The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-01
dsrson was better qualified to fIil the

dsrson was better qualified to i'll the
 place.
 MT. Anderson asked to bc excussd
 and MT. shackleford was elected chair
 man by unanimous vote of the com
 mittse.
 The contest, filed some time ago by
 !. B. Mastin. brother Of Captain Mas
 tin, was not the first matter that came
 under discussion. The first important question was kindled into existence when document. filed with the com
 mittee, alleging that the vote of the Democratic primary of March 1s had not been legally canvassed and praying
 that the canvass be made according to law.
 Arguing to the committee counsel for Captain Mastin said that the matter was one of the most important affairs
 that had ever come before the com
 naittee. He had heard some members
 of the committee say they were willing
 to go into the ballot boxes and see who
 was elected. but they did not know if 1t could be done legally. Reasoning from a standpoint of law. he said that the committee, itself. had not canvass Cd the returns of the primary according to the general election law. He open ed large dictionary and read the defi- hilton of the word .'canvass" as mean ing ito examine searchingiy." He then entered upon the legal definition or the word.
 Counsel for Mir. Maner. took the poe sition that the real reason for the fil- ing of the petition for the re-canvas- sing of the vote was that the result miEht be declared again. thus giving renewed opportunity within five days thereafter for the filing of additional and more adequate papers of contest. The original paper, which purported to be a contest, was filed by T. B. Mas tin. and the committee had been called together to hear this matter entirely. He said 1t was asked that the com mittee go over it's work again. The result would be the same. In regard to the tabulated statement, practically every member of the committee had seen 1t and carefully noted the addi- tions which 1t contained. Besides the newspapers contained the vote of the primary in the beats. The members had seen all this and when they voted on the former resolution declaring Mir. Maner the nominee. they did so intel ligentfy.
 All we want Is a fair count. All he wants is fair sount. We don't wish to aIlese fraud" said the attorney for Captain Mastin, although 1t seems that fraud is the gist of Mir. Maner's 8 grounds for dismissal. Let's count these votes again so that 1t shall be known whom the electors of this coun- ty desire to represent them in the Leg islature from this county"
 w T. Sefbels, a member of the com mittee, asked if it was claimed that the court was irregular or wrong. IF such claims had not been made ne couldn't see any good that could be accomplished. If the claim would be made, none would be more willing than he for a recount. The statement then came from MT. Maner's counsel that he didn't believe there was a single man who would swear that Captain Mastin was de- prived of a single vote.
 The words had hardly been uttered. when a figure arose from rear seat: The man was Charles Graves, voter or Beat 9, who said in emphatic language that he would be willing to take such an oath.
 The lawyer asked Mir. Graves what heat he had reference to, and in re- ply Mir. Graves said that It was Tn Beat 3.
 The attorney for Mr. Maner then said that, in his statement, he had re- ferred to Beat 14 as he had thought that it was there the contest lay. MT. GfANes n@io tac W0N.A - statement later in the session but an adiournment was taken before ke could ~et the floor. It is said that he was deprived of casting ballot in Heat because there had been some confusion about names and 1t was thought that he had already voted. 4 e. P. Anderson. a member of the committee. said 1t was his. opinion thhs the committee did canvass the returns and they should stand by their former action. He moved that the petition of