan Church, Princess
Anne, Nd, and Frederick Nichols of
Che3tertown, Nd.
When the votes were counted it was
found that % hadlsbeen cast, but that
none of the four candidates had re.
ceived the requisite majority. When
the result was announced, Mr.. Nutter,
who had received but votes, with
drew, and third ballot was taken, so
votes being cast.
On the fourth ballot there we're 81
votes, and on the fifth ballot 95 votes
cast.
BY this time it became evident that
the deadlock might continue all night.
The taking CT the first five ballots had
consumed nearly two hours, and it was
getting near supper time. Besides, a
number of the delegates from out of
town were growing impatient to get
away. When the sixth ballot was
taken, 1t was found the number of
votes cast had been increased to l0i.
When this result was announced, a
delegate arose and called attention to
the fact that the number of credentials
received during the entire day from
delegates was only l0l.
NOW, do be careful, brethren" he
said.
81 suggest" said another, THAT the
delegates write their own names on the
back of their ballots. 1t must be that
some people are Slipping in and writing
ballots. -
An appetizing odor of ham and fried
potatoes fioated up from the church
kitchen in the basement, and before
the votes Of the seventh ballot had
been cast big supper bell rang.
II hope no brother will leave his
seat for SUPPER said Robert Street.
"You are here to do work for your
church do it"
They'll get their supper Just the
same, Z" said Il. Z. Parker of Camden.
"There's plenty to eat for ALL.
A minute or two later the tellers re-
entered. Their faces wore an ominous
EXPRESSION. They were led by S. II.
Hodges. 'Mr. Secretary" he said,
show many credentials were admitted
todayf"
some hundred and one," said the
secretary.
'Then there is something curious
about this ballot" said Mr.. Hodges.
There were ITO votes cast, and don t
think that il men could write their
ballot all in the same hand or that 10
men who can't write have been sent to
this convention and have to get one Of
the brothers to write for them.
On behalf Of the tellers. Mr.. Hodges
then announced that Mr.. johnson had
received % votes, Mr.. Nutter % and
Mr.. Chase 90. This gave Delegate
Chase four votes more than were neces-
sary for a choice. Murmurs Of fraud
ran through the room.
The greatest excitement prevailed. A
number of delegates were on their.feet
at once. Mr.. Chase was recognized by
the chairman.
"I'm a man among men," he said.
eff more votes were cast than ought ia
be cast, it ought to be ruled out. ]
don't want children's play"
1t was unanimously decided to de.
clare the seventh ballot void, and the
convention adjourned for supper in a
state of considerable turmoil.
At the evening session. the deadlock
continued through - ballots.
As the session opened, one of the
delegates said: 1--WE don't need
any political lodges. We need
| Christianity. As the evening ad
yanced without any result, another
said he was dead tired and sleepy, -
and wanted to go home.
SIN stay right here till daybreal
tomorrow, till we make CHOICE" sale
one enthusiast.
In taking the ninth ballot, it was
suggested that as a preoaution agains
any 'mistakes'' the delegates rise al
they voted and hold their hand up higt
as they dropped their ballots into tht
tellers' hats. Some one objected tt
| this hut Mr.. Hodges Stoke in fayol