The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1909-11-24
WILL CONTEST
THE ELECTION
Breckenridge Democrats
So Decide.
SPOILED DALlOTS MAIN CLAIM
Candidacy of J. c. BrOdie VIII
Probably Cause His Par
ty to Lose.
The breckenridge News says:

The Democratic candidates met at
Hardinshurg last Saturday and by
unanimous consent agreed to file con-
tests In the late election in which
each of them was defeated by small
majority. The filing of the contest
created quite a stir among the Re-
publicans, though they had anticipat-
ed such a move on the part Of the
Democrats, yet they were not quite
certain that the contest would be
made o.. t - -..,-
Ever since the canvassing board an
nounced the result of the final count,
the Democrats have talked of contest
ing. Not until last Saturday, howev-
or, was final decision reached The
services of Messrs. Murray & Murray
were secured the day after the cleo
ton, and ever since that time re-
ports of Irregularities in the election
have come to light and the Demo-
Gratis, basing their faith on these
things, feel that they will win in the
final outcome. Nine separate peti-
lions were filed, each of which set out
clearly the grounds on which the con-
test is based. The Republican candi-
dates were made defendants and they
are required to file their answer in
twenty days. The use of money wills
key and other unlawful methods are
charged against the Republicans.
While this is a serious charge, and
one upon which the law fixes heavy
/ enalty. It is not the main one ON
which the Democrats will rely to gain
the contest. The counting of two or
three hundred illegal and mutilated
ballots for the Republican ticket is til
most important charge alleged against
them. The people will remember that
the name of ]. c. Brodie, the Repub-
lican candidate for Circuit Clerk, was
left off the ballot, and the courts, de-
cided that it could not be put on, not
having been certified to the clerk in
time. This blunder was made by the
Republicans, as they freely admitted
before the election. But in order to
reinstate their fallen brother, and
somehow fixed him up for the Repub-
lican voter on election day, they gave
out instructions that his name should
be written on the ballot. This was
done with pen and ink in many Of the
precincts. and thus many hundreds Of
Republican ballots were thereby mu-
tilated and defaced. Notwithstanding
this, they were counted for the Re-
publican ticket and over the protest
of Democratic officers of the cleo
ton. Upon an investigation by the
courts, these ballots will be thrown
out and that will leave clear ma
jOrity of the legal ballots cast to he
counted for the Democrats. There is
no other key to the situation. It.
will score a big victory for the Dem
ocrats on a final showing case. The
are restless and uneasy
over the outcome because it is evil
dent that on a fair count of the
ballots that should be counted legal
ly, the Democrats have won. Be-
sides Messrs. Murray & Murray, the
Democrats have secured other legal
counsel that will assist in the in
vestigation and the interest in the
is growing throughout the
county. Not alone here, but polite
ians. in other parts of the State are
anxious to see the final outcome.