Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-26
ELECTION # TERhAIH.
MANY RUMoRs OF RECOUNTs WHICH
ARE NOT LIKELY TO TAKE
PLACE.
COUNCIL ORGANIZES TODAY.
A Call for Meeting for That Purpose
Mt Two O'Clock Tais Afternoon.
Speculation on the Organization of
the Second Bra ncii-Candidatesf for
Office Within the Gift of Council.

The atmosphere yesterday was
freighted with rumors of reeounts.
Some of them were more or less
authentic, in the sense that defeated
Republicans were Wiling to assent ii
a likelihood of a reversal of results
could be shown to them. In no in
stance did the reports emanate from
Democratic sources, and in no instance
was it said that the demand for a re-
count would be made by Democrat.
Friends of the ring and the Office
holders themselves died hard They
chung to the recount hope with the ten
acity with which a drowning man
clings TO a straw.
Some of the reports Of irregularities
in the election were a'bsurdly sensa
>tional. To fair-minded persons, it ap-
peared peculiar that defeated Repub-
licans would demand rocoupts when
all the election machinery was con-
trolled by them. 1t would amount to
nothing more nor less than an i'm
parchment of their own appointees.
Some Of the judges in precincts men
toned in common rumor, took this
same view of the matter.
1t was said that in many precincts
sample ballots were voted, but no spe-
o;6o ;ofo.o,o+;op +o +t;c ofeoo+ 1,y.,-
given. 1t was also said that in one
precinct in the Fifth ward, a Republic
can judge opened ballot box at noon,
with the intention Of starting to
count the ballots, and it was claimed
that for this reason the vote Of thi.
precinct should be thrown out. Ali
the recount ideas were predicated
upon the theory that the slightest
technical irregularity will illegalize
a vote or number of votes On the
contrary, however it is the theory Of
the election law that ballots muc'5 be
counted when the intention Of the
voter is apparent.
The talk of rccount5 was hardly
more than rumor, even though friends
of defeated Republican candidates
were responsible for the stories. In
several instances men who had wager
cd money on defeated candidates. re-
fused to permit Stockholders to pay
over the money in their hands. on ac-
count of the rumoTs of recount. 1t
was said that friends of Ambrose Ha-
big felt that a recount would elect him
to Council in the Sixth ward 1t was
said that a recount in the Fifth ward
ge4oAht, elect Chas. Ahrens. Friends of
Chief Clemans appeared to think that
Ritz's majority might disappear if the
ballots were counted again. The
whole idea of recounting the votes is
so ridiculous that it is not taken Sc
riously by anybody, and in fact has
been abandoned under the advice OF
Republican leaders.
There is very interesting situa-
ton in the Second ward, in which
.Maurer was elected to Council. Dem
ocrats claim that he is resident of
Pleasant Valley and may decide to
protest against his qualifying as a
member of the Second Branch.
Last night call for meeting of
Council at two o'clock this afternoon
was signed by eight members. 1t is
called for the purpose of organizing.
Inasmuch as the Second Branch, on
the face of the returns. Is a tie, it is
anticipated that there will be consid
cradle trouble in organizing the body.
There was considerable talk yester-
day of caucuscs by the Democratic
and Republican Ccuncilmen, respect
lively Some Of the Democratic members
were favorable to q. caucus last night
but no time for the caucus was fixed.
There was talk among the Republi-
cans of caucus this evening. T3ere
may be caucus before Council meets
this afternoon.
F. NJ Milligan, of rne Second ward,
has announced himself as a candidate
for Precedent Others mentioned in
connection with the Office are H. W.
Fair, Robert Hazlett and R. B. Naylor.
Several nanes have also been sug-
gested upon the Democratic side.
Last night most OF the Republican
members Of Council assembled at the
City Hall, but they denied that any
call had been issued. By strange
coincidence they wandered to the pub
lie building, and felicitated one an
other upon their success. OF course,
other things were talked about Incl
dentally. There was a general canvass
of the situation with reference tc the
organization of Council to-day.
The Republicans appear to have
majority of four on joint ballot. They
will apportion the spoils of Office.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
z The blood is made pure and the 2