Willmar tribune., 1900-11-28
WnlTNEy'S BLUFF CALLED.
Roslng Proposes . Plan for. Recount,
but the Republicans Back Down.

Roslng Proposes . Plan for Recount,
but the Republicans Back Down.
Definite steps toward settling the
question of the gubernatorial election,
which many of the friends of Gov.
Lind believe did not really result as
the face of the returns show, was TAX
en- yesterday by Chairman Rosing, of
the Democratic state central commit
tee, with the evident Endorsement of
Gov. Lind.
The proposition, which is contained
in letter to Capt. G. G. Whitney, as
secretary OF the Republican state GEN.
tral committee, is briefly, to recount
eight counties, each committee to
name four of them. If these eight
counties do not show net gain of 500
votes for Gov. Lind, then Mr.. Rosing
assures the Republicans that Gov.
Lind will not further contest the elec-
tion.
Mr.. Rosing's letter is in full as fol-
lows:
Nov. %, 1900.
Hon. C. c. Whitney, Secretary Re-
publican State Central Committee, ST..
Paul, Minn.-Dear Sir: My attention
has been called to a statement pub
lished by you as secretary OF the Re-
publican state central committee, in
the Minneapolis Journal, under date
OF Nov. Ia, in which you say, among
other things, that you "would author
ize the Journal to say on behalf of
Capt: Van SAINT that the latter would
rather have recount than to have
any question as to his title to the gov
ernorship; that, in fact, the captain
does not want to be governor unless
the voters show that he has a plural
itv."
A ''prominent Republican, speak
ing in the same article, adds:
'"That the Democratic game is very
plain. After two or three weeks" he
said, "of insinuations and gossip as
to election frauds, by which time the
feeling will be pretty general over the
state that perhaps there was a little
crookedness, Gov. Lind will come out
and make little speech in which he
will say that whether elected or not,
he has decided for the honor and har-
mony and welfare of the state not to
make contest. Then the people will
be moved to tears, and will say again
what q great and good and honest
man ohm Lind is, but now that the
Republicans have stated that they
would welcome a recount, this game
will scarcely work.
These gratuitous reflections on Gov.
Lind's character and motives are as
uncalled for as. they are unwarranted.
Mr.. Lind has not to my knowledge ex.
pressed himself on the subject of a
contest, except to discourage the idea.
On the other hand, with the we'll known
fact that upwards of Is, 600 ballots SO
far as reported, and undoubtedly q
much larger number in the aggregate,
intended and cast for Gov. Lind have
been thrown out by election officers
throughout the state by reason of er.
roneous marking, it is but natural thai
a large number of citizens should de-
sire review.
While before and at the election VIZ
are all anxious for our partisan pref
erences, we are at the same time a.
citizens equally jealous that the true
verdict of the people, whether for o,
against particular candidate, shall
be ascertained and stand: With this
in view and to the end that Capt. Var
SAINT may have title to the Office TO,
which he is likely to be declared elect
ed by 8 small plurality on the face O.
the returns, upon which no reflections
can be cast and which no citizen O.
the state will thereafter question,
make this proposition to you and tt
your committees:
I will name four counties in thil
state for q recount and you may name
four others; in the eight counties 81
designated review shall be had a
as early day as the forms of law per
NIT access to the ballots and for which
arrangements shall be made by eithel
side without technical objections OF
delays being interposed by the other
If upon such review of the ballot.
in the eight counties named, the fact.
developed do not show q net gain O
500 votes in behalf Of Mr. Lind ove1
the number returned by the canvassinf
board for him for the same counties
then I have Mr.. Lind's assurance tina
he will under no circumstances eithe1
institute q contest or permit one to b,
| instituted in his behalf.
An answer to this by the 26th day O
November is respectfully requested.
Yours truly, Il. H. Rosing,
~: Chairman
The letter was delivered by specia
messenger to Secretary Whitney lat
yesterday afternoon. To q Globe re
porter, soon after its receipt, he said
."I shall call q meeting Of the com
mittee at once. / do not feel author
lied to act for the committee, but / an
personally confident that Mr.. Rosing' !
communication will receive speedy ani
serious consideration. I think Capt
Van SAINT Is as anxious to have th
result OF the recent election placed be
| yond cavil as any one in the state