Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-01

will thus be kept As has been heretofore
pointed out in this report about thirty five
Of the affidavits were defective In this par
tcular
Opinion 81 CITY Attorney.
In reference to the ninth charge that at
the primary election in 1910. when the
question arose In Omaha as to what vot-
ers would be permitted to vote on account
Of their failure to register. that the mayor.
city clerk and city attorney had meet
ing and these gentlemen determined that
certificates Of election could be issued at
any time before the city clerk. your COM
mlttee finds, that the city attorney did
render such an opinion. Your committee -
I'm doubt as 60 whether or not Il places
the same construction should be placed
upon the law as that placed by the CIV
attorney Of Omaha, but we think that &c
law should be amended so as to make II
plain and unambiguous
In addition 10 the foregoing specific
election in reference to other matters that
were brought out during the investigation.
and submit the following report I'm refer
ence to the same.
Your COMMITTEES did not make an investl-
cation In reference to all the wards I'm the
city Of Omaha to ascertain whether or
not there had been Illegal voting by re-
peating, but did make careful eXamino-
tion Of one precinct the Fifth In the Third
ward, and the evidence tends TO show that
in eight instances in that precinct repeat
ing was done
During the progress Of the investigation
the question arose in reference to a large
number of Greeks voting in the Third ward
OF Omaha. Your committee very care
fully investigated this question and find
that there are large number Of these
men living I'm that ward; that they are
employed by the railroads as laborers and
In track building and repairs; that during
a large part OF the time they sleep In bunk
cars, some times In one county and some
times in another, and some times are
working in Omaha at track building and
repairing; that when in Omaha they some
times sleep at one place and some times
at another TO suit their convenience or
their ability to secure room; that they
conEregate In large numbers at different
places among which is No. 5l1 South
Thirteenth street where they get their
mail, making these places their head" 'lar-
ters, eating their meals there and spec ing
much Of their leisure time there whine in
Omaha. Your committee Is in doubt
whether or not these men were legally
entitled TO register or vote from those
places
As above stated, your committee is some
but we believe that the authorities at
Omaha should carefully investigate those
csses and should see that the election
laws are rigidly enforced. and II any such
votes are Illegal should not allow them TO
be cast at the election
Rubber Bands.
During the progress OF the investigation
evidence was introduced satisfying your
committee that rubber bands were placed
upon the voting machines in some Of the
lecture for what purpose this was done.
Your committee Is satisfied from the evil
dence and from personal tests OF the voting
machines that Il did not materially affect
the result-if IT effected 1t at all.
Your committee considered Otner matters
called to its attention during the inVestiga-
ton among which was evidence as to the
over-zealousness Of certain Judges of cleo
tiou in assisting ignorant voters to vote.
We know OF no law who can be passed
which will be a better safeguard against
such abuses in the future, bue believe the
remedy lies in the selection or better
class OF judges and clerks OF election, IL
possible.
Conclusion,
In conclusion your committee desires to
say that VT examined ia witnesses in maxi
ing our investigation; that those witnesses
came from all walks of life In the city OF
Omaha and were engaged i'm nearly all
kinds Of business; that we heard both d.
rect and hearsay evidence, and have given
all the veidences a careful cOnsidera uon,
and that the foregoing is our best judg-
ment in reference TO these matters sub
mitted to us for investigation.
We submit herewith a copy OF all the
evidence taken and ask that the same may
be made a matter Of public record and be
left open for the inspection of anybody de-
string TO investigate the same. We believe
that the officials Of Omaha by careful in
vestlgation and by vigorous prosecution
could prevent the recurrence Of any frauds
of all legal voters i'm that city and punish
those who illegally vote.