The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-04-05
EDIT o RIAL.
THE SECOND WARD MIDDLE.

THE SECOND WARD MIDDLE.
In the city election the judges in
the Second ward have made return
that jill. Jones was elected alderman
by majority of one vote. Several
ballots were thrown out by the Judges
and there is an honest difference of
opinion as to whether these ballots
should have been counted. We do not
think that this difference of opinion
should occasion any hard feelings on
the part of any one. 1t is only just
to presume that neither Democrats or
Republicans desire to obtain or to re-
tain any unfair advantage.
This being the case we can see no
possible objection to a friendly con-
test and a recount of the ballots. The
law provides that in case Of a contest
each candidate may select a repre-
sentative and that the Mayor shall
act as the third member of the contest
board. In this instance the democrats
would have majority on the contest
board, but for our part we are will
ing to abide by the decision they
might render, for we cannot think
that in so small matter at least,
any partisan bias would influence their
judgment. If Mr.. Jones was elected
alderman from the second ward, we
want to know it. We want to give
him full credit for his victory. We
want him to be in position to look
any man in the face and declare that
he received majority of the legal
votes cast at the election. Mr.. Jones
ought to want this too. For the sake
Of his own self-respect, he should not
wish to be the minority alderman
from his ward. Just SO sure as the
many men in the ward and throughout
the city who will always believe, and
honestly believe that Mr.. Jones was
not elected to the position he holds.
The Review agrees with those who
feel that the game is not worth the
candle of District court trial, or of
long drawn out appeal. We cannot
see however, what great expense there
need be In taking the matter before
contest board, nor why any ill feel
ing should be engendered. In fact
we believe such recount would for
ever allay the ill feeling and that
after the contest the defeated party
would be much more ready to forgive
and to forget than the as matter stands
at present when the friends of both
think that they were rightfully
elected.
There has been some criticism Of
Mr.. Jones because he acted as judge
and helped to make the decision which
counted him into Office. The criti-
cism is perfectly just, except that il
should not be made to apply to Mr.
Jones personally. 1t has been the
custom here for years. Other officers
have done the same thing. 1t SHOULD
be prohibited by law, and man with
the highest sense of delicacy woul,
not do it. But it has been customar,
and Mr.. Jones should not be single,
out for criticism.
The Review hopes that Mr.. Sibber
will insist on recount and it ais
hopes that Mr.. Jones will second hi
request, not only that he may hol
the office without criticism if he wa
elected, but also that the criticism
concerning his acting as judge 0
the election shall be abated. AS
friend of both parties, DESTROYS Q
seeing fair play only, and anxious nc
to lnciue illfeeling, but to promot
good feeling, the Review urges that
recount be made. Unless Mr.. Jone
and his democratic friends are anX
icus to take advantage, unless the
do wish something that is not morall
theirs, nor as we believe, legal
theirs, they will cheerfully agree to
recount.
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