The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-17
CARELESSNESS IN
COUNT Of VOTES
REVEALED
Owens Makes Net Gain of Ill in IA
Precincts, All the Errors, How
ever, Being Due To Incompetence
of Election Boards.
Indications Are That Thompsou's
Majority Will Be Cut Below 5000
When Recount Is Finished.

That gross carelessness attended
the counting OF the ballots in the re-
cent election was one OF the hrst
things that came to light after the
Owens Thompson mayoral recount,
started in the city hall, Thursday
morning. In IL precincts, scattered
through the first six wards, Owens
made a net gain of IL votes, which is
considered remarkable. but il serves
most to emphasize the necessity for
voting machines. The recount will
give the advocates of voting machines
plenty OF ammunition to fight any at
tempt that may be made to cancel
the bonds already authorized for the
purchase OF the machines.
Owens made his gains, Thursday,
through errors pure and simple.
There was no evidence OF crooked
ness, but plenty TO show that the cleo.
ton boards. In numerous instances,
were incompetent.
The biggest discrepancy unearthed
thus far was found in the ninth pre-
cinct OF the Sixth ward. where Owens
made net gain OF II votes over
Thompson, due 70, the fact that the
tally clerks had simply marked up
the credits and had taken no account
OF the debts The original returns
from this precinct gave Owens LA
and Thompson l54. when. as a matter
OF fact, owens should have been cred.
tied with $50 and Thompson with 113,
as the recount shows. This is a loss
OF Al for Thompson and gain OF 36
for Owens, making the latter's net
gain n.
aAn of
in the fourth of the Third and the
second of the Sixth, respectively.
Thompson gained a few here and
ing about "a
To oyerturn Thompson's majority OF
5.1S6, on the face of the returns,
owens would have TO make an aver
age gain OF "a votes per precinct. His
gains, Thursday morning, average
oniys~about per precinct. At this
rate. however. he will materially cut
down the majority; from present In
dications 1t will be considerably be
low 5000 when the recount Is fin
ished The big wards like the Sew
enteenth and Eighteenth may show
some very important changes.
While William B. Thompson did not
appear in person during the morning
mis- friends were on hand in force to
look after his interests in the recount.
John Nagel, chairman OF the Demo
cratic and county committee. was on
the job early and moved from one
table to another, keeping track OF the
count and the changes
The Democrats were a BIT surprised
when the discrepancy in the ninth OF
the Sixth was discovered.
Things like that will work both
ways" said Nagel We're liable TO
strike precinct almost any time
where such a mistake will work in
favor OF Thompson. | do not look for
any material changes in the total
when the recount is over
However, II was noticeable that the
Democrats watched Owens steady
gains with some uneasIness.
Proctor X was on the scene early
and was a very busy person
"Who Is your attorney he was
asked.
II am replied Owens, proudly.
A number OF his friends we're on
hand to help him keep tab on the
count. however,
The recount is being conducted on
the fourth floor OF the city hall. There
are six long tables and each crew Is
taking a different ward. Rapid prog
ress Is being made. At the present
rate the recount should be finished In
a week.