Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-01-30

best Judgment is that I voted for Mr..
Crane. We contend, Mr. Chairman,
that that vote should not be counted for
Mr.. Crane, but deducted from his total.
The three automobile votes, z as Mr..
Pollock named them, Senator Purcell
did not claim for Mr. Washburn He
thought that the charge Of fraud on the
part Of Mr. Wamberg unfounded; that
he did all he could to open the polls and
that it would have been possible for the
three gentlemen who left without vot-
ing to have exercised that right had
/ they so chosen.
The Beckerjeck ballot, where it was
claimed the voter signed his name, and
the Judge Of elections testified he: saw no
name, was briefly discussed. There il
no testimony, Mr. Purcell said, TO
show whether he voted for Mr.. Wash
burn or Mr.. Crane, but as he was 4
democrat, it was presumed he voted for
Washburn. The testimony is too weak
for consideration. Z
ss The votes from Clearfeld township.
alleged to have been cast for Mr.. Wash
burn by Beattl and Christianson, receiiv-
ed considerable comment from the
speaker. "I am free to confess that in
solving this matter for myself, those
two votes give me much trouble. Ii is
true that the testimony shows that 1lei-
thers Of them were citizens Of the United
States; that neither had right to vote
It says further that without any require
nent, any force or persuasion, those two
men voluntarily came up before an of
flcer and testified under oath that each
Of them had violated the election law
and committed a crime. There was no
power on earth to force those men to
testify and incriminate themselves Now
just look. Here is an election; it is
over. Here is a contest and here comes
two men who claim they are democrats
and voted the democratic ticket, and that
neither Of them had right to do So !;
but without any consideration, appar-
emily, they both walked up willingly and
testified under oath that each Of them
had committed a crime. Do rational
men usually do that? Do men who
have regard for themselves, their family
or their reputation, voluntarily go in a
place and swear they have committed a
crime when no power on earth could
force them to !? It is against the in
stiilcts Of self preservation Now. fellow
senator's, testimony of that kind should
DE taken with a great deal Of allow
ance. Z
+ Senator Kraabel:: Did not John Of
hcer commit the same crime when he
voted Illegally r.
Answer IL he knowingly voted ii,
the wrong place, he would be guilty.
Senator Kraabel If he had lived
there twenty years, he ought to have
known IN what precinct he voted.
he speaker admitted that it was Sc
to be presumed, but claimed the Officer
lease was not the same, as, having been
called as a witness BY Mr.. Crane, his
honesty and integrity were vouched for
and protected. b.
The last vote considered was that Of
Mr.. Berg who voted in one county while
4 T4 s. +
having homestead in another Mr.
Purcell made the point that this would
initiate against the voter at the other
end of the line it mi ght be cited against
HIM when he came to prove up Oh his
homestead--but that he could not be
prosecuted for illegal voting, as he
might have a wife and family living ii,
one county and still have no intention
Of making his home there.
Senator Regan wished to know if
there was positive testimony as to how
MT. Berg voted, and the answer was
that it was presumed to be democratic
vote as Mr.. Berg was supposed to be-
long to that party
MI. Purcedll closed his remarks with
thea glowing tribute to both principals
in the contest, and made final plea that
the case be determined upon the evi-
dence and the law, which all seem anx-
ious to do but evidently are not unani-
nous as to what the evidence and law
are.
Senator Pierce moved recess be TAX
en- until 1890 the following day.
8