Arizona republican., 1906-12-14
MINER LEADS IN RECOUNT
IA Majority of Two Over
 Babbitt
Twenty More Small Pre- cincts Which May Be Dis posed of Today.

The fortunes Of R. F. Miner and Dor
 c. Rabbit contestant and contested for the office of county treasurer. fluc-
 tuated considerably yesterday in the second day of the recount. At noon
 Rabbit, who had begun the day with
 a lead of one vote, had increased it to
 four, but very shortly after that he fell
 behind Miner, who at the close of the day had a majority of two votes.
 Though there are twenty more pre-
 cincts to be counted they are all small
 so that there is very little probability
 that the lead of Miner will be reduced. The contest will probably come to an
 end today.
 II When the recount was adjourned the
 night before. all of three Phoenix pre-
 cincts had been counted except ono vote. in the third ward concerning
 which the court announced that a de cision would be rendered in the morn-
 ing Miner had made a gain of one vote A favorable decision as to the third ward ballot would leave the re- count so far. a tie. But the decision was unfavorable and Rabbit began the day one vote ahead.
 | The recount of the fourth ward gave him two more and still another gain of ! a vote in Murphy precinct seemed to ' have given him a safe-markin. But the unexpected was found in Tempe pre- oinct where the returns gave Miner ] 1S3 votes when he should have had on the showing. 1S9. That fact was SO ap- ! parent that there was no room for ar gument and Miner stood Just where he ! did before the offical count two ahead. It was thought that he might make a gain in the Mesa precinct. That suppo- siJion was based only on the fact that that was Rabbits home precinct, where he might have been given the ! best Of the doubtful ballots. But the recount made no change in the Mesa returns. Other precincts counted in the course of the day were Alma. Lehi, Granite Reef, Isaacs, Creighton and Heard's Ranch.
 The disputed third ward ballot which was rejected on the ground that il bore a distinguishing mark. turned out to have been cast by Attorney Richard son. The fact that it coAld be identi- fled as the ballot of any particular voter was sufficient ground for tho holding of it to bear a distinguishing mark Inspector Dunlap of the third ward was questioned regarding it. He said that Mir Richardson returned from the Sooth with the ballot saying that he had spoiled it and wanted an other. The inspector took it and huns it on the hook for spoiled ballots. Mi Richardson however. on second though' said he believed it would do. and re moving it from the hook, handed it to the inspector. who put it into the box. The distinguishing mark was the big hole in 1t, made by the hook.
 There is already conjecture as to the course of Babbitt if the recount should be against him. He holds his certificate of election from the board of sUperN isors. Should Miner appear to have a majority of the votes the court will declare the certificate void and order a certificate to be issued to Miner. Rabbit may appeal from this order and the case may afterward be decided by the supreme court. If then the case should be decided against him he will have to refund to the coun- ty treasury the salary he received while the case was pending and this salary will be paid to Miner.