The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-05
ONE LONE
BALLOT MADE
TROUBLE
Trouble In North Providence
Over Vote for Representatives
In That Town.

A tiny little cross. slightly out of place
on a ballot cast In the North Providence
election is responsible for a state OF ex-
element more OF less suppressed In that
town as upon the effectiveness OF mat
ballot rests the election OF Or. John 3.
corbett. the Republican candidate for
representative
II appears that Tuesday night the bal
lots for senator and representative were
counted and showed DR. Coroett to be
ahead by vote OF 22s TO 22e. SO close was
this. that q recount was asked for and ac-
corded which made the figures 22s to 22s,
with the alleged doubtful ballot, In addi-
ton 10 the 229 for Or. Corbett-
II was found that a ticket, bearing this
norton OF the days vote. was IN the
ballot box. which had been used Tor bal
lots for town officer, and the man VINO
put II there by mistake said II would be
found 10 be for Mr.. Reiner. The legisia-
tive ticket was then laid aside until the
others should be counted and, when the
ticket on state issues was later found
among the town ballots. II was put. with
its fellows, and counted laten The vote
was gound TO he for Reiner and Ogden,
putting MIR. Reiner upon even terms with
DR. Corbett. in case the doubtful ballot
was found TO be defective. Mr. Gushing
went 10 the home of Town Solicitor James
G. Collins. Jr.. and secured the attendance
OF that official ~ the polling place. and
considerable trouble was taken 10 reach
a decision upon the matter OF the Legality
of the ballot in question.
Mr.. Gushing claimed the ballot was le-
gally marked and Town Solicitor Collins.
on careful consideration. was inclined to
give his opinion I'm favor OF counting the
ballot for Mr.. Corbett
This was not denied by the moderator.
who said. however, that Mr.. Collins after
ward came 10 him and said that he did
not wish 10 take all the responsibility for
advice In the premises, which might not
prove correct The Democrats claimed
that they were entitled TO the benefit OF
the town solicitors opinion and that the
vote should be counted for their man.
Mr.. Naylor says that the disputed bal
lot was among the others. as sealed up.
Certain or the Democrats. however.
vigorously avow their conviction that the
ballot was not In the bundle. but that
II had been taken out. and Senator elect
Arthur Cushing, II Is stated. that the
moderator had been seen TO handle the
ballots in question after they had been
counted. except the one ballot In ques-
tion and Mr.. Cushing fixed the time OF
the alleged handling OF the ballots at 7.15
yesterday morning. Moderator Naylor
said that he had only touched a ballot
that was as yet uncut. and also said at
that time and all through the wrapgle
about the counting OF the ballots that
the dputed ballot was with It's fellows
throughout. and was sealed up in manner
and form as were the others.
The ballots In which so much interest
centres were deposited with the state re-
turning board yesterday by Town Clerk
Thomas III. Angel. who was accompanied
by Or. John n. Corbett whose election
to the house depends particularly on the
ballot upon which Is marked a cross
slightly out OF position.
The matter rs being discussed on all
sides In the town and some outspoken
comments are being made by both sides