The Washington times., 1905-08-07
Ballot Box Stufflng. I'm
fair Methods, and
Use of Money.
LEES ELECTION CERTAIN
State Committees Meeting
Tomorrow Will Open Con-
test of Great Import.

Montgomery county primary returns
are taken up for canyassing by the
State committee tomorrow. there Will
be opened a contest of the largest sig
nifcance in the politics OF the county.
Charges of ballot box stuffng, of un-
fair methods, and of Irregularities in
conduct of the primary on Saturday. are
made in different parts OF the county
against the supporters OF Senator Jones.
Who controlled the organiza ton,
The case Of Damascus district is the
most serious. and there is a general de-
mand that the stuffed vote be thrown
out and a new primary ordered in the
precinct under proper auspices. Dr.. b.
F. Lansdale, a leading citizen. and u Lee
supporter, declares that Governor War
field received only 260 votes IN the pre-
cinct. while on Saturday 519 were ac-
cepted at the ballot box al being the
votes of Democrats.
What Returns Do.
IF the returns are accepted as they
stand it viii defeat Cummings and nomI-
nate Scholl; il will defeat J. L. Allnut
and nominate John c. Clarke for COM
missioner of the First district. and II
will defeat Joseph F White and nomi-
nate W. ], Lewis in the second district.
White having been credited with only
eleveu and Lewis with as votes in the
district. lRE
Discussing the remarkable vote re
ported from Damascus. DIT. Lansdale
declares that, though he knows every
body in the district, he noted no strange
faces on Saturday. He did note, how
ever. that one or the judges 5uggied the
ballots as they Were handed him 70 be
placed in the box and some Of the bal
tots had to be squeezed to ger them In
side. as If they had been folded over a
bunch of bogus ones that were being
stuffed In.
simply Insist that they know Of no
Irregularities and If there has been any
wrongdoing they have had nothing 10
do with it.
Additional Charges.
At Gaithersburg there was another
charge Of irregular methods against the
Jones organization. The election was
held in the upper story OF a three-story
building. and as voters passed up on
their way to the polling room they were
brought under the guns OF the strongest
Jones workers. and in some cases. 1t is
alleged, money was used. The Lee peo-
pie became incensed and started g row.
pistol was drawn and one arrest was
made.
The alleged irregularities in Damascus
do not affect the nOmina ton of Mr., Lee
inasmuch as he has between 500 and
500 ma 1Ority, after giving his competitor
the benefit of all Of the votes counted
for him in that district.
Every effort was made. the Lee people
say 10 insure fairness 10 which end IN
structiOns were given his leaders IN each
district who were provided with certt-
fed lists Of registered voters and persons
who had declared their intentions &c
become citizens under the act of March
e 1902
The registered white voters in Damas-
Gus are only about 432, OF whom about
2S0 are regarded as Democrats under Ihe
most liberal construction OF these 2S0
/ such as have removed from the district
or might not be present in person. cOulC
not be permitted TO vote, according tC
the rules Of the primaries in force IL
| Montgomery county.
Entitled to Vote.
| The only unregistered persons who
| would be entitled under these rules tC
/ vote would be young men becoming ot
| age prior TO the election day In NoYen-
! Der next; any possible unregistered
| Democrats in the district who were re-
4 siding in the State at the date OF the
! act OF March %. 1902. and who have not
/ since removed therefrom and sucl
| new resident Democrats as filed theil
! declaration to become citizens one yeal
! preceding the election day.
Of course. any voter registered else
where, but actually residing In Damas
! Gus district, could vote under the pri
/ mary plan
| The primary judges in the county
/ We're nominated by the district com
/ Initteemen Of each district. Four o.
/ these district committeeman were sup
/ porters OF Mr., Lee and nine his Oppo-
| nent's.
/ In the Damascus district the commit
/ Jones and all the judges were from
/ among his supporters, being William II
/ Darby Charles L. Watkins and GeOrgt
! W. Burns This was an exception. how
! ever. as q minority representation was
/ given 10 Lee by committeeman In ever,
other district.
Candidates Claim.
II is contended on the part of JOSEPH
z White, of Clarksburg, and Jacot
/ AHnutt, OF LaytonsviIe. that but fol
/ the Irregularities Ia Damascus they
would each have been nominated fol
( county commissioners for their respec
/ tive collection districts. On the unof
/ fetal returns William J. Lewis and JOIN
/ O. White are the successful candidates
! in these two districts, Mr., Lewis re
/ ceiying IN Damascus AT votes and Mr.
! Clark 3.6 Votes
/ The conflict on the legislative ticke
would seem TO be between Andrew
. Cummings and Lonis B, Scholl, tn
/ former receiving l02 and the latter 40
! from Damascus Mr. Cummings Woul
! be about nifty ahead Of Mr.. SCholl Nj
! SchOll. however. resides in the adJoin
/ Ing district of Barnesville. and 1t wa
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