Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-12-20
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Especial Dispatch 10 she Morning Jonrnni.I
Santa Fe, n. NJ, Dec. ly,-With
disputes affecting the vote IN several
precincts yet to be decided the elee-
tion of several state officials still
hangs la the balance and the canvass
ing board viii be busy for the rest or
the week before its labors are con"
cmded. The entire time OF the morn
ing ana afternoon sessions OF the
board was taken up today with the
consideration OF The question OF ac-
cepting or rejecting the returns from
clayton precinct of Union county. IL
is claimed that 5fl votes were east IN
rhis precinct and that when the luds-
es opened the ballot huN 5Sl bai'"le
were found therein, The election OF
ficials who refuse TO certify the re-
turns allege fraud ana Intimidation
The poll books and tally sheets were
sent In to the territorial secretary
unsigned ana the canvasAlns boafd
Immediately summoned the eleoloh
officinls OF the precinct 10 santa re,
There a division IN the election
bourd appeared. two republicans films
"a statement alleging gross frauds.
The other member OF the election
board. IA democrat, filed statement
to the contrary expressing his Will
ingness to certify the returns,
Attorney g. -. cleveland ror thG
democrats opened the argument TINS
Iafternoon. declaring that the election
officials were prohibited by law from
refusing to certify the retufns ana
asking the canNusslng board 70 sum
mon tho election Judges before irahu
compel them TO sign the returns, on
pain Of being hailed into the district
court t. face a penalty of two years
imprisonment or heavy fine tor
their delinquency. lie Insisted the
canynssing board must canvass the
clayton returns before its existence
could be- legally terminated
Judge A, Is. ran, for the repuhll-
cans, hold the diumetrically opposite
view that the election officials coulu
not sign the returns without viola
ton Of law since he held the ten eN-
ira votes were prlma facie evidence
uf franC
Judge Fan maintained that the Of
nclals were required to certify only 20
the number of legal votes cast lie
held that the canyHssins hoard might
reject the Clayton returns, read the
republican statement alleging fraud
land cited numerous similar cases
| from other states in rupport OF ms
ipustion.
r. Il. Catron for the republicans.
aud Ncil B. Field for the democrats,
closed respectively Mr. Field vigor-
jously asserted that Mr.. Falls argu-
ments an supported the democratic
position declared that the functions
/ OF the canyassiue board We're entirely
ministerial and that it had no power
I to hear testimony or decide upon
points of law Mr., Field wanted the
lmntter taken directly TO the district
court, to allow it to determine Off
Icially the duties OF the hoard aud the
election officials, and If violation of
| the election laws appeared, To punish
/ such violation.
/ Mr.. Field submitted brief and the
! board took the matter under advise
neut a decision is expected tomor-
/ row or neXt day.
| The remainder of the week will he
taken up with consideration of the
| disputes from Melrose, Curry county
land Reserve and Carthage. Soeorro
IcomtN From Reserve no poll books