The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1904-03-23
ELECTION CONTEST ENDED.
Committee Decides That Hud-
son is Property Manager.
Bitter Dispute among students Settled
COMMITTEE Reviewed Evidence and
Heard ArgumeBts-The Charges and
Denials = Statement in Regard 10
Hudson.

HuUson.
Closely following the Supreme
Court opinion in the great merger
case, comes the decision OF the com
mittee in great contested election
case of Thurmond VS.. Hudson. The
committee got together Thursday
afternoon, reviewed the evidence,
heard the arguments of counsel and
agreed on verdict.
The following note was sent to the
parties interested, after the com
mittee had consulted over the ques-
ton:
Morgantown West Virginia,
March Is, 1904
The undersigned committee to
whom was referred the matter OF de-
termining whether Mr, J. p Hudson
or Mr. w. r. Thurmond was elected
Property Manager OF the West Viz
ginia University Athletic Associa-
ton at the election held by that
body, February 81, 1904, respectfully
submit the following finding.
/ On the "face Of the returns"
as reported by the tellers, Mr. Hud-
son received 161 votes and Mr..
Thurmond 159 votes, majority OF
2 for Mr.. Hudson.
Ii 1t appears from evidence sub
mittcd that there was some ifregu-
larity in the voting of several
proxies, but such evidence is not of
sufficient positiveness and certainty
to warrant reversal Of the result.
1t is, therefore, our opinion that the
result of the election as reported by
the tellcrs should stand, and that
Mr.. Hudson is entitled to the office.
Respectfully submitted,
j. NJ. BURNS
J'Hos Il HoDGEs
A }. HARE
Committee
This brings to close the most
bitterly contested election in which
the students of the University ever
indulged and ends an incident which
arrayed two factions Of the Associa-
ton, one against the other,in fight
that would have been worthy OF the
parties in corrupt munii ipal eiec-
ton. Relh factions agreed before
Submitting their differences to the
committee to stand by the decision,
and this they will do
The committee had to consider the
formal petition of Walter fhurmond
who charged that fraud bad been
prsetieed in defeating him, and
asked that the election be set aside
His charges were supported by the
sflidayits Of Ed Ricnards, who testi
fed that Ira Smith had voted the
proxy OF Joe Ludes without Ludes'
authority; the affidavit OF Tom Hay
mond, charging that Kid Walton
voted the proxies Of Mutton and
Want ithout their authority; the
AFFIDAVIT Of jim Gronniger, charging
that w. 4 Scott cast the forged
proxy OF Williams and the affidavit
of B. F Stout showing telegram
from Ludes stating that he bad given
no nne authority to cast his proxy.
La answering this, the following
afIld wits were filed; Ira Smith, set
ting forth that be did not W te the
proxy al Joe Luies, but had it IN
his possession, J X. Buchanan. teller,
affirm 'ng that the proxy Of Ludes
was not cast; Kid Walton, that
he did not vote the proxy of Nnltoi !
and W. + Scott, that be votee viii
lisms Iroxy without express author.
ity but cast it for Haymoud, hu =
mord, and Gronniger.
IIaymond's affidavit was not posi-
i've, but founded on information and
d lief that it was impos>i.'l. fpi
Waito TO baveNulion's ana Wiauts
y oxies. a. 10 one knew the
formers address but } hn Gore
The other charges wete positive, as
were all the dtnia's
The committee was called together
yesterday afternoon aud hard rep
reseutati,cs Of the two facliona pre-
sent Their claims. Attorney Frank
Corbin had been employed by Thu :
mopd's friends to represent him, and
Guy Prit hard answered for Hud-
son.
The Nolloaing statement has been
issued by authority of those who
circulated the reports referred to.
TO whom it may concern:
Upon investigation it has been
found that the statements circulated
TO the effect that J. z. Hudson was
expelled from Purdue University,
were falsc, MIR. Hudson having In
his possession a certificate ofhonora-
Bile dismissal, and further, that other
attacks made. in the heat of the
election contest, derogatorv to his
former habits, practices and char
acter are without foundation and
are hereby retracted