Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-13
PROTEST ENTERED
independent Voters Club Acts
on Coot e-McCaskTin
Contest.
WILL HOLD A MASS MEETING
IiIirois Theatre is Engaged For Next
Saturday Evening - Reso-
Iutions Adopted.

At a meeting of the Independent
Voters club held Saturday evening to
consider the advisability of calling d
meeting of the citizens and independ-
ent voters of the Thirty-third senator
|, al district to protest against the Tul-
ing of Attorney General Stead in re-
gard TO the marking of the ballots at
the last regular election relative to the
election of George w. McCaskrin to
the state legislature it was decided
TO rent the Illinois theatre next Satur-
day night for the purpose of hearing
the facts in relation to the election
contested by George \. Cooke. the
democratic nominee. The following
resolutions were adopted:
Whereas, In accordance with the
statutes governing the duties of the
county clerk. where it is expressly pro-
vided that he shall submit to the
| judges of each and every voting pre-
cinct in the county printed instructions
to be tackled up for public inspection
| for the benefit of the voters; such
instructions were distributed and were
tackled up at every polling place; and.
Whereas, The voters of Rock Island.
Mercer and Henderson counties, in
compliance with and pursuant to such
instructions governing the marking
of the ballot for the election of repre-.
sentatives. placed a cross in the square
| opposite the name of George w. Nc
| Caskrin in order that such cross
would indicate their intention to cast
three cotes for George w. McCaskrin
and would give the said Independent
candidate three votes; therefore be it
Three Votes Intended.
Resolved, That such other and fur
Their steps be taken by the committee
appointed at this meeting. consisting
of seven members as will fully advise
the election committee of the genera
assembly whose duty it is TO pass ypOn
the contested election before them Of
Cooke VS.. McCaskrin. and to fnlly in
form the general assembly of the in
tent of the voters of the Thirty-thiTd
district to give three voters to said
McCaskrin. Having been advised by
Attorney General Hamlin. that if they
placed their cross in the square pre-
ceding the name of the Independent
candidate. that IL would count three
votes, which is in conformity with the
statutes of the state of Illinois, and
that we use this method to show how
we voted and to advise the public that
we are not satisfied to have our will
thwarted by subsequent opinion from
the same Office. 1t amounts to the dis
reimbursement of the voters; and this
protest will advise the public that sub
seQuent rulings of this character are
in their. nature retroactive and will
work great injustice as a precedent
in the future.
The parquet will be reserved for the
is extended to them to hear and con
slider the proposition that is to be
placed before the public for considera-
tion. Outsiders will be invited to par
| ticipate, and every effort will be made
to condemn any procedure that will
Interfere with the right of franchise of
the people.
| CHARLES OHLMES, President.
JOSEPH CHARLES,
FRED TUBBS.
y. BORDEAU.
e STROEHLE.
WILLIAM BRANGAN.
Committee.