Omaha daily bee., 1906-04-10
CONTEST THE LATEST FAD
Recount of Primary Votes Demanded by
Elbourn, Broatch and stockham.
CANVASS BOARD CENTER OF EXCITEMENT
In Midst of Turmoil Fink SuppIants
HenninEs-COmitteem Getting
Certificates, Only Tangible
Result of Day.

The oficial canvassing board OF the city
primary returns was storm center all
day yesterday and quit late in the after
noon without completing the canvass and
with a bright outlook for more trouble to-
day.
Affidavits demanding recounts of the
votes on the offices of mayor and city clerk
were filed by w. ]. Broatch, w. H. Elbourn
and w. E. Stockham. Protests to doing
anything of the kind came from all quarters
and in the midst of the turmoil the ques-
ton was raised whether A. II. Hennings
had any right to be member of the board
as city treasurer City Attorney Breen
ruled that County Treasurer Fink had be-
come city treasurer by virtue of the char
ter and the late supreme court decision on
the subject. WhereupOn Mr. Hennings va
Gated and Mr. Fink took his place on the
board at $3.50 o'clock. He had not Wit
messed any Of the verihcation OF the DOLL
book returns and was considerably at sea.
The board was surrounded by a mob Of
something like seventy-fve politicians and
lawyers and Mr. Fink begged for time.
About o'clock the city attorney said he
wanted until morning to form an opinion
as to whether the afiants had to specify
where they thought the count was wrong
and the board adjourned until this morn
ing at o'clock.
Certificates to Committee.
Documents piled up on the board like
leaves under an oak tree in the fall and
the only tangible thing accomplished dur
ing the day was the certihcation to the
election OF the new city committeeman in
order that that body might be called to-
gether and organize for the campaign. This
was done late in the day
The only real contest projected was that
between Elbourn and Greenleaf for the re-
publican nomination for city clerk. The
returns show Greenleaf the Fontanelle can
didate 1877 votes to the good. Despite FL
bourn's protest he would not start a con-
test, this is precisely what happened Sat
urday afternoon he said he heard a number
Of reports that votes cast for him had not
been counted in for him in certain pre-
cincts in the First, Second and Tenth
wards. Early Monday morning W. r.
Stoekham. who was the low man in the
three-cornered clerkship contest, filed an
affidavit. declaring his belief there was err
ror in the counting Of the ballots for the
office and demanding a recount on the
strength OF this declaration in the language
OF the Dodge primary law which provides
that In case of tie vote or the filing oftan
afidavit by an interested candidate de-
handing a recount and expressing a belief
OF fraud or error. the ballots shall be
checked up and the result decreed final.
BrOatch Wants 20 settle Bets.
W. J. Broatch. who ran third in the re-
publican mayoraIty contest according 10 the
oficial figures. Monday afternoon filed
demand for a recount OF the ballots cast
on the once Of mayor. alleging error in the
returns.
1t was stated for Mr.. Broatch that he had
no idea Of precipitating a contest on the re-
suit, but desired to have the recount made
! for his own satisfaction and to
benefit persons who bet large sums
Of money a. 20 whether he would be