The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-14
Continued from Page One.)
THE FORMAL DEMAND.

Mr.. Cannon made the following state
ment 10 the board: "In behalf OF the
Democratic party and Gov. Higgins and
Mr. Ssson, the candidate for lieutenant
governor. would request the board that
We be allowed 10 have two or three men,
and the other political party, the same
privilege, to guard the vaults i'm which the
ballots are kept during the day and night
when the board is not I'm session.
Il do this without intending 10 cast any
aspersions upon any member of the board
or Its secretary. or TO impugn the honesty
OF any person. 1t is for the purpose OF al
laying any feeling OF mistrust which
seems TO be held by a number OF people.
Mind you, | don't charge that everything
is not to use the street expression. upon
the level but in behalf OF the governor
and Mr.. Sisson, l do make this formal
request.
las to the expense. l am given TO un-
destand by the governor that he will
bear the cost OF the watchers OF both par
ties, being able to do this out Of one of
the funds at his disposal. i should like TO
have ruling on this by the board"
Maj. Charles III. Handy OF the board
said that the doors OF the vault were seal
cd every night by the secretary and there
had been no question heretofore of the
secretary or anyone else tampering with
them.
The discussion that ensued was in part
as follows:
Mr. Jennings-I request that the board
accede TO the request without further dis
cussion.
Senator Stiness OF Warwick Republican
watcher for the state central committee-I
have the utmost confidence In the board
and its secretary. The state house is un-
der the control of commission. III there
is any dstrust of the secretary OF this
board the state house commission can
place it's own seal upon the vault. No one
can tamper with these ballots unless he
has access TO the vault disclaim for the
Republicans any desire for watch, even
IL you had 30"
Frederick Jones. a watcher for Mr.. Wa
trous-If a watch is to be set member OF
the board should also be present.
Mai. Handy-If the representatives of
the Democratic party saw the seals upon
the door the last thing at night and the
first thing I'm the morning would not that
satisfy them?
Mr. Cannon-Personaly, yes: but as I
am preferring this request for the govern
or and Mr.. Sisson, l cannot answer for
them.
Mr. Lawton-Are there any persons who
think this count is not straight?
PLAY TO GALLERIES"
Chairman Fitz-Well, ! will say this
about II. To me 1t seems like play TO
.the galleries. coming as it does at this
late date. It's politics pure and simple.
Mr.. Cannon-No you're not right about
that and you're not fair in saying that,
Mr. Chairman. 1t is not right TO insinu-
ate that the governor would make re-
Gen. StinossrThen, IL it's not right for
the board to defend itself, Id like 10
know what is right. How else can you
construe this plan than renecton upon
the board and its members?
Mr. Cannon--I insist gentlemen, that
We arc casting no insinuations.
Mr. Lawton--There's an inslnuauon
there and you can't make IT anything
else II things have come TO pass when
the board has TO put guard over ne
secretary when he alone ,i, mas ,ban .ne Assy ssy
it's time to get rid Of the secretary. But
there's no cause for doing IL yet awhile:
for no one yet can show a single PIE PEI boot ~
esty of this board. Not even seal mas
been found harmed in the recount oi an
these packages OF ballots. IL hot ths
boards business or its fault II lot OF
peopIe don't understand the methods Dy
which these ballots are counted or taken
care of. - -, -,
bren here and seen IT, l might think SO
myself There have been peculiar tea-
lures about the results in close contests.
Gen. Stness--This request Us reheS-
lion ON the secretary of this board,
whether YOU call II so or not | would
like TO know. Mr.. Cannon, II the Demo
Gratis have not Dttn
count by three TO one OF the Repuph-
Mr. Cannon-The necessity for so many
Democratic watchers lies In tne iaSt .ilae .tt
the Republicans are In control or 'hls
Mr. Mr.. stiness-If the Democrats were IN
control. / suppose they would not heeu
Wr Csnnon-Not by Democrats.
THINKS 1T NECESSARY.
Mr. Stiness-D you think II is hecesSdly
stationed here you
Mr Cannon-If had been governor |
would have had the ballots "atched from
Mr. Stiness-The question is whether
,hn hoard wants to stultly itself by ad-
Knitting that there is feeling thst ~
cannot he trusted, and that It's secretary
cannot without six watchers
Mr Cannon-Would II not be IN JusuCe
TO the board to have Watchers appo'h'eu'
I'm view -ef this feeling!
Mr. Stiuess-I think the character or the
hoard and the confidence the pubhc re-
noses in them is sufficient answer TOT
that - -,.a,,s
chairman Fitz-If the governor wants
"a have the seals on the vault Market
80, or his secretary can sign them
NJ rawton-If the board has a secre-
,ar-, nhon, IL cannot trust II had better
yet rid of him. IL the ballots came heie
with the seals on the packages orohen We
would be justified In ASKING .le ieaSo r,,
Capt John j. Richards one OF tne Dei'
.,.at,, vatchers-There Is an interval or
time when the ballots are not under tne
eve of the secretary. who does not stay oS
them throughout the night
chairman Fitz-If the request or the
governor is granted both the governor
and the board will be the laughing stock
OF the state. ,,,,
Mr.. cannon-The governor has ALREADY
,oon criticised because he did not do as
Mayor Mccarthy has done I'm Providence,
and take steps to have the ballots WATCH
ed.
i Chairman Fitz-And IL Mayor McCar-
thy was to run for mayor To-Day ne
wouldn't get within 1000 of the number ot
votes received.
After Mr.. Cannon had predicted that X
the board did not grant the request IT
would be subjected to criticism, and
Chairman Fitz replied that he would be
willing to take II. the matter was &c
fcrred until the count OF the North Prov