Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-19
R. P. DANA WINS OUT
Contest Board Finds He Was Elect
ed Treasurer.
THE MARGIN is TWELVE VOTES
One Member of the Commission
Brings in Minority Report and
Says chisman Was Elected by Three
nntes-Reports in Full.

Says chisman Was Elected by Three
Nntes-Reports in Full.
r. P. Dana, republican treasurer
elect of Wapello county, won in the
contest which was concluded today be-
tween himself and D. e. Chisman.
The board finds that Dana received
$3.50 votes and Chisman 3,577, which
Is embodied in majority report sign
ed by J. M. Elder and H. P. Keyhoe.
is. P. Hartman. the representative of
Mr.. Chisman on the contest board, dis
sents from this opinion and submitted
a minority report claiming Chisman's
election by three plurality. One Of
the attorneys for the defeated candi-
date announced this afternoon that the
matter would be carried to the district
court, and an effort made to reverse
the verdict found by the contest board.
The board concluded it's labor short
ly after noon today when it submitted
its report, The count of the fifth
ward showed big gain for Dana. The
official figures given out by the board
of supervisors found the vote to be-
21S for Dana and 276 for Chisman.
The contest board found Dana to have
215 votes and Chisman 267.
Shortly before the board adjourned
today, the attorneys for Chisman
sprung a smooth game On the board,
which, however, failed to work. When
the board was first organized a ruling
was agreed upon unanimously regard
ing the counting of ballots upon which
erasures appeared. Attorneys for
both sides quoted decision by the SUI
preme court on this matter and all
agreed upon how the count should be
made.
When the votes had all been count
ed one of Chisman's attorneys, who
had been keeping close tab on the
votes rejected in this manner counted
up and found that his man was fifteen
behind. Thereupon the attorneys filed
motion to reconsider the former rul-
ing in the case, and count these votes.
The court overruled the proposition,
and 1t is upon the result of these votes
that the minority report is made. Fol-
lowing are the two reports:
The Majority Report.
Be 1t remembered that on Decem-
Der 8, 1901, the contestant nominated
S. P. Hartman, and the incumbent, H
p. keyhoe, as associate judges of this
DOafd or contest.
Whereupon said board, consisting
of j. M. Elder. chairman of the board
OF supervisors Of Wapello county, 10
wa, ex-ofiicio, presiding Judge, and said
associate judges, were duly sworn in
manner end form as required of trial
Jurors, in trial of civil actions. Where
upon this court or said day convened
for the purpose of hearing the contest
and the counter-contest between con.
testanI and incumbent for the Office
OF treasurer CT Vrapallo county. Iowa
for the yeas 1902 and 1903 and until
their successor would he auly elected
and ouanfied. Said court was in ses
sion on December y. 10. IL, IL, 13, II.
is and ~. 1901. and after hearing all
the evidence and counting all the bal
lots cast for said ONCE in Wapello
county said court finds that the con
tessant, D. E. Chisnan, received 3,57i
votes for said office. and that the in
cumbent received 1889 votes for saic
Office and said R. P. Dana mas become
duly elected treasurer OF Wapello
: county, Iowa, for the years 1902 and
1903 and until his successor be duly
: elected and qualified. and that he is
entitled to his certificate of election
1t is further ordered and adjudged
that the incumbent, R. P. Dana, have
and recover of and from the contest
ant, D. e. Chisman the costs of this
case taxed at $685., and that tram
script of this judgment be filed and re,
corded in the Office of the clerk of the
district court of this county, as provid
ed in relation to transcripts from jus
/ tice courts, and that an execution ID
, sue from said court upon this judg
re Ja6 NV, iaI
1 1918 of the code.
J. NJ. Elder, Presiding Judge.
, H. P. Keyhoe
The Minority Report
This board has accepted and count,
I. ed for d. e. Chisman S,577 votes and
: for r. P. Dana, $3.50 votes. Under a
rule adopted by majority of this
board from which I dissent a number
: of ballots on which erasures appear
! were rejected. OF such rejected bal,
lots, it is my opinion that AZ should be
I counted for D. E. Chisman and 81 for
r. P. Dana. There are also other err
I rors against D. E. Chisman but this
! result makes it unnecessary to mention
: them. Adding the votes improperly
: rejected because Of erasures would
give D. E. Chisman S,619 votes and r.
: P. Dana, 1916 votes, thus giving CHS.
d man plurality over Dana Of three
votes and electing him. For this rea-
son l find that said D. e. Chisman is
duly elected treasurer Of Wapello
. county, Iowa, and that judgment
should be rendered in his favor in this
proceeding, and certificate of cleo
4 ton issued to him. S. P. Hartman.
f All 1oc Toys and Games &c.