The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-09-25

and Vote PoIled Was Very Much
Lighter Than on NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
crepancy in the Vote OF the Fourth
Ward. TWcnty-ninc More Votes in
the Sherin's Box Than There should
Portested and Executive Committee
Will Investigate Matter Today.
The second primary is over and
Cowan received a majority of 373 over
Biddle and Haar 173 over Everett
There was a discrepancy in the vote in
the Fourth ward, % more ballots being
in the ballot box, Or hat, than had been
cast. This was only as 10 the vote for
sheriff. Notice was given last night
by Mr.. WoOdus kellum, attorney for
Mr.. Biddle, that he would contest the
Fourth ward vote and the hearing is
to take place before the executive COM
| mittee this morning at 1890 O'Clock in
the court room and the chairman OF
the executive committee has requested
that all members of the executive COM
mitttee be present. 1t is not known
| what other il any ward or township
will be contested but it is understood
that there was a discrepancy in the
DelgadO vote, some twenty more votes
having been counted tnan were cast.
Crowd in the court room last night
was very much larger than on Wednes
day night for then it was a foregone
conclusion that a second primary
would have to be held to vote on sherltt
and also register of deeds. All along
the greatest interest has been taken in
the contest for sheriff and last night
settled 1t.
AS during the previous primary quiet
prevailed all over the city yesterday
and there was no disorder last night.
The COwan men were jubilant and the
Biddl men very quiet. They seemed
to be sorely disappointed although IN
dications all day yesterday showed that
Cowan was in the lead and the bettlnS
was not on who would Win but the size
of Cowan's majority. 1t was under
stood that an even bet or soo0 was
made that Cowan wouId get not less
than 800 majority and some pet thdt
his majority would be as high as oOO.
If the vote as to sheriff in the fourth
ward is thrown out 1t VIII sui give
Cowan a majority of zoo so as Tar as
he actual result is concerned II "oulu
not be affected in the least ana IL tne
entire vote was thrown III II "ouio
make HAIRS majority 243, but lnere i
no probability whatever of HAIRS anc
/ Everett's vote being thrown OUT.
The method Of counting the votes II
the Fourth ward was very mucn OUT Q
t the ordinary. Il is customary 70 ldA'
q the ballots out of the box at the tm'
: and count they but it IS learned that II
Q the Fourth ward the votes were ID
taken out and placed in four hats, IN
g Covan and Biddle votes first haVln'
Y been separated and it TOOK two mats I
e hold each. AS to how the ballots go
2, in the hat, or they may nave peeh II
3 the box before being put into the haC
.e no one knows but several ways dl
# mentioned by which it could nave pee
done One man in speaking OF III
le matter said it was the easiest ming /
% tho world after learning that the pa
% lots we're to be put in a nat 10 stun
/ ,nmher of votes under the edge OF ID
&c hand and manage to get that hat o %
d sno,t when one was desired. Anotht
N thought that they could nave Dee
n n,acod in the ballot box when tran!
S, ferred to the hats and still anolnt
of +bo,ght it very probable that as u
n hot was being passed around some or
Id threw in a handful OF ballots
All PASSED off quietly last night III
-, Cantain deRosset lhs
thare was a discrepancy III the 'o'
Con+ain deRosset said for the first I'M
II. 80 h;s axnerience some r~ascalty ia
d. noon nractised in the Fourth wI
80, qAe votes were received n III
94e +allied with the private oCIl ne
- hv several gentlemen presen- out III
h r-bo, the number Of votes were coun
ed "A for sheriff there were 313, a dlne
no MOO Of % votes which should nave II
- hon in the box. Captain deRo%s
sa;d Wow this originated no o.
81 Knows. but we have very strong Gu
p~icions-" ma,
raj Won there were in the room IN aoHl.'
m the poll holders. The informant
al nroducad was that Charles Keen repF
son-ed Riddle ]. Henry Hewlett, repI
sented Biddle. John D. Bellany: Jr' }
r~anresenting Cowan. 7. 9 Ramst
Try uho had the written authority as repl
a.,+.riva of Everett. VI. Bellamy, }
the -an~~esan-inr John Haar, ". J. b
n ,amv. representing Cowan and o'eph
ar. Creenlish also representing EVeret-
lc Mt William J Bethany mace a sh'
s. talk in regard 10 the mater ou1 *
Tas - u-on,d not make a protest as rep
o+ya of Z p Cowan against recelVl
- vo-a from he Fort wa-d. :
y u-ood,s Ee1,um said as he reDre@e
- ,+;va of ". II Riddle he would p
- test the reception OF the vote.
- .+otad further that Mr.. Keen was pr
2 ant as the representative % Mt Ever
ond NOT Mr. Riddle. that it was dur