The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-11-09
ARTHUR s. FITz
NOW CHAIRMAN
Chairman Holden Leaves State
Returning Board.
SAYS He IS TOO BUSY To STAY
Governor Utter Accepts Resignation and
Appoints c. Clarence NaIOn Of West
sTIy 10 Vacancy on Board.
SAYS He IS TOO BUSY TO STAY

The announcement yesterday at tho
meeting OF the state returning board that
Chairman Frank T. Holden OF Republican
state central committee had relnquish-
ed his position at the head OF the board
which makes the official count Of the bal
lots caused "A considerable amount OF sur
prise TO the board as we'll as outside when
II was known.
Mr.. Holden whose home Is In Woon-
socket has been chairman Of the board
since 1902 and I'm declining reelection and
rendering his resignation 10 Governor ".
ter he said that pressure OF business and
corresponding lack OF time TO devote TO
the work were his reasons for giving up
the office
Arthur S Fritz OF Pascoag was then
elected chairman and Richard w. Jen-
nings, Governor Utter's secretary was
again rendered the position OF secretary.
Upon the latter devolves the case OF the
ballots and vast amount OF clerical
work but last year with all the president
ial vote and all. he kept the figuring up 10
the count and the printer was supplied
with tables as the count progressed.
Mr. Jennings has been secretary OF the
board since 1902 and I'm securing him for
this year the members feel that they have
llRnleneu tnelr laDOTS WOn0erfullN.
Governor Utter announced his intention
of filling the vacancy caused by Mr.
Holden's resignation by appointing c.
Clarence Maxon of Westerly as his sue
cessor
Mr. Maxson is retired business man
and a director OF the Washington Trust
company.
The state returning board with the
board OF canva ssers and registration OF
h CnifN Of ~ hn ct
afternoon for discussion OF the changes I'm
the method of counting required under
the new ballot law
Attorney-General Greenough and Assist
ant City Solicitor Baker Joined in the CON
ference. II was agreed that under the
provisions OF section 81 Of the secret bal
[ lot law. as amended at the last session OF
I the General Assembly, a more liberal
| Interpretation than formerly could be
given the intent OF the voter within GER
tain limits
Attorney General Greenough stated as
his opinion, and IL was concurred I'm by
the assistant city collector that when a
voter has placed a mark i'm one circle
IL must count as a vote for every candi-
date whose name Is in the column under
such circle, except those candidates whose
names have been properly cancelled. not
withstanding voter may have placed
cross mark against the right OF the name
OF n candidate in another column
The opinion was also expressed by the
Attorney General and agreed TO by the
assistant city solicitor, that to vote for
person by writing IN the appropriate
space, II was only necessary for the voter
10 write In the full name OF the person for
whom he desired 10 vote. and not neces-
sary 10 write the address of such candi-
date nor TO place cross TO the right OF
his name
II the address was written or cross
made such marks would be treated as
simply surplusage and would not destroy
the ballot
The board met at 2 o'clock this after
noon TO count the votes cast in the town
or North Smithheld. whore there is n tic
for senator on the face Of the wardens'
returns, so that In case the first count Is
verified new election may he called Az
ter North Smith1eld the votes of south
kingstown will be counted for the vote
for senator was very close