The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-27

An1CdEO reSuileu III tiiS SiSSeioH VI VI S-t' ization candidates in practically every district where there was contest, ac- rording to unoffiical returns fairly com pIete in many instances at hand at a late hour tonight.
 Claims that at least & of the 90 dele gates will be for Taft were made by State Chairman William Barnes, Jr, and John W. Hutchinson, director of the eastern branch of the national Taft bureau.
 Wants Another Primary
 Chairman Charles H. Duell of the Roose welt city committee said the primaries characterized by "a complete break down of the election machinery had been a farce" He asserted an effort would be made by the Roosevelt committee to get "a real primary in this city with a full expression of republican opinion"
 ''Governor Dix should be called upon to convene the legislature in special ses sion declared Chairman Duell in his statement late tonight, flor the purpose of passing a presidential primary law so that there may be an honest express sion of the wishes of the voters. In no surer way could Governor Dix meet the wishes of the people"
 1nalrman Duell 5 statement dS to lus workings of the primary law were based in part upon the mix up in the distri- button of the primary ballots, which old campaigners said were the worst within memory here.
 Samuel s. Koenig, chairman of the re- publican county committee, speaking for the organization alluded but briefly to the operation of the new law
 The primaries of New York county gave the voters an opportunity to ex- press honestly and accurately their prefer ences for presidential nominee" MT koeng declared.
 Koenig's Estimate
 ] to the result of the balloting Chais- m nAKpenis said:
 with 132 election districts missing, President Taft in the primary contest in New York county today received g, le3 and Colonel Roosevelt 14.011. It was the most remarkable victory ever achieved ty | the organization when we consider that Colonel Roosevelt is a resident of New York. We hope now that the primary contest is over and that all republicans will unite in support of the President
 The primary elections in this city
 
 made chaotic by one of the worst ballot mixups known for many years. and re- turns from election were considerably delayed
 A Confusion at Polls The primaries opened at D. m. amidst great confusion owing to the delay in delivering the ballots in many voting districts.
 ,l.o ci.I ti,a lice officially reported that the ballots designed for at IS polling places did not arrive until about p. m.. and in the three hour wait some early corners A left the polls. The polls closed at p. m. There was further embarrassment be- ] cause the green ballots for the demo- l cratic primaries were delivered to many places instead of the republican pink ones. It well into the evening be- fore the mix-ups were strengthened out.
 President Britt of the board of cleo tions declared the delay was due largely to the eleventh hour litigation which the Roosevelt committee began over the posi- ton of delegates on the ballots. resulting in court orders which handicapped the .s'printer
 in some instances only about half an hour after they had opened, on account of the delay in the delivery of ballots. Roosevelt supporters said that the mix up would lay the ground for a contest as to the validity of the elections
 1t was the first trial of the new pri- mary law and the working of it had been looked to with special interest on q this account Ballots in many of the |, districts ranged from ten to IA feet long and so great had been the haste. to get them out that in some cases they were In sections. there having been no time to paste them together.
 Democrats Not Troubled
 The democrats who elected delegates only to their state convention and mem- bers of organization committees, had iit- tie trouble but republicans, independence A league voters and prohibition voters in s1 1some instances were unable to vote. Not Notwithstanding the confusion there was no disorder of importance, voters venting their complaints in ridicule of the pri- mary system.
 County Chairman Koenig declared to- night his organization was in no wise to blame for the ballot mix-up as the ballot delivery was in the hands of the board of elections. The republican coun- ty. committee issued the following state ment on the matter:
 In every case where it was reported that the official ballots had not been delivered the inspectors were advised that unofficial ballots might be used. For this purpose inspectors were advised to send to the nearest polling places having sample ballots containing the names or The candidates and to use them In the same manner as official ballots. No per ron should have loxt his vote by reason Y of the absence of the official ballot Koenig Reports to Taft County Chairmsn koenig late tonight salled the White House on the long dis lance telephone and told secretary 1illes that President Taft had swept New York county and that not more han three or four election districts lad given pluralities for the Roosevelt nominees
 In 26 of the 43 congressional districts If the state there were no contests These districts included those of Brook [A .yn, Long Island and most of the up hstate districts
 Taft Claims Delegates While in most cases the control of he district organization is claimed by !yiends of President Taft. in few in-
 sCcNrlNuED ON FACE ,s