Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-09
.ELECTIONEFRING
BY BOYS LIKELY
TO COST VOTES
SCHOOL BOND INJUNCTION
SUIT SHOWS IRREGULARlTY
VALIDITY OF ELECTION WILL
NOT BE AFFECTED
Testimony Shows No Laws Were VIo-
lated by Judges at Polls and
Voters Observed Rules
Strictly

That the enthusiastic efforts of stu
dents and parents to obtain votes in
favor of the school bonds at the Jan
uary election may result in the throw
ing out of two at least of the 81 pre-
cinets where polling places were es-
tablfshed, became apparent yesterday
in the trial of the injunction suits IN
stituted by T. J. Spencer to prevent
the issue of the bonds. Should this be
done. it was stated by attorneys yes
terday, the validity of the election VIII
not be affected, With the exceptions
mentioned the testimony Of witnesses
so far has shown fully that the pro-
visions of the election law were COM
plied with, the electioneering that was
carried on being by school boys, whose
Knowledge of the existing limited
school facilities made their action IN
a large measure excusable.
Nineteen witnesses were examined
bv Attorneys Hiatt and Selby of plain
tiff's counsel yesterday, and cross-eX-
amined by Hartley Shaw, chief deputy
district attorney, and Emmett II. VIII
son, deputy city attorney, and when
the session ended it was stated by Al
tornev Selby that the plaintiff prob
ablv would close Thursday evening.
Those examined yesterday were p.
6. Field. j. A. Craig, j. Gavony, c. H.
Schrin. George b. Seekatz, Louis
Never. Elmer p. Gregory, Holmes B.
Brown, George Willard, S. H. Kingery,
y. w. Hanrihan, John A. Hermes, }.
w. Tibbetts. James b. Haight, John
Wilson, Scott Smith, William Nichol-
son. Charles C. Bartel and K. A.
Leighton.
Say Election Rules Observed
The majority of these persons served
as election officers and they testified
that the rules regarding the conduct OF
elections were observed. George b.
Seekatz. a voter in precinct No. rs, said
he had witnessed what took place in
the polling place, and that ample oppor-
tunitv was given to voters to guard
their votes with secrecy. Elmer b.
Gregory, who acted as clerk in precinct
No. 4, made similar replies to questions,
adding that many of the voters NAM :
tested no inclination to conceal their
votes.
Holmes B. Brown, an election officer
in precinct No. 81, stated that the ma
ioritv of the voters knew what they
wanted and Indicated their choice or
ballots without any effort at conceal
ment.
Two instances where election officers
opened ballots were recited, one by ..
w. Tibbetts, 1879 South Avenue 81, VINO
stated he called the officers attention
to the indiscretion, but was told he mad
folded his ballot improperly.
James B. Haight, who voted in pre-
cinct No T. also stated that an election
officer opened his ballot, but the fact
apparentIy left little impression on his
mind. as he could give no description OF
the officer 81 didn't care much II any
one did see how l voted" he said,
laughingly.
Says Voting Space Ample
Louis Meyer, 766 South Los Angeles
street, who served as judge in precinct
SO. said ample space in livery stable
was furnished for the polling place So
far as he could judge. he said, all bal
let's were furnished to voters and none
was marked where they could be seen
by those in the place.
'"Did you see any boys or men
around the polling placer asked At
torney Selby.
Eyes. there were some boys there.
They were filled with cusiosity-they
were just boys. you know"
"Were they keeping talley?"
"Well they had books and pencils,
but they might have been figuring out
a problem in mathematics. Other peo-
pie passed in and out of the stable and
called to us asking how the election
was going, but, of course, we didn't
know
William Nicholson, an election officer
in precinct q, testified that the cleo
ton rules were adhered to strictly.
Similar testimony was given by other
witnesses. The hearing will be re-
stunned today.