The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1915-08-13
Committee CanvasSeS Returns.

At the meeting of the Democratic
Executive Committee of the county,
August a, the vote at all the precincts
was taken from the tally sheets as
made out by the clerks and as certified
to by all the officers of the several pre-
cincts. Not single ballot was count
ed at any precinct that was not counted
by the judges of that precinct. Some
question was raised about the vote of
several persons at Providence box, ac-
cordingly the Committee adjourned over
until August 5, to look into the matter.
Three of the officers of that precinct
were before the Committee and testi-
fled as to the votes in question and
while the Committee was a unit in
thinking that some votes were cast that
were not legally entitled to 90 into the
box. yet majority of the Committee
deemed it unwise not to count the re-
turns from that box in with the others,
however, Mr. Groce Carver, one men,
ber OF the Committee, filed his protest
in writing against counting the votes at
that box. Below is what Mr.. Carver
stated:
Executive Committee, Democratic Par
ty, Grenada County:
Mr.. Chairman:-It is, and must be
clear to each and every member Of this
Committee, that SOME illegal votes
were cast and counted at the precinct
in question. This being true, cannot,
in justice to all, pass over this patent
violation of the Primary Election Laws
of the State:
Further. feel it my duty to protest
against the action of the majority of
this Committee in this regard.
If we can condone, pass over, shut
up this offense against the law, how
far can we not go in upholding such ac-
tions? Certainly it appears to me that
there is no limit to our POWER.
Should l judge by my feelings and
not as justice dictates, l wauld let the
matter pass as the Majority seem to
wish it to pass, but these reasons arise
before me and l must answer to my
own conscience thereon.
l. If we condone the casting and
counting of four or five illegal votes,
we can condone, with equal justice the
right to cast hundreds Of illegal votes
thereby destroying the will Of the Peo-
pie and utterly multiplying the Primary
Election Laws of our State. The mere
number of illegal votes is not the ques
ton, the principle is at issue and much
more than the casting out of ONE boz
is at stake.
2. do not believe that by smother
ing or shutting up this illegal act anc
warning the offenders, we can justify
ourselves, neither is this carrying Oh
the Law.
3. While it is to be sadly regrettee
that some innocent men might suffer
ii we carry out the Law, vet rcertain !,
no 0ue, save those directly interessea
it seems to me, would have the righ
and power to overlook the illegal vote,
cast and counted.
a. 40 not want to appear as critic
of my fellow members of this Commit
tee, all of whom l highly respect, for
am sure that each thinks that he is do
ing that which is best, but canno
reconcile myself to the idea, that EX
PEDlENCY is better than justice W.
are, as take it, Executors of the Law
rather than cOmpromisers of conditions
We ought not by any action on ou
part say to all, that any man can vot,
in Grenada County Primaries whethe
he complies with the law or not.
Where the facts are PLAN, justic,
and the right way clear, expedienc,
cannot and should not take the place o.
Law
Again | assure the members of tn,
Committee of my highest respect ant
sincerely regret that we cannot act a
a unit in this matter.
Very respectfully,
Groce Carver.
Member Executive Com. from Distric
Number Five.
BY written request of one of the can
didates left out in first primary, ther,
was special meeting of the Committe OF
the 11th, at which time the vote a
Providence was recounted for sheriff
and for chancery clerk which coun
showed one vote less for Mr.. d. A