The Washington herald., 1916-11-09
PARTY LEADERS
PLAN RECOUNT
AS LAST HOPE
National Committees, Facing
Defeat, Prepare for Re-
view of Ballots.
FIRST MOVE In CONCORD
New Hampshire City Again to
Count Votes to Satisfy
Democrats.
COMPLAINTS FROM HARTFORD
Defeated Candidate in Senate Race
Urges Probe of Alleged Con-
necticut Irregularities.
FROM HARTFORD

(By the International News seryiee.)
New York, Nov. $50 close is the race
for the Presidency that both National
committees, facing the possibility of de-
feat. are planning recounts Of the vote
for Presidential electors in States where
the pluralities are suspiciously small.
From Concord, N. H., comes word that
the Democratic National Committee had
instructed the State committee to apply
for a recount of the ballots. The secre-
tary of state, Edwin C. Bean, announced
tonight that Hughes plurality was ISL.
He did not rive the vote for the candi-
dates It was immediately after Mr..
Beams announcement that the State COM
mittee served notice of its intention to
demand a recount. Its notice was sup
plemented by q statement that all the
expenses had been guaranteed by the Ma
tional committee.
From Hartford. Conn, comes word that
2 defeated candidate for State senator has
asked that the vote for Presidential cleo
tors in the entire State be impounded,
pending the investigation of certain al
legged Irregularities in Fairfield County
This county includes Bridgeport. where
there is a tremendous new population, due
to the demand for munitions
Only twice in the history of the United
states has the electoral vote been in ques-
tion. The first time was in the case of
Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson In
hat case there was a tie, and the election
was thrown into the House of Represent
atives. The second time was when an
electoral commission had to be appointed
TO determine whether Samuel ]. TiIden
or Rutherford B. Hayes was entitled to
The Presidency.
Charges of Fraud.
Out of the Hays-Tilden campaign many
charges of fraud grew, and popular feel
ing rose to a high pitch.
situation such as the present one. II
contests are entered upon seriously, prom
ises long and bitter struggle.
Despite every effort to hasten decisions
IN courts, it is possible that the legal
status of electoral votes from some of
the States whose vote is in question
might not be determined until after
March T. This would produce an un-
precedented situation.
In the Hays-Tilden controversy, both
sides were in compromising mood. So
the eXpedient of an electoral commission
was resorted to. This commission had
no basis in law. Even President Wilson
refers to 1t as extra-constitutional
Whether. in the event of inability to
contest the Republican and Democratic
managers wdeld agree upon some such
expedient cannot be predicted.
Chairman Mccormack was visited by
Attorney General Gregory, Delaney
Nichol. and John B. Staunchfield. The
presence of all these lawyers gave rise
to the report that contests were being
planned on a large scale.
Chairman Mccormick sent out this
telegram to every State and country
chairman in States where the vote ap-
peared to be close:
President Wilson will be reelected.
Our opponents are desperate. You must
personally see that the ballot boxes are
guarded and protected and that nothing
be left undone to safeguard the victory" I"
Mr.. Mccormick was asked whether his
telegram and the presence Of the lawyers
indicated plan to force a recount ~
several Of the States. He said: ''Of course,
IL there Is a recount of the ballots we
shall need the best counsel obtainable."