The Detroit times., 1915-04-29
Cro0kedness in "Batty"
McGraw's Precinct
Being Sifted
CRIMINAL ACTION
IF FACTS WARRANT
Returns Changed Out
side of Voting Booth
Is Theory

Ward Macauley's complaint that a
change was made in the return on
the vote In the recent election on
the aldermanic pay increase, after
the votes were counted and entered
on the tally sheets In the ninth pre-
cinct OF the Fourth ward. the pre-
cinct TO which Bartholomew A. Nc
Graw, better known as "batty" Nc
Graw. bears the same relation that
-Billy" Boushaw does 20 the frst OF
the First. 10 In the hands OF Assist
ant Prosecuting Attorney VOORHEES,.
Mr.. VOORHEES, says that he VIII
consult his chief. Prosecutor Jas
nowski. and II the evidence war
rants, criminal action VIII be taken
against somebody.
Just who that somebody may be,
n a problem. Mr. Macauley says
that the entry on the tally sheets
must have been changed while they
were on their way 60 the city hall
and the county building. a member
OF the election board was assigned
TO carry them to each place. The
board consists OF Thomas l.. Lind
say, chairman. Batty McGraw. John
.teardon, David Lindsay, =. j. ham
ert and Ward Macauley
Ward Macauley is the reform
member OF the board There were
three reform candidates in the last
election. but Mr.. Macauley Is the
only one who landed. One OF the
candidates was Charles NJ. Carson
who stirred up trouble for the cleo
tion board. last year, by demanding
an Investigation OF it--an investisa
ton which was defeated by the fact
that the common council was never
able 10 assemble Sc members for 8
trial OF the board. following an opin
ion by the corporation counsel thai
no trial could be held without a fnl
attendance OF the aldermen.
Il don't know how I came To b
elected" says Mr.. Mncauley. per
haps they couldn't divide the votes
so as TO beat all three OF vs., ant
one OF US had 10 get In. Perhaps
they thought was a nice little Eel
low who would let them have thei1
own way"
Mr. Macauley's investigation o
the tally and return sheets I'm tn
city clerks once showed that HI
amendment had been credited will
its votes in It's favor and 50 agains
H. The tally sheet showed that s.
votes had been erased from tn
no" column and added 20 the yes.
Mr.. Macauley remembered that AFT
er the votes had been counted. tn
tally sheet showed just the revers'
Of this-s4 votes for the amendmen
and lt9 against II. The return
which are locked In the ballot Dor
In the custody Of the superintendent
Of police. will bear out his conter
ton. Mr.. Macauley says. for Their
was no possibility OF altering tina
sheet. since he saw IL locked an,
sealed In the box.
II suppose they thought the,
could get away with II. since nc
body sees the returns that ar
locked IN the boxes. except In cas-
Of recount" said Mr.. Macauley.
1T would be very simple mat
ter for a number OF precinct chair
men TO faisify the returns OF nj
election. They could make enougl
changes In the tally sheets. on thei
way 10 the city clerks once. to e,
feet a big difference IN the totals
and would not be found out unles
someone became inquisitive. as
did.
Something ought 10 be don,
about II. II we are to have our right
as voters. In bringing the matte
To the attention OF the prosecuting