The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-02


The board Of canvassers and registra-
tion resumed at 10 o'clock this morning
its hearing on the petition OF George e.
Brady of the Moran-Dorney ticket 10
have the First ward caucus declared null
and void.
Mr. Brady, who was reported TO have
lost interest in the proceedings, did not
appear until lO:4o after two witnesses had
testified
Officer William Sheath and Thomas f.
Cooney agreed that there was no rush to-
ward that part OF the platform where the
voting lists were, the rush being toward
the centre, where the ballot box was.
officer Sheath was positive that no one
from the floor took the Sixth district list,
as only one man from the floor had tried
TO get up on the platform and the offi-
Ger himself pushed this man back Officer
Sheath also declared that no one was
pushed off the platform during the rush.
Thomas A. Cooney prefaced his testi-
mony by reciting the circumstances under
which he entered the caucus rooms and
was stopped by Thomas A. West who
said he objected to a recital Of the history
OF the state from the time OF Roger Will
Lams.
The witness was permitted TO preface
flashes of humor during this testimony.
like this: ...-..'.
Mr.. west-so you took it all in by in
tuition?
Mr.. Cooney-No. took 1t in by obser-
walton. Laughter) .......-.
Mr. West-I0idn't you know the warden
was the supreme authority in that ward
room?
Mr.. Cooney-Yes, within certain limita-
tlons. He had to conform to the law.
Charles NJ. Kelley. who had resided in
the ward over 40 years testified that he
took the names of the voters as they were
checked and put them In book, which
was introduced in evidence. He was pos
tive he never missed n name. This book
never left his hands from the time the
polls opened until about $40, at which
time he transferred IL TO Hon. Addison
y. Munroe 10 give witness an opportunity
TO vote. While witness was voting, Mr..
Munroe was checking the names of vot-
ers. Witness sole object in taking the
names was to see that there was a
square deal"
Mr.. Munroe. who followed. testified to
writing all the names I'm the book from
the time Mr. Kelley stopped until the
time the polls closed. The book contained
49l names which corresponds exactly
with the votes as counted by the war
den.
Capt John A Murray. the next wit
ness, commanded the police I'm the ward
room.
Capt Murray told in detail OF the ar
rangements he made for preserving order
during the caucus and recited the In
structions he gave 10 the officers and
telling where he took his stand. which
was just in front OF the ballot box
II was keeping my eye on the ballot
box the best | could from the floor" he
stert-- a1ly Il frnF
the opening OF the ballot box amid cries
Of Watch a." Look out for ballot box
stuffing!' etc; and tho warden said Let
the captain watch t.
"He took his arm from across it's mouth
and I put my hand on the box. The
crowd was surging. but the men had in
line kept them back
Ibid anybody interfere with the ballot
box?"
mo. sir"
Did you refuse to obey any commands
OF the warden?'
He gave me only two, I'm relation TO
Mr. Thurston and Mr. Waterman; and
| obeyed them.
Later. the warden said: III place
this ballot box I'm the charge OF Capt.
Murray and some one from the crowd
said, We are satisfied
Some time afterward he said, I'm go
ing TO lock this ballot box. and want
YOU 20 take II 20 the city hall
IF they had wanted 10 count the bal
lots would have helped. II II took every
policeman | had"
BY Mr.. West--You say the ballots would
have been counted II II took all the po-
lice. OF course. they could have had the
army and navy
Capt. Murray-They wouldn't have been
needed down there. Applause from the
spectators)
Capt Murray evaded all questions tend.
ing TO extract his opinion OF the conduct
OF affairs.
Witness said the warden told him e
| look out for the tin box and the cartor
containing the check lists
Capt. Murray. when asked by MIR. Wes
II he said TO Mr.. Carroll that Il looked a,
J II he would have 20 trim" some OF them
replied that he did not recall such a state
ment. though he might have said so ant
ne would have done IL II II became neces
sary.
In redirect examination witness stateC
1 that he did not know the check list wal